Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson could be in line for a significant pay rise - and become the NFL's highest paid non-quarterback ever in the process.
Jefferson was drafted by the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft with the 22nd overall pick. Since then he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best receivers across the entire NFL.
The 23-year-old is currently contracted with the Vikings for the next two seasons until 2025. And according to ESPN , the NFC North franchise is going to prioritise handing Jefferson an extension, which could make him among the highest paid players across the NFL.
The Vikings exercised the fifth-year option in Jefferson’s contract back in April, with the option worth $19.7m. The receiver originally signed a four-year deal worth $13.1m, but now reports are claiming he culd be set for a big pay rise.
The likes of Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill have caused the wide receiver pay market to increase. ESPN claim this could see Jefferson handed a big raise to become the highest paid non-quarterback in the league.
Aaron Donald is currently the highest-paid non-quarterback player with annual earnings of $31m. It’s been reporter that, should the Vikings hand Jefferson a new deal, he could earn more than that to smash the record.
The 2022 season saw Jefferson have one of the best years for receivers across the NFL. He led the entire league for total receptions with 128 as well as total yards with 1,809, as well as scoring eight touchdowns.
The Vikings are going through a transitional off-season, after letting go of veteran wide receiver Adan Thielen and linebacker Eric Kendricks. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted at the NFL Combine in February that it was a “high priority” for the team to organise an extension for Jefferson.
"I don't want to be the Vikings' GM without that guy on our team," Adofo-Mensah said when asked about signing Jefferson to a long-term deal.
"So it's a high priority. We've got to make sure we do in the order that we can do it in, obviously, given all of our other decisions we have to make."
