The Minnesota Vikings might need to break one of their own rules in order to hang on to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has reported the Vikings have a team rule in which they do not guarantee money in a long-term contract beyond the first season.
In an appearance on KFAN radio in Minneapolis with Vikings announcer Paul Allen, Florio mentioned that the Vikings will likely struggle to keep Jefferson unless they compromise on that rule.
They’ve only made an exception for that rule once before, according to Florio, doing so for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“I can confidently say that JJ is very patient, but his patience will have its limits,” Florio said. “The problem continues to be not the dollars, but the structure. The Vikings are one of the few teams that will not fully guarantee beyond the first year of the contract for anyone other than Kirk Cousins.
“If you’re not gonna make that same exception for Justin Jefferson, you’re gonna have a problem with Justin Jefferson eventually.”
If that’s the barrier the Vikings are facing in keeping Jefferson long term, it would make sense for them to compromise on this rule.
The Vikings offense would likely suffer without the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, who hauled in 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns that season.
This past season, his total numbers declined because he missed seven games due to injury. He still had a 1,000-yard receiving season and averaged 15.8 yards per reception, which was up from 2022.
Another report from NFL.com suggested that Jefferson wants clarity on the Vikings quarterback situation before he signs a contract extension.
Cousins is a free agent this offseason and the Vikings don’t have a young quarterback ready to replace the veteran should he choose to leave.
Jefferson is a huge Kirk Cousins supporter and it’s clear to see why.
The wide receiver has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with Cousins throwing him the ball.
The Vikings own the No. 11 pick in the upcoming draft, putting them in position to possibly move up for a quarterback or perhaps take one from the second group of signal callers.