The Vikings have reportedly been working to sign star receiver Justin Jefferson to a long-term extension before the start of the regular season.
The reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson is under contract through the 2024 season after Minnesota exercised the wideout’s fifth-year option. But with the market rate for receivers only going up, it would likely benefit the Vikings to strike a deal sooner rather than later.
Jefferson was asked about the state of negotiations in his Thursday press conference.
“I’m not really too sure 100 percent on that,” he said. “I’m just here to play football like always and leave all that other stuff up to them.
“Of course I would want a contract to be done, but at the end of the day, it’s all up to them and what ownership wants to do with that.”
Jefferson added that it’s up to the Vikings if they want to continue negotiations into the season, in part because he lets his agent handle things.
“My focus is on playing football and doing something that I’m good at,” Jefferson said. “I’m good at being on that field and catching the football and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Jefferson said, “It’s part of the game” when asked if it’s difficult to disconnect from the negotiating process.
“You can’t really say you don’t think about it and you can’t really say you do think about it,” Jefferson said. “There’s a part of me that thinks about it and a part of me that doesn’t. Of course, I love the game and I want to be a part of the team and here with my teammates. So, that’s the main focus that I have. Let everybody else handle their jobs. So, my goal is to win this season and to be the best receiver like always.”
He has been the best since he was drafted, recording 324 catches for 4,825 yards with 25 touchdowns in 50 games. Last year, Jefferson led the league with 128 catches and 1,890 yards, easily setting an NFL record for most yards in a player’s first three years.
“I’ve done something that no one has ever done in the history of the game, so my situations are a little bit different than everyone else’s,” Jefferson said. “Of course, I’m going into my fourth year trying to talk about contract two years early. So there’s so many different parts that are going toward it. That’s why I kind of leave it up to my agent and keep my mindset on the field. And that’s what I continue to do. And of course I want to start out this week good with Tampa.”
