Photos from Week 9 of the NFL Season featuring the Washington Commanders vs the Minnesota Vikings from FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland, November 6, 2022. (All-Pro Reels / Joe Glorioso)
Justin Jefferson has delighted Minnesota Vikings fans by signing a new deal with the team and in doing so, becomes the highest paid non-quarterback player in the NFL. His new four-year contract, which is worth a reported $35 million per year edges previous record holder Nick Bosa’s contract, which averaged out at $34 million per year. Jefferson’s commitment to the Vikings is huge news for the Minnesota outfit and provides a major boost to the team ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Strong 2023 campaign despite injury
Jefferson endured an injury ravaged 2023 campaign, but still showed in the matches that he suited up in that he is one of, if not the best wide receivers currently in the NFL. Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury in the 27-20 home defeat to eventual Superbowl champions Kansas City Chiefs and would go on to miss seven matches.
There was further reason for concern when Jefferson had to come off in the 3-0 win over Las Vegas Raiders, which is the lowest scoring match in the NFL in 16 years. Play was halted after Jefferson took a big hit from Raiders’ safety Marcus Epps, immediately clutching his right lower back as the wide receiver lay stricken on the ground. However, this hit did not rule him out of any further matches and JJ went on to finish the season with over 1000 receiving yards, despite the lengthy absence due to injury.
Since becoming the 22nd overall draft pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Jefferson has posted astonishing receiving numbers over the past four seasons. Finishing in 19th place for yards received in the 2023 season is no mean feat for a player that nearly missed half the season due to injury, but Vikings fans will hope that Jefferson can replicate his 2022 season form next season, when he topped the charts for receiving yards (1809). Jefferson will look back on the 2023 season with mixed emotions. The spell on the sidelines was undoubtedly a tough one, but in the matches he featured in, he still showed why the Vikings rely on him so much.
More to come with Jefferson contract boost
While there was swift contemplation of trading Jefferson, the wide receiver’s value to the Vikings was underlined by the contract extension. It was a difficult 2023 campaign for Kevin O’Connell’s charges, missing out on the play-offs by finishing 3rd in the NFC North division. However, with a fully fit Jefferson with a fresh contract, the odds with bookmakers like this Dogecoin supported platform on the Vikings having an improved season could be healthy. Many sports books currently have the Vikings down as outsiders to claim the Superbowl, but certain sports betting operators might see Jefferson’s contract extension as a sign of better things to come for the Vikings in 2024.
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