Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson has seen two wide receivers pass him as the highest-paid players at the position, with the latest being Seattle Seahawks‘ Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
On March 23,ESPN reported, citing sources, that the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba agreed on a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
Jefferson was at one point the highest-paid wideoutbutCincinnati Bengals‘ Ja’Marr Chase and now Smith-Njigba have surpassed him. So, what does this all have to do with Jefferson?
Well, in an article published on March 24,Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport wrote that he believes Jefferson could be one of the upcoming wideouts who reset the market, as he predicts the Vikings wideout will get a four-year, $176 million contract.
“Minnesota is going to be restructuring Jefferson’s current deal on an annual basis anyway,“ Davenport wrote. “Extending the 27-year-old offers more financial flexibility, at least for now. The Vikings need to prioritize the present cap picture as well as the future. It’s not like Jefferson hasn’t clearly established that he’s worth the money. In six years, he has never failed to hit 1,000 receiving yards.
“Even after last year’s down season with inconsistent quarterback play, he is still averaging over 90 receiving yards per game. He has averaged over 1,400 yards and seven touchdown catches per season. With all due respect to Smith-Njigba, if he’s worth $42 million and change a year, Jefferson is worth $44 million.”
Vikings Get Keon Coleman Prediction Heading Into the Draft
Jefferson is the No. 1 guy in Minnesota while Jordan Addison is the No. 2 guy, butthere’s question marks as to who is the team’s WR3 after the departure of Jalen Nailor in free agency this offseason.
In a March 19 article, FanSided’s Austen Bundy believes that Minnesota would be an ideal landing spot forBuffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman, who might need a change of scenery if he wants to get his NFL career back on track.
“If Coleman is continuing to struggle to produce like the early-round selection he was, Buffalo could easily find a suitor by the deadline,“ Bundy wrote. “The Minnesota Vikings are hoping to be a buyer now that QB Kyler Murray is at the helm with weapons Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal.
“With the departure of Jalin Nailor and premature passing of Rondale Moore, the Vikings are in need of a WR3. Coleman could get a new lease on his career and demonstrate he’s still an elite prospect while Buffalo recoups value and Beane can select the guy he actually wants.”
Keon Coleman Gets Update on His Future
On March 23,Buffalo Bills reporter Sal Capaccio shared the latest on Coleman’s future and whether a trade is possible as the NFL Draft nears.
“I still wonder if [Coleman is] on the roster,“Capaccio said during an appearance on WGR 550. “I don’t know if the Bills have an opportunity to move him.I still think theyhighly consider it. That’s just my way of looking at it, just how all this has played out. But his status might also be determined by what happens on April 23, 24, and 25.
“If they were to go out and draft a KC Concepcion, I’d be like, ‘OK, you can move on from Keon Coleman now.‘ Just do it. Because what is he doing for you right now? I don’t think he’s doing anything. If you don’t bring in another receiver where you think he’s going to be at the top half of your depth chart, then you’re kind of relying on Keon Coleman a little bit to do that. And that’s a dangerous game right now to play.”
It will be interesting to see if the Vikings go bargain hunting in free agency, buy low in a trade, or draft a player to fill that WR3 role for the 2026 season.