Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has given a positive update on the contract situation of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, despite the ongoing delay in securing a deal this offseason. If no new contract is agreed before next year, Jefferson will enter free agency.
The 24 year old player is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract this upcoming season, with the Vikings having picked up the fifth-year option last April.
Despite missing seven regular-season games due to a hamstring injury in the 2023 season, Jefferson still managed to rack up over 1,000 receiving yards. The LSU graduate has achieved this milestone every year since turning professional and holds the NFL record for the most career receiving yards per game at 98.3.
Speaking on "Up and Adams" on Monday, O'Connell expressed confidence that a deal would be reached to keep Jefferson at Minnesota long-term. "I know everything's going to get worked out there," the Vikings coach said.
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He added: "Justin knows the love and admiration that I have for him, and he knows he's such a big part of what we do around here. That's on the field, that's off the field, (he) brings such a great energy to our building every single day."
"And he's the ultra-competitor as far as when he steps between the white lines. Very few people are able to do the things that he's able to do, but it's how he goes about his business, how he works, how he pushes his teammates to get better. Justin Jefferson is a huge part of this organization."
Minnesota's general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also shared similar optimism while at the NFL Draft. "We continue to have great dialogue with their representatives," he told reporters.
Justin Jefferson warms up before a Minnesota Vikings game (Getty Images)"The process is still ongoing. We did say, 'Hey, [let's pause] a couple of days.' The draft's coming. They have players they represent. We have our process."
"Either way, whenever we sign him, we want Justin to have his whole week. Do you know that friend that has a birthday that takes the month? I think Justin would deserve his whole month if we signed a contract to celebrate it."
"We're excited to work towards it. We're going to keep going. You can't have all these plans when you talk about all these visions and not talk about the king linchpin, so we're going to keep working toward that end goal."
Jefferson spoke about the situation during Super Bowl week. Asked by SiriusXM whether he wanted to break the bank, the receiver laughed before concurring.
"I want to break the bank, and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me and to really give me what I deserve," he declared. "So I feel like eventually the Vikings will do what they need to do to have me in the building."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.
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