Winners and Losers of Justin Jefferson Signing His New Contract Extension
With Justin Jefferson resetting the wide receiver market with his historic four-year, $140 million extension, there are going to be a variety of effects that happen around the NFL because of this deal. We are finally getting to a point with certain skill position players that they are getting paid such high amounts that they may actually price themselves out of some teams' futures. To put this into perspective, the top eight highest-paid receivers get paid more annually than Tom Brady ever made in a single year throughout his entire NFL career. That is how massive the market for receivers has become. With this mega deal by Justin Jefferson, let’s break down some winners and losers from around the league as a result of this deal.
Winners
Justin Jefferson - This is understandably the easiest winner on this list. Justin Jefferson has dominated the league for several years now with the Minnesota Vikings and shows no signs of slowing down. It is amazing that Jefferson and his agent were able to get the Vikings to pay so much for a wide receiver and additionally get so much of that money guaranteed to protect Jefferson in case he suffers a serious injury. In just four short years with the Vikings, he has amassed 392 receptions, 5,899 yards, and 30 touchdowns which that alone could be enough to convince some people that he is the best wide receiver in the NFL. He absolutely deserves every cent he will be making and congratulations to Justin Jefferson for getting your money.
Minnesota Vikings - Although the Vikings paid a lot for Jefferson, it will be well worth it to them over the next few years. The Vikings in this past draft took J.J. McCarthy to be their next franchise quarterback and the Vikings have luckily secured the best asset for the offense and their new quarterback to be successful next season. With McCarthy on a rookie deal for the next four years, the Vikings won’t have to pay their quarterback a lot, allowing them to make the smart decision to maintain Jefferson no matter the cost because he is just that valuable to the team.
Wide receivers looking to get a contract extension - With Jefferson and other big-time wide receivers getting paid this offseason like Jaylen Waddle, just last week, it really makes the case for the other wide receivers who haven’t gotten a contract yet, that they get paid big money too. The wide receiver market as a whole has become much bigger over the past few years with more teams wanting more truly dynamic players at that position. The best part for these wide receivers is that teams are finally willing to make that big investment in them. This has resulted in other position groups, like running backs, getting paid less. Therefore, running backs over the years have become much better at catching the ball out of the backfield so that they can pitch their case they are just as important as another wide receiver on the team. This leaves teams wanting a dynamic wide receiver with two options, either pay big money to a veteran wide receiver or take your chances in the draft to find one coming out of college.
Losers
Dallas Cowboys - Justin Jefferson and the Vikings did absolutely no favors to the Cowboys and Jerry Jones as they are facing all sorts of trouble resigning multiple stars on their team including CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys by the end of next season will have to decide on resigning Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons who are all at the core of this team. However, after seeing Jefferson’s contract, CeeDee Lamb will undoubtedly be looking for similar money from the Cowboys that Jefferson just got which the Cowboys simply don’t have. Lamb has comparable stats to Jefferson since entering the league in the same draft with 395 receptions, 5,463 total yards, and 35 touchdowns while remaining healthier than Jefferson through their first four seasons in the league. This mega-contract by Jefferson will seriously help CeeDee Lamb get paid big money by someone after next season, but it just might not be with Dallas.
San Francisco 49ers - If the 49ers had any hope of keeping Brandon Aiyuk around, that ended with Jefferson’s contract today. The wide receiver market as of the past week could not be more clear that Aiyuk’s desired compensation will simply be too rich for the 49ers to keep him long-term with all the other talent surrounding the team. They have also made several moves to solidify that position this offseason and now the 49ers will likely have to trade Aiyuk to a team that would be willing to pay him, or they can watch him walk in free agency next year.
Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals are the least of the losers here, but they are one of the teams that possess a top-caliber wide receiver who is going to demand Justin Jefferson-like money in his contract talks. Ja’Marr Chase for the Bengals has been crucial to any success the Bengals have had the past few years and has been an excellent pairing with fellow LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Chase is right on pace with Jefferson through his first three years in the league and because of the cap space available for the Bengals, it wouldn’t be surprising if Chase resets the wide receiver market again when he gets his new contract extension as well.
