It definitely seems like Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is not dropping sleep over the truth that vast receiver Justin Jefferson hasn’t but signed what seemingly will probably be an enormous contract extension.
“I do know the whole lot’s going to get labored on the market,” O’Connell stated concerning the scenario throughout a current look on the FanDuel TV “Up & Adams” program, per Kevin Patra of the NFL’s web site. “Justin is aware of the love and admiration that I’ve for him, and he is aware of he is such an enormous a part of what we do round right here. That is on the sector, that is off the sector, (he) brings such a terrific vitality to our constructing each single day. And he is the ultra-competitor so far as when he steps between the white strains.”
Jefferson was the topic of some commerce rumors earlier than and after quarterback Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free company. Whereas Minnesota reportedly explored shifting up from the eleventh choose of this yr’s draft to the No. 3 spot to take North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye, there is no signal that the Vikings talked about Jefferson’s title in conversations with the New England Patriots.
The Patriots finally held onto the draft’s third alternative and took Maye. In the meantime, Minnesota moved up a single spot within the draft order to land Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.
Jefferson is within the last yr of his rookie contract and will grow to be the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback if he indicators an extension between now and the beginning of the upcoming season. O’Connell indicated that he plans to have Jefferson be part of the membership’s offense for years to return.
“Only a few individuals are in a position to do the issues that he is in a position to do, however it’s how he goes about his enterprise, how he works, how he pushes his teammates to get higher,” O’Connell added about his prime playmaker whereas talking with present host Kay Adams. “Justin Jefferson is a big a part of this group.”
O’Connell and firm hope that Jefferson will embrace the duty of serving to McCarthy develop even when the rookie is not named the crew’s Week 1 starter. Patra talked about on Wednesday that “big-time offers within the NFL typically come to fruition nearer to coaching camp in July,” so there stays no motive for Minnesota followers to panic about Jefferson’s standing with the membership as Memorial Day approaches.
