Justin Jefferson’s new contract might cost the Vikings. Jordan Addison
The Minnesota Vikings have two young, genuine wide receivers on their roster. Justin Jefferson is on the verge of becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Jordan Addison, the Vikings’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is already testing the limits of how great a WR2 can be in this league.
Jefferson is in the final year of his rookie deal, and the way things are going, a big bonus is on the way (eventually). Former NFL executives are skeptical that the Vikings can afford to pay two wide receivers as much as Jefferson (~$35 million per year), in addition to Jordan Addison’s contract.
Will extending Justin Jefferson cost the Minnesota Vikings Jordan Addison?
Addison is only entering the second year of a four-year rookie deal. That does not include a fifth-year team option or further franchise tag possibilities. In other words, the Vikings could legally control Addison’s destiny for another six to seven years, but it would be pricey in the end.
But former NFL executive Randy Mueller (now a writer to The Athletic) thinks he has a better solution. If he were in charge of the Minnesota Vikings’ front office, he’d be looking to trade Jordan Addison before he became too pricey.
Mueller thinks that Jefferson is the finest wide receiver in the NFL, and they should definitely extend him. However, he says that the expense of re-signing the (nearly) 25-year-old superstar will put them in a difficult financial situation. Mueller is looking forward and views Addison as a potential cap casualty in 2026, or whenever he becomes eligible for an extension.
Related: J.J. McCarthy isn’t even the Minnesota Vikings backup right now.
The point: If it’s not Addison, it’ll be someone else of significance.
But Randy’s perspective is larger. Once Jefferson signs his contract, the Minnesota Vikings will need to make cuts elsewhere on the roster. Christian Darrisaw is going to get compensated. Brian O’Neill and TJ Hockenson are already being paid. Furthermore, you will have to pay for improvements elsewhere, etc.
The point is that roster sacrifices will come from someplace. Will that be Addison? That depends on how well he performs, how much someone else wants him, who the Vikings have coming up after him, and all of the other factors.
Mueller did mention that if the Vikings’ estimate of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is correct, having him on a rookie deal should provide them some flexibility. It is far too early to make this evaluation. Yes, Addison had a tremendous first season, leading all rookie wide receivers with touchdowns.
