NFL Rumors: Big Justin Jefferson news percolating, one way or another

The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year is apparently getting ready to make some kind of headlines, at least according to one source.

Minnesota Vikings’ All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is coming off a career year. However, the 23-year-old performer has been a no-show when it comes to the club’s OTAs to date.

Earlier this week, Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the absence of the 2022 NFL leader in catches (128) and receiving yards (1,809), courtesy of SI.com’s Jonathan Harrison.

"For me, I hope to see him as soon as possible. I think our participation among our whole team has been so good that we’ve been able to get great work in. Would love to have him, obviously. But I think as we work towards mini-camp we’ll have a real, clean-cut plan of what that looks like, and hopefully get him some work, and I know a lot of the guys will be excited to see him."

Vikings insider teases big news regarding Justin Jefferson

Talk about a tease? On Wednesday morning, veteran reporter Mark Rosen had this to say on KFAN-FM 100.3 on the station’s Power Trip Morning Show.

“Keep your eye on what’s going on with Justin Jefferson the next 48 hours.” When he was asked if there was good news on the horizon, he simply stated, “Let’s hope so.”

The 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has been nothing short of phenomenal. He’s yet to miss a game and has seen his targets, catches and yards increase each year. He’s gone from 88 to 108 to 128 catches, totaling 1,400, 1,616, and 1,809 yards, respectively. It adds up to 324 grabs for 4,825 yards and 25 scores. Jefferson has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the seasons.

So, what does Rosen know? A new and lucrative contract extension would certainly be a good guess. It’s not as if Jefferson hasn’t earned it. His rookie deal (viaSpotrac) added up to four years and $13.122 million. In April, the franchise exercised his fifth-year option to the tune of $19.743 million.

Is there a really big payday in Jefferson’s somewhat-immediate future? Stay tuned.