Florio: Contract 'Structure' is Sticking Point With Vikings, Justin Jefferson

The ProFootballTalk insider believes guarantees are what's holding up a new deal.

The Vikings still haven't agreed to a contract extension with Justin Jefferson, the 24-year-old superstar wide receiver who is the unequivocal face of their franchise. There's still a ton of time until the 2024 season begins, but until the deal gets done, there will be some understandable anxiety from fans in Minnesota who don't want to see one of the NFL's best players wind up elsewhere.

What's the hold-up? Why haven't the two sides just agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract that would make Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history? That seems straightforward enough — and well worth-it for the best receiver in football.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk believes the sticking point is a policy from Vikings ownership about guaranteeing more than one year on new contracts for non-quarterbacks. His claim/report/theory is that the Wilfs have a rule against including full guarantees on future years. They made an exception for Kirk Cousins in 2018, but don't want to do so again. That's the story, at least.

Florio, who is a Vikings fan, believes the team needs to make another exception for Jefferson.

This isn’t a guy you’re looking to sign in free agency to fill a need for a year or two. This is a face-of-the-franchise, foundational player. Exceptions must be made, specifically as to the team’s “rule” that full guarantees will apply only to the year in which the contract is signed. They’ve made that exception for quarterback Kirk Cousins. If they want to keep Jefferson — and if they want to keep him happy — they MUST make it for him, too. It won’t set a bad precedent or put the team on a slippery slope. If other agents try to get the same structure, the response is simple: When your guy plays like Justin Jefferson, we will.

Pay close attention to this one, Vikings fans. Your team is inching closer and closer to screwing the pooch. If they do, hold them accountable. Jefferson is ready and willing to sign the contract he deserves. The only question is whether ownership is willing to do the right thing.

That's an excerpt from an article Florio wrote earlier this month. More recently, he was on KFAN with Paul Allen reiterating the same point.

"I can confidently say that JJ is very patient, but his patience will have its limits," he said. "The problem continues to be not the dollars, but the structure. The Vikings are one of the few teams that will not fully guarantee beyond the first year of the contract for anyone other than Kirk Cousins. If you’re not gonna make that same exception for Justin Jefferson, you're gonna have a problem with Justin Jefferson eventually."

"These are policies set by the Wilfs," he added.

If Florio's right, that would explain why the two sides have seemed to be at an impasse. There could also be numerous other factors at play, of course. But if this really does come down to Vikings ownership refusing to make an exception for Jefferson, that would be a tough look. Much like he's worthy of being the highest-paid non-quarterback ever, Jefferson is worthy of a policy exception — and a contract with significant financial guarantees.

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

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