Vikings' Justin Jefferson Absent as Voluntary Offseason Program Begins

Jefferson also skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason last year.

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) scores a / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not report to TCO Performance Center on Monday for the start of the team's voluntary offseason program, head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed to the media. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as Jefferson — who is still awaiting a record-breaking contract extension — skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason last year as well.

Jefferson first became eligible for an extension last year. He chose to skip basically the first two months of the Vikings' spring offseason program, including numerous OTA practices. When he arrived at the facility for the first time for mandatory minicamp in mid-June, he cited other obligations like endorsement deals as a reason for his absence up to that point. Jefferson attended all of the Vikings' mandatory practices from that point, including training camp, and went on to have over 1,000 yards in just eight full games. According to various reports, the Vikings and Jefferson's camp got close to agreeing to an extension before the season started, but it didn't happen.

Presumably, Jefferson will follow the same plan this offseason. There's more pressure on the Vikings to get a deal done this year, as Jefferson is headed into the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. Unless an extension gets worked out soon, it's probably safe to assume that Minnesota's superstar won't be around until at least mandatory minicamp in June — if not later.

O'Connell would love to have Jefferson in the building as soon as possible, but he isn't sure when that'll happen.

"I've had a lot of great dialogue with Justin," O'Connell said. "My hope is we can get him around the team. Want him here as much as we can have him, but also understand there's a lot of factors involved."

When Jefferson does eventually sign a new contract, it's likely going to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Nick Bosa's $34 million per year. The Eagles just extended DeVonta Smith for $75 million over three years ($25 million AAV with $51 million guaranteed). Jefferson's going to get a lot more than that, and his camp will be pushing for heavy guarantees.

The Vikings are just beginning their offseason program with phase one, which consists of meetings and strength/conditioning workouts. OTA practices will get going in late May.

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