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Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson addressed his reported record-setting contract extension, which will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, in a video shared on his Instagram account Monday (June 3) morning.
"The time has finally come — the deal I have been waiting for since I was a little kid," Jefferson said in the video.
"First off, I want to thank the man above. Without God, this wouldn't be possible at all," Jefferson added. "To be given a gift to play football at the highest level, it's a blessing, an honor.
"To my mom and dad, thank you. This is a journey for all of us, and y'all are still with us every step of the way. To my brothers, Rickey and Jordan, y'all are everything. Y'all made me who I am today. This is a new step in our journey, a new step in life. I always dreamt of this moment and to now share it with all of y'all — a dream that we all had, it's a blessing."
Jefferson also thanked the Wilf family ownership group, head coach Kevin O'Connell, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Vikings fans, all of which were also included in an official statement shared in a press release from the team on Monday.
"I would not be in this position if not for my family and their support. I'm so thankful for them instilling a foundational gratitude and competitive fire within me," Jefferson said. "I'd like to thank the Wilf family, Kevin O'Connell, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the entire Vikings organization for believing in me and trusting me to help lead this team. To all my teammates and coaches from the very beginning as a kid in Louisiana, all the way to the NFL, thank you for always being there for me and pushing me. Lastly, to Vikings fans everywhere, you'll continue to get my very best each and every day. SKOL!"
Jefferson, 25, and the Vikings reportedly agreed to a record-setting four-year, $140 million contract extension, which includes $110 million guaranteed, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jefferson, widely regarded as the NFL's best wide receiver, was entering the final year of his rookie contract and reportedly turned down an extension worth "in excess of $30 million-a-year" during the 2023 season, Schefter previously reported. The former LSU standout has recorded more than 1,000 yards during each of his first NFL four seasons, which included 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, despite appearing in just 10 games due to injuries.
Jefferson recorded an NFL-best 128 receptions for 1,809 yards (106.4 yards per game), as well as eight touchdowns in 2022, winning the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. The three-time Pro Bowler tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Lance Alworth's record as the fastest wide receiver to record 5,000 career yards (52 games) and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer and Vikings legend Randy Moss for the most 150-yard receiving games (nine) before turning 25 last season.