Generally, the simplest factor to do can also be the only.
The Minnesota Vikings had a creating contract scenario on their fingers with the most effective extensive receiver in soccer, Justin Jefferson. There have been rumors of buying and selling him to maneuver up for a QB within the draft, and even one to maneuver up for one more receiver on this draft class.
As an alternative, the Vikings opted to do the straightforward, good factor.
A report deal: the Vikings and three-time Professional-Bowl WR Justin Jefferson reached settlement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that features $110 million assured and makes him not solely the highest-paid WR in NFL historical past, however the highest-paid non-QB in NFL historical past,… pic.twitter.com/OAESU3dOop
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2024
Paying Justin Jefferson at all times appeared like the neatest and likeliest factor the Vikings had been going to do. You don’t let receivers like him hit the open market, and with Minnesota present process a reset on the QB place, it appears fairly good to have the most effective receiver in soccer locked in for a very long time. Jefferson has at all times been phenomenal, however what he’s executed underneath Kevin O’Connell is nothing in need of astounding. By extending Jefferson, Minnesota ensures that the engine to their offense stays in place.
Not solely have they ensured that their finest offensive participant stays in place with the Jefferson extension, the Vikings have prioritized their younger core, which has plenty of expertise and room to raise their rookie QB. As a way to really see what a younger QB has acquired, a corporation must encompass him with playmakers, playcalling and safety. For probably the most half, the Vikings at the moment have that each one in hand. Tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are probably the most underrated sort out duo within the NFL (the inside nonetheless wants work although). Jefferson, second-year WR Jordan Addison and TE TJ Hockenson spherical out an thrilling younger trio of talent place gamers, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has gotten the most effective out of his QBs in his time there. Whereas the Vikings are going by this era of determining if QB JJ McCarthy is the actual deal, their star expertise will each preserve them afloat and assist them see if that’s the case for his or her rookie.
The Vikings’ long run investments as a crew might be similar to different groups that didn’t make investments excessive capital in a QB till they completely wanted to, as an alternative opting to draft guys like Darrisaw, Addison and Jefferson within the first spherical. Their wager is twofold: that any QB can are available in and get this offense operating to a baseline degree, however the ceiling will likely be exponentially increased with a proficient QB underneath middle. The wager Minnesota is making is a bit like San Francisco: having the celebrity expertise at beneficial positions like receiver and tight finish will permit for some leeway on the QB place, but when a younger QB on a rookie deal is proficient sufficient to lift the ceiling, it might make the factor hum rather a lot quicker and much more successfully.
As well as, the Vikings’ offensive core continues to be all younger, for probably the most half. Proper sort out Brian O’Neill may be the oldest of the core and he’s 28 years previous. By nonetheless guaranteeing that the younger offensive stars of this group will likely be round for the long term, they be certain that the inspiration for the expansion of their younger QB is in place. It’s troublesome to get an airplane as much as high pace on a foul runway, and the Vikings have made positive that their runway for his or her QB is in high form.
