Justin Jefferson's new contract was all but a foregone conclusion, but that doesn't diminish its importance.
To the Vikings, it means their best player is staying in Minnesota for the next five years (and their investment in him, which included trading Stefon Diggs, was incredibly worthwhile). And for Jefferson, beyond the financial security provided by a $140 million extension, it cements his standing as a key figure in the Vikings organization.
Such a standing comes with additional responsibility. Now that he's getting paid top dollar, Jefferson will need to continue to be the elite playmaker he's proven himself to be to this point. And he'll need to lead the way, especially as the franchise transitions into a new era after parting with Kirk Cousins.
"Just being the highest paid just comes with being a leader," Jefferson told reporters on Tuesday. "I always said, I always preached it: The money never was a big thing for me. It was mostly just solidifying myself as the top receiver in the league.
"Of course, I want to be holding that gold jacket when my career is all over with. It's gonna happen, the contract talks are gonna happen when you're performing at this type of level. But just like I said plenty and plenty of times, there's more to it than just the money for me. I want to be the best player to ever do it. In order to do that, I've got to keep performing at my highest ability. With that, money is gonna be involved, but that wasn't my main concern."
Some may be concerned that Jefferson is entering a precarious season because of Cousins' departure for Atlanta. Jefferson said that was never a concern for him during negotiations, because all he needs to be given is a chance to make a play. He'll handle the rest.
"I feel like, just with last year, with all the things that happened, all of the quarterback changes that happened, that didn't really affect me that much," Jefferson said. "It really didn't matter who was going to be able to throw the ball. I'm always confident in myself and confident in who was throwing the ball to give me those types of opportunities and let me just go make a play for the team."
Veteran Sam Darnold and 10th-overall pick J.J. McCarthy will battle for the right to replace Cousins at the start of the 2024 campaign, and if everything goes according to plan, it will be McCarthy's job before long.
J.J. to J.J. sounds pretty good to Vikings fans, even if it might take the two some time to establish a rapport. When discussing the matter on Tuesday, Jefferson was already showing the leadership skills he spoke of.
"I talked to J.J. as soon as he got drafted. I told him confidence is key, just coming into this league with confidence and being able to have that leadership just right off the bat being a rookie," Jefferson said. "There's going to be people to come and help. Of course, I'm going to be that main person to be in his ear and try to teach him and try to prepare him for what we're about to go through. But I told him this league is tough. It's not an easy job to come out here and perform at the highest ability, especially as a rookie. But I'll definitely be that main person that he can lean on and help throughout the way."
McCarthy is a proven winner, taking home the College Football Playoff National Championship in his final game at Michigan. Jefferson knows the going won't be as easy for him in the NFL, but is more than willing to help him.
And if all else fails, McCarthy can count on Jefferson to make a play only a few in the NFL can make. As Don Draper once said in the period drama Mad Men: That's what the money's for.
