Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson has willingly answered questions for months about his ongoing contract negotiations. His genial replies have avoided alarming headlines, but a clear theme has emerged: From Jefferson's perspective, there is no precedent to the deal he will eventually sign -- with the Vikings or another team -- because there is no precedent to what he's produced during his first four NFL seasons.
Understanding that mindset helps inform why -- more than a year after Jefferson became eligible for an extension -- there has been no new contract. The Vikings are not playing hardball, and Jefferson has no reluctance about playing in Minnesota, multiple sources said during the 2023 season.