Justin Jefferson, the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, talks completely to Sky Sports activities NFL about all issues Minnesota Vikings, his contract, the season forward and management…
The 25-year-old vast receiver signed a large four-year, $140 million contract extension in June that included $110 million assured.
Jefferson, who beforehand turned down a deal providing greater than $28 million per yr the day earlier than the 2023 season, will make his new wage at $35 million per yr, surpassing San Francisco’s Nick Bosa because the NFL’s highest-paid non-Quarter guard.
Minnesota takes on San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, stay Sky Sports activities NFL Beginning at 6pm on Sunday and with Sky Sports activities NFL Analyst and former Tremendous Bowl champion Ndamukong Suh from the Vikings coaching facility revealed how his dream got here true.
“It felt wonderful. Dreaming, imagining it and negotiating the contract, listening to my agent and listening to the conversations in these conferences, to lastly make it occur was unreal,” Jefferson advised Sky Sports activities.
“It’s one thing you don’t count on, and also you don’t actually know the way issues are going to prove or how every little thing goes to work out till you truly interact within the dialog.
“The Vikings, my agent, everybody on my facet, everybody did an amazing job in our contract negotiations. Nobody let the media in, nobody talked in regards to the contract in any manner via social media, which was very… Nice.
“To get it and spend quite a lot of time with my household, it is one thing we have at all times dreamed of and hoped for.
“It’s an absolute blessing to have the ability to do that.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Watch Jefferson’s stellar catch in Minnesota’s NFL sport towards Detroit
Since being chosen by the Vikings with the twenty second general decide within the 2020 draft, Jefferson has caught 392 passes for five,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Because the 2022 Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Jefferson averaged 98.3 receiving yards per sport, essentially the most in NFL profession historical past, and the 6.5 catches per sport he averaged in his first 4 seasons led all receivers. The second tallest amongst golfers.
After main the NFL in catches (128) and receiving yards (1,809) in 2022, Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard mark for a fourth consecutive season in 2023 regardless of lacking seven video games because of damage.
By way of ambitions for the upcoming season, avoiding accidents is a precedence for Jefferson, who was assured he was going to have one of many biggest seasons within the historical past of the game earlier than struggling hamstring and chest accidents final yr.
“My purpose now could be to remain wholesome. Being injured final yr and lacking a lot of the season hindered that purpose,” he mentioned.
“The best way I begin the season and the observe I will race on is shaping as much as be one of many biggest seasons ever.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Sky Sports activities compares Jefferson’s spectacular catch towards the Buffalo Payments to OBJ’s notorious catch towards the Dallas Cowboys in 2014
“So keep wholesome this yr and be extra of a pacesetter, an outspoken chief.
“I am the focus, I am the goal. I’ve to just accept it, seize it and take the initiative.”
By way of management, Jefferson believes his enormous contract can encourage teammates and gamers.
The 25-year-old additionally revealed that he has reached a stage the place he appears like a significant determine within the Vikings group.
“It simply reveals the work I put in. As a child, in faculty, and even now nonetheless placing in these ranges and further work. These further reps and catches after observe. That separates you from the nice and the nice.
“I attempt to inform the fellows within the locker room. Surprisingly, I am one of many older gamers within the room now. We’ve got quite a lot of younger guys they usually take note of every little thing I do.”
“I am that position mannequin and I am the one they appear to. So each probability I get, I attempt to educate them little issues, attempt to put together them for contract negotiations when the time comes, and simply being a professional on the finish of the day .
“It is all a studying section. I am nonetheless studying in the present day. There are nonetheless issues I must be taught and overcome. However to this point, I am doing fairly good.”
The 25-year-old says he’s now somebody his dressing room teammates look as much as and a task mannequin
“I attempt to spend as a lot time as potential with folks outdoors the constructing. After we’re within the constructing, it is all soccer.
“Speaking about soccer, speaking about video games, speaking to coaches. It is tiring. So it is good to exit and hang around and I attempt to discuss to them as a lot as potential outdoors of soccer. Discuss various things than we do through the workday.
“Younger folks wish to be alone and loosen up at dwelling. I attempt to be with them, be by their facet and be that good friend or brother they will discuss to at any time.”
Stay NFL
Sunday, September fifteenth at 5:00 pm
Jefferson and the Vikings will tackle the New York Jets on Sunday, October 6 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The best-paid non-quarterback within the league is wanting ahead to returning…
“Very excited. I used to be excited for the primary time, so now going again, I already know London. I do know a number of locations.
“Britain…you realize we’re coming with pressure!”
Watch the San Francisco 49ers tackle the Minnesota Vikings in week two, stay on Sky Sports activities NFL beginning at 6pm on Sunday, adopted by the Cincinnati Bengals towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at 9:25pm; You can also live broadcast through NOW.
Till then, watch Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins tackle the Buffalo Payments on Thursday Evening Soccer, Sky Sports activities NFL Stay streaming begins at 1.15am on Friday; You can also live broadcast through NOW.
Sky Sports activities+ is formally launched and might be merged into sky tvStreaming companies Now and Sky Sports App – This yr, Sky Sports activities prospects can watch greater than 50% of stay sports activities occasions at no cost. Live stream the new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.
