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Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer
The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The deal includes $88.743 million due at signing. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.
Jefferson, 24, turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million annually the day before the 2023 season started.
The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson’s four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL.
Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.
The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game — the most in NFL history for any career span — and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in their first four seasons.