The Minnesota Vikings have expressed optimism that they will be able to sign superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a contract extension before the start of the upcoming season, but it doesn’t sound like Jefferson is interested in participating in team activities until that happens.
According to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, Justin Jefferson was not in attendance when the team began organized team activities on Monday, likely as a result of his contract situation with the team.
“WR Justin Jefferson, who has been in talks with the Vikings regarding a contract extension, was not spotted at the team’s training facility today for the start of organized team activities, per team sources,” Schefter said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
WR Justin Jefferson, who has been in talks with the Vikings regarding a contract extension, was not spotted at the team’s training facility today for the start of organized team activities, per team sources. pic.twitter.com/CveEKWYMWw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2024
Obviously, his absence from OTAs isn’t necessarily a sign that there is any discontent. In fact, Jefferson even skipped OTAs last year while he tried to negotiate a new contract with the team that never ultimately materialized.
However, it’s still a pretty brutal move as the team will be without one of their most important players on the practice field as they break in a new quarterback and try to prepare for the upcoming season.
