In a turn of events that was truly unsurprising, Justin Jefferson was a no-show during the Vikings OTAs this spring as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year awaited a new contract extension. Jefferson had his fifth-year option of $19.743 million in 2024, but the receiver is set to make just $2.399 million in 2023, an extreme underpay for someone coming off a season in which he recorded 128 receptions and 1809 yards.
After sitting out OTAs, it would have been unsurprising if Jefferson also was to sit out this week’s mandatory minicamp. We haven’t seen any news of a new contract extension, so what would be the motivation for coming back now?