Vikings' O'Connell already planting seeds for Jefferson extension

Justin Jefferson's future in a Minnesota Vikings uniform won't be secured until he inks a long-term contract extension, and that appears to be a primary focus for head coach Kevin O'Connell as the Vikings enter an important offseason after finishing 2023-24 with a final record of 7-10 following Sunday's 30-20 loss in Detroit. 

"I know Justin, in the games we had him, especially in the full games we had him, was as dominant as any player in this league," O'Connell said in his postgame press conference. "Hopefully we're just getting started with him and where we're going to take our offense."

Jefferson burned the Lions for 12 catches and 192 yards with a touchdown to finish his 10-game season with 68 catches for 1,074 yards and five scores. He's the fourth receiver in NFL history with four straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career. 

Jefferson, 24, will likely reset the wide receiver market with whatever contract he signs. He could surpass Aaron Donald as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. And while he and the Vikings failed to sign a contract extension before the 2023-24 season, O'Connell reiterated Sunday that "it was close."

"What makes him so special is the competitive drive to be great," O'Connell explained. "My expectation is that Justin's going to be a major part of everything we do around here for a long time. He knows that. He knows the feelings that we have for him and that I personally have for him. I don't think there's any doubt in his mind about that."