Exclusive; Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Calls Out NFL During Playoff Game

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is open.

Of course, he had his say on the NFL’s social media team’s decision to share a photo of a poster of a fan from the Detroit Lions’ divisional round game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 21. The poster was a play on Lions coach Dan Campbell’s comment about kneeling during the 2021 inaugural press conference as a euphemism for team strength.

But Jefferson didn’t see the humor, especially given the race’s official name. “Y’all dying to post this,” the three-time Pro Bowler said in a post on his former Twitter account, Jefferson X, during the second game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. “Not too well!!”

The Vikings and Los Angeles Rams lost safety Kerby Joseph to injury after a punt. Officials tagged Joseph for another opportunity against the Rams in the Wild Card round. However, the league did not fine him for the hit that caused the injury.

His teammates and coaches came to his defense, accusing him of being a dirty player. The Lions won against the Bucs and will face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship on January 28th.

T.J. Hockenson Facing Lengthy Recovery

“I really like T.J. [Hockenson] I love having him in our organization,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Dec. 26. “Unfortunately for TJ, I know he’s on the road to recovery and I know he’s going to attack with every tool in this building.”

Hockenson suffered multiple torn ligaments on the hit, ruling him out for the 2024 campaign. “T.J. Chris Towers of CBS Sports wrote on Dec. 27 that Hockenson is out for the season and likely at least part of 2024 after tearing his ACL and MCL in Sunday’s game.

“The injury requires surgery and usually lasts between nine and 12 months.”
. “We know what kind of player TJ is, so we’re looking forward to having him back and getting ready for a great season in 2024,” O’Connell said.

Hockenson finished the season with a career-high 960 receiving yards on 90 receptions and added five touchdowns. He enters next season with a four-year, $66 million contract extension and more than $14 million in cap space.

Justin Jefferson’s contract situation has major implications for the Vikings

Hockenson is under contract for the foreseeable future. But Jefferson’s future was not so clear. The receiver is set to earn a big payday after a historic first four seasons in the NFL. And he spoke confidently about the whole situation.

“Of course I want to sign the contract. But ultimately it’s up to them and what the owners want to do with it,” Jefferson told the media on Sept. 7. “It depends on them. My focus is to play football and do what I’m good at. So I’m good at sitting on that field and catching the football and I’m going to continue to do that.

Pioneer Press columnist Charlie Walters advocated for the Vikings to trade Jefferson. In his speech, he touched on the Vikings’ uncertainty about their quarterback and Jefferson’s looming salary.

However, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was upbeat about the meeting. “I’m always optimistic about these things,” Adofo-Mensah said of his availability later in the season. “Obviously we have to deal with these and many other issues, but I look forward to these conversations.”