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By Tyler Erzberger
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Justin Jefferson wasn't the happiest camper at the end of the 2025 NFL season.
As one of the best wide receivers of the past decade, Jefferson became accustomed to being fed the ball by a reliable quarterback throughout his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.
While never truly having a superstar QB at the helm, Jefferson elevated and connected with almost every signal-caller he played with in the pros.
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Last season was the exception, as he never found the right chemistry with J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer, or Carson Wentz. By the end of the season, he opened up in interviews about how the team would have been better with Sam Darnold, who wasn't extended by the Vikings and then went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
While the Vikings have already announced that McCarthy will not be handed the starting spot and might have to back up a veteran quarterback like Kyler Murray, they also need to fix their cap space situation if they want to return to the playoffs next campaign.
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Minnesota currently has one of the worst cap situations in the NFL heading into free agency on Monday, which is why they are doing everything they can to have enough wiggle room to improve the team starting Monday.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Vikings have restructured Jefferson's contract for next season, needing to get his cap hit down to improve the team elsewhere.
Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota two years ago, and would have carried a hefty cap hit of $40 for the 2026 season.
The restructuring will push more of that money down the road and alleviate some of the space Jefferson's contract will take up on the roster. The Vikings also reconstructed the contract of starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
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