The Minnesota Vikings are adjusting the contracts of wide receiver Justin Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw to create additional salary cap space, sources reveal. This move comes as the team currently exceeds the 2024 salary cap by $46.67 million and needs to free up substantial funds.
Details on Cap Savings from Contract Restructures
The contract adjustments for Jefferson and Darrisaw are expected to free up approximately $18.01 million and $9.24 million in cap space, respectively, according to OverTheCap data. These changes are a strategic step to improve the Vikings’ financial flexibility for the current season.
Christian Darrisaw’s Injury and Career Background
Christian Darrisaw, 26, who played three seasons as a starter at Virginia Tech and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2020, spent part of the 2025 season on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Drafted 23rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Darrisaw signed a four-year deal valued at just over $13 million, including a signing bonus of more than $7 million.
The Vikings exercised his fifth-year option for 2025, guaranteeing $16.037 million, and then extended his contract this offseason with a four-year, $113 million deal containing up to $77 million guaranteed. In 2025, Darrisaw started all 10 games he played at left tackle before his injury sidelined him.
Justin Jefferson’s Contract and Contributions
Justin Jefferson, 26, who set the LSU single-season receptions record in 2019 before being selected 22nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, has rapidly become a key player for Minnesota. He completed the fourth year of his rookie contract, valued at over $13 million with a $7.1 million signing bonus. Minnesota picked up his fifth-year option for 2024, guaranteeing $19.743 million.
Jefferson signed a landmark four-year, $140 million extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, preventing free agency in 2025. During the 2025 season, he played all 17 games, making 84 receptions on 141 targets for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns.
Implications of the Contract Restructures for the Vikings
These contract restructures reflect the Vikings’ efforts to balance financial constraints while retaining key offensive players. With both Jefferson and Darrisaw representing significant investments, their restructured deals will provide the team with much-needed cap flexibility, crucial for roster management moving forward. The moves highlight the tension between locking in star talent and navigating the challenging NFL salary cap.
The Vikings are doing simple restructures on the contracts of star WR Justin Jefferson and LT Christian Darrisaw to clear salary cap space, per sources. Still work to do to get under the cap by Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/nDyvH0R9hz
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2026
