Minnesota
With contract with Minnesota Vikings done, Justin Jefferson’s focus is on being “the best player to ever do it”
EAGAN, Minn. — With Justin Jefferson’s massive contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings now completed, he’s got another goal in mind.
“Of course I want to be holding that gold jacket … when my career is all over with,” Jefferson said during a news conference about the deal on Tuesday. “I want to be the best player to ever do it.”
He’s well on his way there. No wide receiver in NFL history compiled more yards through his first four seasons than Jefferson’s 5,899. He also has more yards per game (98.3) than any other receiver, averaging 12 more than second-place Calvin Johnson. Throw in an Offensive Player of the Year award, three All-Pro nods and a top-five finish in MVP voting and it’s not hard to justify the Vikings giving him “the highest contract for a non-QB in NFL history,” according to them.
“I truly think he’s one of the brightest stars in all of professional sports,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said, adding Jefferson has had one of the “more remarkable starts to a career that our game has really seen, especially at the receiver position.”
The Vikings haven’t released the exact numbers behind Jefferson’s deal, but said it’s a four-year extension, which would keep him in Minnesota through 2028. For the 24-year-old Jefferson, the massive money represents a step up in his status on the team.
“This is the start of a lot. This is something I’ve been waiting for and now being a leader of this team and carrying myself a different way,” he said. “I’m going to be on everyone butt, I’m going to be on everyone hard and I’m going to make sure that I’m the leader of this team and we’re working to where we want to go, which is a world championship.”
Jefferson will now have a new quarterback joining him on that quest. Whether it’s this year or down the line, rookie passer J.J. McCarthy is the future of the Vikings’ offense. Jefferson likes what he’s seen so far.
“I talked to J.J. as soon as he got drafted, I told him confidence is key,” Jefferson said. “Of course having J.J. into the building, a new energy, a new soul, I love his confidence, I love his attitude and of course him coming off a championship, you can’t have any more confidence than that.”
Despite offseason rumors about trades and stalled negotiations, Jefferson and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both said there was no doubt from either side about this deal getting done.
“Obviously we’ve had a pretty big offseason, but this day, this move was something that was foundational to everything we’re going to be as a team this season and going forward,” Adofo-Mensah said.
That “pretty big offseason” included a quarterback change, an overhaul of the defense and the addition of a new offensive weapon in former Green Bay Packer running back Aaron Jones. But Jefferson’s extension is by far the most important move the Vikings have made, and he knows it.
“I feel like we’re on a great path,” Jefferson said. “Just with locking me in for five more years. I’ve been telling all of them they’re going to get the best out of me, every single practice, every single game.”
The Southern Anoka County Assistance food shelf (SACA) is expanding to meet a growing need in Columbia Heights. Earlier this month, the food shelf opened a newly renovated building on California Street Northeast, three times the size of their previous location.
“Our former building could fit inside of this room,” said Leigh McCarren, development and communications manager, while walking through the warehouse. “Before we were serving about 40 families-a-day. Now, we’re averaging around like 140. So, it’s a huge shift.”
SACA has served the community north of Minneapolis for 50 years and in 2020 started dreaming of an expansion. In 2023, the nonprofit received both federal and state dollars. After demolition, cleaning and renovation, the new food shelf opened in April of this year.
The shelf is set up ‘market’ style and no appointments are necessary. McCarren says this helps remove some barriers to get more families through the door.
“I have three children and another one on the way,” said Naphtali, as she walked through selecting items for her family.”A lot of times our food support runs out before the end of the month.”
McCaren said they started to see increasing need during the pandemic. The Food Group is based in Minnesota and tracks visits to food shelves across the state. Their data shows a spike in need in 2022, with numbers increasing each year after. According to their 2025 report, Minnesotans visited food shelves over 9 million times last year.
Along with the food shelf, the building also houses a thrift shop. SACA aims to keep the prices low, usually around a few dollars per item.
SACA staff and volunteers believe they’ll continue to see the number of visitors grow.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to eliminate Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
Timberwolves’ players Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert spoke to reporters after practice on Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square. The Timberwolves can eliminate the Denver Nuggets from the NBA Playoffs in Game 6 Thursday night at Target Center. If they lose, there will be a decisive Game 7 in Denver.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Thursday has a chance to be a historic night for the Minnesota professional sports scene.
The Timberwolves and Wild both have home playoff games, both lead 3-2 in their best-of-seven series and each can advance on the same night with a victory. If the Timberwolves and Wild both lose, they had back on the road for decisive Game 7s.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to close out Nuggets
The backstory:
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Game 6 on ESPN, with a chance to end Denver’s season. The Timberwolves had a 3-1 lead, but lost Game 5 125-113.
The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers, and allowed 125 points without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Chris Finch says Timberwolves had ‘soft mentality’ in Game 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves practiced Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square ahead of Game 6 against the Nuggets. Chris Finch spoke with reporters and said the team had a soft mentality that led to their Game 5 loss in Denver. The Timberwolves can close out the series with a win Thursday night.
“I thought we had a soft mentality,” Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch said after Wednesday’s practice at Mayo Clinic Square.
Aside from the turnovers, Jaden McDaniels had two early fouls as the Timberwolves started slow. Nuggets’ role players Spencer Jones and Cam Johnson also combined for 38 points.
Game 6 – What’s at stake
Why you should care:
The Timberwolves have another chance to eliminate the Nuggets, but this time can do so on their home floor in front of what will be a raucous crowd at Target Center. If they win, the Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third straight year.
If they lose, they head back to Denver for a Game 7. The team knows what’s at stake.
“We’ve got to come out, have fun, stay together. That’s what I told the guys. The game is going to swing, that’s basketball. It’s all about staying together and sticking to the game plan. I’m excited to play in front of the best fans in the world,” guard Ayo Dosunmu said.
“Obviously a lot is at stake, but it’s basketball. This is the moment you dream about,” center Rudy Gobert said. “It’s huge having the home crowd, but it’s basketball. At the end of the day, it’s on us to bring it.”
If the Timberwolves advance, they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night.
Wild host Dallas Stars for Game 6 Thursday
Dig deeper:
Over in St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild host the Dallas Stars in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arean. Puck drop is set for just after 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on TNT as well as FanDuel Sports Network.
Minnesota Wild can eliminate Dallas Stars Thursday night
The Minnesota Wild has a 3-2 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and can close out the series with a win in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. Wild coach John Hynes spoke to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the pivotal game.
The Wild can end the Stars’ season with a win, after earning a 4-2 win at Dallas in Game 5. Michael McCarron scored what ended up being the game-winning goal at the 7:47 mark of the third period, which gave the Wild a 3-1 lead. Up 3-2, Kirill Kaprizov sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Does the Wild’s mentality or approach change with a potential closeout game Thursday night? John Hynes says no.
“I just think it’s the mindset we’ve had as a group – you take each game for what it is. Each game has been highly-competitive, tomorrow night isn’t going to be any different,” Hynes said.
What’s next:
If the Wild lose Game 6, they will head back to Dallas for a decisive Game 7. The Wild is looking for its first playoff series win since 2015. If they advance, they face the Colorado Avalanche.
Minnesota
NHL announces start time for Dallas Stars/Minnesota Wild Game 6 on April 30 | Dallas Stars
FRISCO, Texas — The National Hockey League announced that the start time for Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild has been set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 30 at Grand Casino Arena.
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