Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has established himself as one of the most explosive offensive talents in the league, and one couldn’t imagine a world in which the Vikings trade him.
Or could you?
USA Today’s NFL staff listed Jefferson among the five players who are most in need of a change of scenery head of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, citing the fact that Jefferson is clearly growing frustrated with losing and that he is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Of course, the Vikings exercised Jefferson’s fifth-year option back in the spring, meaning that he is now technically under contract through 2024. However, Jefferson is surely angling for a long-term extension, and you have to wonder how those talks between the two sides would go.
Minnesota has been one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, getting off to a 2-4 start. This has resulted in trade speculation swirling around the Vikings. While Jefferson’s name has not been mentioned, the possibility remains that he could ultimately request to be dealt at some point.
Would the Vikings take it upon themselves to move Jefferson? Barring unforeseen circumstances, probably not. Even though the 24-year-old has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury, he has been one of the few bright spots on the team this season, and if Minnesota does plan on rebuilding this offseason, there is no reason why the club can’t keep the young Jefferson around.
The Vikings took Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He immediately stamped his name among the best wide outs in football and has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three campaigns. Last year, Jefferson also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection after leading the league in both receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809).
Could the Vikings consider trading Justin Jefferson? We’ll have to wait and see. It seems unlikely, but nothing is every impossible.
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