The Minnesota Vikings are engaged in sort of a contract squabble with wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and there seems to have been no serious talks between the two sides about a contract extension.
It’s rather strange given Jefferson’s otherworldly production over his first four seasons, but given that he may very well become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, perhaps the Vikings’ trepidation is fairly understandable.
But what if Minnesota is unable to strike a long-term agreement with Jefferson? Would the team actually consider trading the star wide out?
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks so.
Per The Viking Age’s X account, Florio said that the Vikings could end up dealing Jefferson in order to move up in the NFL Draft this spring.
“[The Vikings] want, I believe, a franchise quarterback and trading Justin Jefferson could be the key toward getting the return to move up [in the draft], if that’s what they want to do,” Florio said.
Minnesota certainly has a conundrum on its hands as far at the quarterback position is concerned, as Kirk Cousins is headed toward free agency, and it’s looking more and more like a split is probable.
Cousins played in eight games before tearing his Achilles this past year, and with the veteran turning 36 years old before next season, the Vikings may not want to hand him a lucrative deal.
Because Minnesota went 7-10 in 2023, it will not have a chance to take one of the very best quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class, but if it stirs the pot by including Jefferson in trade packages, that may change things.
Of course, this is all hearsay at this point. The Vikings could very well reach a pact with Jefferson in the coming weeks. But as of right now, anything is on the table.
That apparently includes Minnesota potentially trading Justin Jefferson.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
