What has already been a difficult season for the Minnesota Vikings took another turn for the worst in Week 5. In the fourth quarter of their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson went down awkwardly while running a route, suffering a hamstring injury.
Not wanting him to re-aggravate the injury by coming back too soon, the Vikings placed Justin Jefferson on injured reserve. That means he will miss at least the next four weeks, but there are some people who believe his absence could last a lot longer than that.
Given where Minnesota currently stands at 1-4, a firesale could be on the horizon. If they drop to 1-5 after losing to the Chicago Bears in Week 6, that is likely the route they will take.
The end game for such a decision? USC quarterback Caleb Williams is picked at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft. But, to get to that point, the Vikings would have to lean into the losing, something that is easier said than done.
Minnesota would have to trade away key contributors, such as quarterback Kirk Cousins. He is good enough to keep the team competitive and there are teams around the NFL interested in acquiring him.
Another bold decision would be to trade Justin Jefferson, which one NFL writer has proposed. The suggested trade is sending the star wide receiver to the Baltimore Ravens, whose passing offense is still stuck in the mud despite a major overhaul to their scheme and personnel this offseason.
Adding Justin Jefferson alongside Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews is exactly what the Ravens need to help take their offense to another level. Drops have been a major issue for the pass catchers this season as Odell Beckham Jr. doesn’t look like he has much left in the tank to offer, putting a lot of pressure on Flowers to operate as the No. 1.
That is a role Justin Jefferson has proven he can fill as arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. He would elevate the entire pass-catching group, opening things up for everyone else and giving Jackson the kind of go-to target he has lacked during his career in the NFL.
It certainly wouldn’t be cheap, as the Vikings would be expecting a package that trumps what the Green Bay Packers received for Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders; a first and second-round pick. Multiple first-round picks would have to be surrendered, but a strong argument could be made that it is worth the price.
Acquiring Justin Jefferson, who didn’t receive a contract extension from the Vikings yet, would turn the Ravens into legitimate Super Bowl contenders. It would also increase their odds of being in position to select Williams, reuniting him with his USC receiver from 2022, Jordan Addison.
