How Do the Vikings Make the Week Even Bigger?
Ted Schwerzler
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Draft week is here. The Minnesota Vikings have circled the event on their calendar for months now. It was amped up a notch when they lost Kirk Cousins and even more so when they acquired a second first-round pick. How do they make the week even bigger? It involves a special wide receiver.
How Do the Vikings Make the Week Even Bigger?
Generally, where there is smoke, there’s fire. It’s possible that the Vikings don’t trade into the top three or even the top five. With the 11th and 23rd overall picks to their credit, they have ample fodder to make a big move if they choose. They could certainly opt to keep both picks and grab both quality and quantity, but no matter what, a new quarterback is coming at some point.
Obviously, someone like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy would be a massive needle-mover. That type of pick signifies a new era for the franchise, and after having a veteran like Kirk Cousins for years, they’ll have a rookie signal caller ready to be groomed and developed for years to come. That hasn’t happened for quite some time in Minnesota, and it’s a move that can reinvigorate the fan base.
Beyond just drafting a new quarterback, though, the week could become monumental in franchise history if it’s paired with signing Justin Jefferson. The best wide receiver in football is entering the final year of his rookie contract. It seems incredibly unlikely he will take the field on that deal, and he’s seeking an opportunity to become one of the highest-paid players in the sport.
We have heard about the potential structure of a new deal for weeks, even months. At no point has it seemed likely that the Vikings don’t intend to pay their superstar; it just remained a matter of what and when. Our own Dustin Baker dropped an exciting update during the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, and it sets up a massive week.
At all points this offseason, Jefferson’s deal has been possible. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah simply needed to meet with Jefferson’s agent and sign on the bottom line. The discussions have understandably been complex and comprehensive, but there’s no way the sides don’t know where each other stands at this point.
With the NFL Draft kicking off on Thursday, Jefferson highlighting the Vikings’ future alongside a new quarterback would be something to behold. Obviously, he’s been included in the discussions surrounding a future quarterback, and his future is directly linked to the quality of that player. The tandem riding into the Minnesota future forever linked together would be cool to see.
As Dustin shared the news during the Timberwolves game, it was also notable that Jefferson was in attendance for Anthony Edwards’ star performance. Rocking a blinged-out jacket, and in Minnesota on an otherwise frigid spring day, it seems the fire is heating up for something to get done.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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