Record Set Straight — Again — on Justin Jefferson
Dustin Baker
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Justin Jefferson theories just never stop.
Record Set Straight — Again — on Justin Jefferson
Minnesota Vikings leadership point-blank told everyone at the 2024 NFL Combine that the phenom playmaker wasn’t available for trade, quieting any silly rumors — for about two weeks.
Some believe that Jefferson will find his way to Cincinnati, for example, even if the Bengals pay Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase market-resetting contracts. Trade ideas from February involved the New England Patriots. A few have claimed the Vikings could send Jefferson to Chicago in a deal for the draft’s first overall pick.
But again on Wednesday, the brakes were pumped on Jefferson trade fodder, which is becoming a weekly tradition. The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini tweeted, “The Vikings came close to extending WR Justin Jefferson last offseason. In Indy, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading the star. Kirk Cousins’ departure hasn’t changed things. The Vikings have no plans to trade Jefferson, sources tell me and Alec Lewis.”
It’s unclear if that tweet or any like it will quell the rumor mill. We shall see. For over a year, the Vikings front office and Jefferson’s representation have worked toward an extension while other 1st-Rounders from Jefferson’s draft class, like CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), also await new contracts. Yet, for some reason, NFL-themed media has patience on Lamb’s and Wirfs’ deals but plops Jefferson into every trade scenario imaginable.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said about Jefferson’s upcoming deal at the NFL Combine last month, “We’ve said it, and we’ll continue to say it: we think he’s the best wide receiver in the league and should be compensated as such. We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, think he should be compensated as such.”
“That is not something that has ever crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah replied when a reporter asked about trading Jefferson as a possibility.
Jefferson has one year remaining on his existing contract, his fifth-year 1st-Round option, so his large extension will kick in for 2025 and beyond. No matter what, he’s under contract for another season and, in theory, could be franchise-tagged twice after that.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also said in February that trading Jefferson was ridiculous. O’Connell told PFT Live, “Let me dissect it for you. We have had zero discussions, dialogue about that, either internally, externally, on this planet or another planet.”
Jefferson, personally, said at the Super Bowl’s radio row one month ago, “I’m definitely grateful for what Minnesota has done for me. I definitely wouldn’t be in this situation if they didn’t pick me, to be the fifth receiver taken. With everything that has happened and everything I have gave to the organization, of course, I would want to stay.”
So, the only event that will stop the wild rumor mill must be the upcoming extension.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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