Vikings HC Weighs in on Wacky Justin Jefferson Trade Chatter
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used his platform at the 2024 NFL Combine to swat away rumors involving Justin Jefferson. The declaration was unsurprising for most, even as NFL-themed media has spent the last few weeks spitballing faux trades for the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year.
Vikings HC Weighs in on Wacky Justin Jefferson Trade Chatter
On the same day, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell echoed his boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s comments. Long story short, Minnesota isn’t trading its keynote playmaker.
O’Connell told PFT Live on Tuesday, “Let me dissect it for you. We have had zero discussions, dialogue about that, either internally, externally, on this planet or another planet.”
Websites like ESPN, Bleacher Report, NBC Sports, FanSided, and several others have gone berserk in the last few weeks with the what-if of a Jefferson trade, plunking the Vikings playmaker in every scenario imaginable.
“Anytime you’re trying to negotiate a contract to really reset the receiver market, which we know who he is, we know what Justin’s earned through his first four years in this league. Anytime you’re trying to negotiate a deal with the type of player and the confidence Justin has in himself, it was never going to be something that would just be easy to get done,” O’Connell continued.
Jefferson is expected to finalize an extension with the Vikings soon that could make him the richest non-quarterback in NFL history.
O’Connell concluded on the zany trade-Jefferson topic, “The intent is still stronger than ever to get something done with Justin, and I look forward to the time we get to do that because I don’t like the idea of looking down at a call sheet, those words and letters, they don’t look as good to me when I know that No. 18’s not attached.”
Before the O’Connell remarks, Adofo-Mensah said about Jefferson’s upcoming deal, “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. The Vikings must also decide in the next two weeks to extend quarterback Kirk Cousins and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter or let the two walk to open free agency.
But regarding Jefferson, a trade isn’t on the table, per O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah, and his long-term future in Minnesota should be sealed soon.
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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