Popular Voice Reignites Justin Jefferson Trade Theories
They will not stop until the man is extended.
Popular Voice Reignites Justin Jefferson Trade Theories
Those are Justin Jefferson trade theories, and they’re absolutely relentless despite the team’s leaders going on the record for over a year that a trade is not on the table.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reignited Jefferson-themed trade theories on Tuesday, suggesting the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year could be traded during the draft to the Washington Commanders or New England Patriots for a quarterback like LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
“The clock keeps ticking. The draft is coming. Could the end result be Jefferson plus the 11th pick to the Commanders for the Jayden Daniels pick? Jefferson plus No. 11 to the Patriots for No. 3? The Vikings can end that narrative by making the investment in Jefferson, now. Until they do, it’s possible that they’ll give up and trade him — and it’s definite that the price will keep increasing,” Florio wrote.
Jefferson is expected to break the bank before too long and become the wealthiest wide receiver in NFL history. He may even earn the largest paycheck for a non-quarterback ever. Stay tuned.
Florio added, “If they intend to pay him, what’s the delay? It won’t get cheaper over time. The best thing to do is to just do it now, make him happy, and move forward. And if, after months of negotiations, the Vikings realize they’re never going to make him happy, they need to send him to someone who will. The Vikings are clearly exasperated by the situation.”
This offseason, Jefferson trade theories have swirled all over the place, but NFL-themed media have fueled them all. They’re not a Vikings thing. Down the line, members of the Vikings leadership have insisted no trade will occur.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell also said in February that trading Jefferson was borderline ludicrous. 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.”
General manager Adofo-Mensah said about Jefferson’s upcoming deal at the NFL Combine, “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.
And Jefferson said at the Super Bowl’s radio row in February, “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 want to stay.”
The only deterrent to Jefferson trade theories is the actual extension, which should become front-and-center immediately after the draft.
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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