ESPN Voice Floats the Unthinkable for Justin Jefferson
Because the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback play has underwhelmed just about everything through 12 weeks of 2025, some believe wide receiver Justin Jefferson could or should be traded, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith leading the charge this week.
An ESPN voice has floated the unthinkable for Justin Jefferson, sparking new debate about what the Vikings might consider with their superstar.
Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy has not taken off as a productive passer in the league through six starts, sinking Jefferson’s numbers to career lows and leading many to speculate about his future.
Stephen A. Smith Backhandedly Recommends Justin Jefferson Trade
The Vikings probably won’t do it, but the idea is out there.
Stephen A. Smith Says Jefferson Could Ask for Trade
Smith said on First Take this week, “I wouldn’t blame Justin Jefferson if he asked to be traded. I’m disgusted with the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve been very, very reluctant to say that.”
“Now, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the general manager for the Minnesota Vikings, and listen, I’m unapologetic, brothers in executive positions, I root for them because we don’t see that too often. I’m very, very happy, and I’m rooting for the brother. But him, and Kevin O’Connell made a joint decision, and they miscalculated. I understand why. Sam Darnold was a free agent.”
It’s worth noting, for full disclosure, that Smith was the leading voice criticizing Darnold last year, even when the operation ran smoothly, in fact. Smith even called Darnold a “virus.” Now, he views him in a favorable light.
“You’re looking to move on because this brother played so well last year that he was in a position to triple his salary. Here’s my problem: this is Justin Jefferson, y’all. This is an all-world receiver. The first five years of his NFL career, we weren’t talking about him being great, we were talking legacy,” Smith continued regrading Jefferson.
“We were talking about whether or not he was going to be in that conversation with the Jerry Rices and and Randy Moss’ of the world. What you don’t do to somebody like that is take away their damn quarterback for a rookie that is unproven. You don’t do that.”
A $46 Million Hurdle
Pretend the Vikings decided to rip the franchise apart and rebuild it from the ground up, including a Jefferson trade.
Shipping Jefferson elsewhere for draft picks during the offseason would sock Minnesota with a $46 million dead cap penalty if the deal culminated before June 1st. And that’s just not a wise strategy. Trading the best player for a ridiculous $46 million penalty is a fireable offence, along the lines of the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic for peanuts.
If Adofo-Mensah wishes to trade Jefferson, that’s probably a 2026 regular season thing or 2027 offseason plan.
Jefferson Won’t Skedaddle at First Sign of Distress
Meanwhile, Jefferson seems committed to the Vikings. He’s not the type of wide receiver who airs his grievances in public, and in fact, when he speaks, he stands fully behind McCarthy, who is struggling mightily this season.
It’s one thing for a player to squawk and ask for a trade; it’s another for the organization to get rid of its best player preemptively.
The last time the Vikings traded their best player, Randy Moss went to Oakland, and Minnesota bungled the compensation.
A QB Mystery for 2026
The key to putting Jefferson fears at bay is a productive quarterback. McCarthy and Jefferson have not built a meaningful rapport yet, mainly because McCarthy struggles to complete basic passes. As it stands, McCarthy will probably be in the mix somewhere as Minnesota’s quarterback in 2026, but the club is expected to explore an alternative, at least someone to compete with McCarthy next summer for the top job.
If the Vikings can solve the QB1 spot — by trading for Kyler Murray or Mac Jones, for example — Jefferson-themed trade fodder can easily die.
It’s worth noting that Max Brosmer will likely take snaps as the QB1 this weekend. If he’s any good, Minnesota may not need a different signal-caller for the long term. There’s a world where Brosmer can be “the guy,” albeit far off.
The Broncos as a Trade Partner
NFL writer Tony Adame floated the Denver Broncos as a trade destination for Jefferson a couple of weeks ago.
He explained, “If you think the Denver Broncos are hot right now as winners of 7 consecutive games, wait until you see what happens this offseason. That’s when the franchise will finally be unburdened of $85 million in dead cap money they’ve had to swallow the last 2 seasons because of the disastrous Russell Wilson contract.”
“Armed with owners who have deep pockets unlike any other franchise in professional sports, the 2026 offseason could see the Broncos become headline makers in terms of personnel moves. If Jefferson can just bring himself to say he wants out of Minnesota, then there are several teams who could make a deal like that work.”
Jefferson will turn 27 next summer.
Adame continued, “The Broncos could be one of them. Here’s how they could do it. The price for Jefferson, in terms of draft picks, is 2 first rounders without batting an eye. The Broncos would probably have to give up a wide receiver as well, and in this case you might be able to give up Courtland Sutton and cut out 1 of the first rounders.”
“They could also be forced to give up a talented young wide receiver like Pat Bryant or Troy Franklin.”
Find a productive quarterback, and the Jefferson trade rumor mill can die. Pretty straightforward.
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