Wild Justin Jefferson Trade Pitch Makes the Rounds
The Minnesota Vikings, mainly because of their quarterback situation, have not involved Justin Jefferson in the offense as of late, prompting NFL media to speculate about a 2026 offseason trade. One such theory connected Jefferson to the San Francisco 49ers last week.
A wild Justin Jefferson trade pitch is making the rounds, raising questions about whether the Vikings would ever consider moving their superstar receiver.
A Jefferson trade is severely unlikely, but here’s what the world has in mind.
Justin Jefferson to 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk and Picks?
Fans would groan. That’s all there is to it.
The Proposed Jefferson Trade Package
The latest Jefferson trade theory came to life from NinersWire.com.
Kyle Madison wrote, “With the potential for a lengthy QB search ahead, it doesn’t seem impossible that the Vikings would look to move Jefferson for the right price.”
“Here’s what we offered in a hypothetical trade: 49ers get: Justin Jefferson. Vikings get: Brandon Aiyuk, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 second-round pick. The value for the 49ers would be tough to assess because they’re still in the midst of a retooling where restocking their cupboard with young talent is paramount.”
So, for the best wide receiver in the business, the Vikings would gain Brandon Aiyuk, a 1st-Rounder, a 2nd-Rounder, and a 3rd-Rounder.
Aiyuk Doesn’t Even Play
In Aiyuk, NinersWire has decided to donate its injured, problem player to the Vikings. Aiyuk signed a monster contract in 2024, played disinterestedly to start last season, and then got hurt. He has not returned.
It makes all the sense in the world that 49ers-themed media would want to get rid of Aiyuk. His contract is awful, and he does not play.
In some ways, it’s just a method for some to say, “Here you go” for a player who contributes nothing.
Jefferson Not Realistically on the Trade Block
While Jefferson, in theory, would have a legitimate case to leave the Vikings if the passing offense simply never improved, even he may stick around for the long haul. Jefferson signed an extension in 2024, is a team captain, and has never been the kind of player to endorse team abandonment.
Things would have to get unsolvably dire for Jefferson to want out.
Thankfully, for his sake and the whole organization, his quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, played quite well last weekend, and there’s hope that McCarthy could turn the corner. If so, assuming McCarthy shows growth in the season’s final four games, trading Jefferson will be fully null and void.
Minnesota just needs competent quarterback play — from somewhere — to appease Jefferson and cancel any trade fodder created by the masses.
Financial Hurdles
The trade deadline is long gone, so Jefferson isn’t moving in-season. But once the offseason hits, if the Vikings still can’t show him a real quarterback plan, nobody should be shocked if he wants out. Stars chase wins, and Minnesota’s current setup has nothing resembling a solution.
Of course, the preferred outcome is Minnesota landing a quarterback good enough to make Jefferson believe in the future. But if he ever did push for an exit, this is exactly how the buildup would look — the offense failing to feature him, losses stacking, and frustration brewing.
And if Minnesota actually followed through on the NinersWire theory, they’d be staring at $46 million in dead money with any trade executed before June 1, 2026.
More from Madison
Madison also expanded on his Jefferson trade theory: “The value for the 49ers would be tough to assess because they’re still in the midst of a retooling where restocking their cupboard with young talent is paramount.”
“The Aiyuk aspect is a little bit tricky since he doesn’t have guarantees on his contract next year and will probably be released. A trade involving him might require a reworked contract, which the Vikings would also need to agree to. Ultimately if Jefferson does become available, the 49ers should be in heavy pursuit of the 26-year-old.”
Jefferson is striving to reach 1,000+ receiving yards for a sixth consecutive season, and he’ll need a competent McCarthy to do it.
“He is one of the best playmakers in the NFL, and he’d add pop to an offense that’s stars are all in or entering their 30s. Across 89 games in six seasons Jefferson has 557 receptions for 8,231 yards and 42 touchdowns. He had 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons, and he had at least 1,400 in four of his first five seasons,” Madison added.
“Jefferson has been an Offensive Player of the Year, and has four Pro Bowl trips to go along with four All-Pro nods. Finding a proven top-end WR to help replace Aiyuk would be a massive win for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.”
It’s also worth noting that the Vikings traded Randy Moss after seven seasons. The go-round is Jefferson’s sixth. Here’s to hoping history doesn’t repeat.
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