Report: Minnesota Vikings Open To Trading Justin Jefferson In 2024 Offseason

According to Charley Walters with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings “wanted” to trade up to take LSU prospect Malik Nabers. If the Vikings drafted Nabers, they were willing to trade Jefferson:

“There was buzz at draft time that the Vikings wanted to move from No. 11 to No. 5, not to pick a quarterback but to get LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was picked No. 6 by the Giants. Had that trade occurred, Jefferson would have been traded and Nabers would have been the No. 1 receiver.”

Mike Florio with NBC Sports claims he heard rumors the Vikings wanted to trade up for Nabers. However, his team was unable to confirm the rumor and didn’t catch wind that the Vikings were willing to trade Jefferson if they selected Nabers.

Are the Vikings still willing to trade Justin Jefferson?

Florio thinks Walters’ report is still relevant to how the Vikings view Jefferson. After all, the Vikings continue to sit on the sidelines while divisional rivals like the Detroit Lions escalate receiver contracts:

“In this specific case, it’s massive if true. Not just because it speaks to an alternative universe that nearly happened, but because Jefferson remains a Vikings and continues to not have a new deal.

Until he does, anything can happen. He can sign a new contract. He can be traded. The Vikings can play the “you’re under contract” game for 2024, kick the can to 2025, and apply the franchise tag and figure it out then.

Regardless, his long-term future can’t and won’t be secured until a deal is done.”

J.J. McCarthy needs Justin Jefferson’s help

It doesn’t seem like the Vikings have a choice but to extend Jefferson after taking a quarterback with the No. 11 pick after being unable to trade up for Nabers. The Vikings must put all their eggs in J.J. McCarthy’s basket. McCarthy is going to need receivers like Jefferson and Jordan Addison to be successful in Minnesota.

The Vikings continue to labor on negotiations with Jefferson at their own peril. They risk jeopardizing the McCarthy era if they can’t extend Jefferson or if his price tag continues to climb higher.