Longtime MN columnist thinks Vikings could trade Jefferson, start ‘full-scale rebuild’
The Minnesota Vikings regressed in 2023, and a veteran Minnesota columnist believes that they should regress further more by dealing Justin Jefferson this offseason.
The Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters thinks the Vikings might move Jefferson this spring rather than provide him a new deal. Although Jefferson aspires to become the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver and possibly the highest-paid non-quarterback, Walters thinks the Vikings’ future competitiveness may be enhanced by dealing Jefferson.
Walters remarked, “There may be a greater likelihood of Jefferson being traded than anyone is indicating. “That’s because it doesn’t make sense to pay the NFL’s best receiver the money he wants (expected to be at least $150 million over five years) on a team that’s not expected to be seriously competitive for several more years.”
Walters continues by pointing out the obvious gaps on the roster that may require years to address. The Vikings may be able to rebuild “from the ground up” in a manner similar to that of the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions in the next season if Jefferson’s trade worth is realized. The team has needs on the offensive and defensive lines in addition to a number of free agents, including Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter.
Walters’s estimate that Jefferson could return a significant amount of money if traded is accurate. Despite missing eight games due to a hamstring injury, Jefferson finished the season with 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. He joined Mike Evans, Randy Moss, Michael Thomas, and A.J. Green as the only players in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons.
Although Jefferson might return with a ton of draft selections, other clubs haven’t had much luck selling elite receivers in recent years.
A.J. Brown led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl last season; the Tennessee Titans, who had gone 13-21 the past two seasons, traded Brown to the Eagles for the 18th and 101st picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In the wake of the Brown deal, the Titans also let go of general manager Jon Robinson at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign and head coach Mike Vrabel earlier this month.
