Is it possible that one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NFL history may soon be happening???
Most people assume that the Minnesota Vikings have zero interest in trading All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The organization has stated numerous times that their focus is on hammering out a long-term deal to keep Jefferson in Minnesota.
Me waiting for the Vikings to secure Justin Jefferson : pic.twitter.com/poj63dQnbp
— Shelby “Tweetin” (@shelbytweten) March 12, 2024
In many ways, the Vikings recent decision to let quarterback Kirk Cousins walk in free agency proved that they much rather spend for Jefferson rather than Cousins.
After all, Jefferson is expected to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
🚨REPORT: It is “UNLIKELY” star WR Justin Jefferson signs an extension with the #Vikings anytime soon, per Tom Pelissero.
JJ needs to see “what the other piece or pieces are going to be before [he locks himself] in for the long haul.”
(h/t @TPPSkol) pic.twitter.com/rzY7qOrtKd
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 13, 2024
However, will it be the Vikings giving him that contract, or some other team?
The football world was thrown an unexpected curveball when former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert hinted that his old team is currently trying to work out a trade for Jefferson.
“Sources telling me Jefferson to Cincy is in motion,” Eifert tweeted on X.
Sources telling me Jefferson to Cincy is in motion. 👀 pic.twitter.com/4lD96LT4If
— Tyler Eifert (@tylereifert) March 12, 2024
Now, of course there’s an extremely strong chance that Eifert was just joking.
After all, it’s not like the Bengals have a ton of extra money laying around.
Not only do they already have so much invested in quarterback Joe Burow, but they will soon need to extend their own star wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.
Their other star receiver, Tee Higgins, is unhappy with the lack of progress made in his own contract negotiations and has requested a trade.
😱Am i hearing this right?#Bengals are trying to deal with #Vikings to reunite Ja’Marr Chase & Justin Jefferson!
Can you imagine this……. pic.twitter.com/yqNrvICL8m
— SleezBallFF (@SleezBallFF) March 13, 2024
With the logjam of talent and contract issues, it’s highly unlikely the Bengals could pull off a realistic trade for Jefferson.
That’s besides the fact that the Vikings seem to have zero interest in moving him anyways.
They are about to Trade Higgins because they can’t afford him but you think they are going to trade for an even more expensive WR?
— Jake Satter (@Jake_DJ3K) March 13, 2024
However, Eifert’s tweet certainly raised plenty of eyebrows around the league.
Interestingly, Burrow, Chase and Jefferson were all college teammates together at LSU … Their 2019 national championship team may be the most dominant in college football history.
The 2019 LSU Tigers were on a different level 🐯 pic.twitter.com/l6R5w2dWEi
— Football Is Life (@FootbaIl_Tweets) January 19, 2024
Imagine if the three teamed up again with the Bengals???
Ja’Marr Chase has Vikings fans worried about losing Justin Jefferson too! 👀 pic.twitter.com/zdbf62KjSI
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) March 13, 2024
As fun and interesting as it is to think about, the chances of it actually happening are extremely low.
Credit to Eifert for forcing us to think about it though.
Back to the real world … Do you think the Vikings end up signing Jefferson to a record-breaking deal the way most people expect them to?
What type of contract do you think he’s deserving of???
Signs people. pic.twitter.com/9P7DBoXcdh
— Kristin (@KristinF1234) March 13, 2024