With the NFL Scouting Combine upon us, speculation surrounding potential trades are heating up.
Among the talks circulating, a potential blockbuster deal between the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings has emerged in league circles.
Reports indicate that discussions between the two teams have indeed taken place, hinting at the possibility of a significant trade on the horizon.
NEWS: The #Vikings started conversations with the #Patriots at the Senior Bowl about trading for the #3 overall pick, per @DWolfsonKSTP.
It would cost at MINIMUM 3 first round picks for Minnesota, per the @PioneerPress. pic.twitter.com/499Rpt1uQX
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 26, 2024
At the center of speculation is Minnesota Vikings All-World wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Arguably the best receiver in the league, Jefferson will soon command a massive extension which is expected to reset the wide receiver market.
The #Vikings number 1 objective is to pay Justin Jefferson to a long term deal, and it’s “not even close”, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.
Minnesota realizes at this point that they need to make him the highest paid non quarterback in the #NFL.
Minnesota is willing to… pic.twitter.com/3qG6speD9y
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) February 27, 2024
Expected to move off of free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings could be looking for a fresh start and clean slate.
In other words, instead of committing an enormous amount of their salary cap to Jefferson, they could look to trade him – and would surely be able to get a king’s ransom in return.
Justin Jefferson reportedly might be available for a trade.
Who says no #Patriors fans… pic.twitter.com/7yUSTAx5hf
— Patriots Take (@Patriots_Take) February 25, 2024
Of course, kicking a generational talent like Jefferson to the curb is an extremely risky move – no matter how many assets you get back in return.
My man’s be watching too many Justin Jefferson highlights lmao. Already practicing his TD dance. pic.twitter.com/0Ro2VZPPIB
— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) December 7, 2021
However, a potential trade with New England could snatch the Vikings the #3 overall pick in the quarterback-heavy draft.
On the other hand, the Patriots have been dying for a dynamic offensive playmaker such as Jefferson. Needless to say, they would welcome him in with open arms (as any team would).
The Patriots missed on Justin Jefferson by one pick, so they traded back.
What could’ve been…pic.twitter.com/nLrgIpa8cT
— BrycenNFL 👑 (@BrycenNFL) February 26, 2024
However, depending on what New England decides to do with current quarterback Mac Jones (and Bailey Zappe), they figure to be in need of a quarterback as well.
Would passing up on the chance to draft Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams (if he’s still available) be worth it if it meant acquiring Jefferson?
It may very well be if the Patriots have pinpointed one of the other quarterbacks – such as J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix – as their guy.
They would have a chance to draft either with the Vikings #11 pick (assuming they acquire it in the theoretical trade).
This is the kind of logic I can get behind. JJ McCarthy, you are a Patriot pic.twitter.com/AN0CDpgKvE https://t.co/l08BIL4U7S
— TCL (@TitleTalkTCL) February 22, 2024
This Patriots-Vikings chatter will be far from the only rumor we hear about as we get closer and closer to April’s NFL Draft.
Justin Jefferson welcome to Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/m0vQQy26HH
— Jacob ✍🏼 (@Pachecojukes) February 25, 2024
Do you think there’s any truth to this?
It seems that the two sides have at least spoke about it … But do you think there’s a chance of it actually happening?
Would it be a mistake for Minnesota to trade Jefferson???
Every fan of a team trying to do a mock trade for Justin Jefferson https://t.co/c7uUYgcC2x pic.twitter.com/dGiuQH0sXg
— Joe Cool (@JOECOOLSKOL) February 21, 2024