The NFL’s best wide receiver is reportedly a name to monitor now in the trade rumor mill.
According to a report from Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there’s some “steam” that the Vikings could be open to trading superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract:
Meanwhile, steam continues that the Vikings could make Justin Jefferson available for trade. The NFL’s salary cap increase of $31 million per team could push an extension for Jefferson to more than the initially projected $150 million over five years.
Minnesota has several difficult offseason decisions to make. The first one is what to do at quarterback, with four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins slated to enter free agency. The soon-to-be 36-year-old is recovering from surgery on a torn Achilles that he suffered in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.
Letting Cousins walk would signal an intention to rebuild. And if the Vikings go that route, they just might decide to trade their franchise star for a mammoth return that would certainly include multiple first-round picks.
Through his first four NFL seasons (60 games), Jefferson has racked up 392 receptions for 5,889 yards and 30 touchdowns.
