Chiefs, other receiver-needy teams on high alert as Vikings mull Justin Jefferson trade

The future of Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hangs in the balance, as Minnesota and its superstar wideout are locked in difficult contract negotiations that could end with another team trading for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Such a scenario coming to pass would be unpalatable for scores of Vikings fans, as the franchise faces an inflection point following a disappointing 2023 season.

But Jefferson is entering the final year of his rookie deal, meaning he is due for a hefty raise that could even make him the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. A financial development within the NFL this week has been interpreted as good news for Jefferson — and potentially bad news for the Vikings and their fans.

Jefferson’s extension grows more lucrative

The NFL’s salary cap will increase by a record amount ahead of the new league year, and the 14 percent increase up to $255.4 million per team creates a number of possibilities for opposing general managers to be aggressive in improving their rosters. As such, “steam” is starting to gather that Jefferson could be made available in a trade if the Vikings continue to balk at the receiver’s asking price.

It is worth noting that the Vikings last summer handed T.J. Hockenson the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history. Jefferson will have taken note of this, as he was not handed a new contract after posting a monster 2022 season, winning Offensive Player of the Year honors after making 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns, helping Minnesota win the NFC North.

The Vikings are reportedly hesitant to give Jefferson a contract where the majority of the money is guaranteed after the three-time Pro Bowl selection missed nearly half of the 2023 season with a hamstring injury. Minnesota is also on the hunt for a quarterback — with injured incumbent Kirk Cousins set to hit free agency — and will likely have to divert significant resources toward addressing that position, perhaps at Jefferson’s expense.

A receiver-hungry team like the Kansas City Chiefs pairing Jefferson with Patrick Mahomes would make for some incredible highlights, but seeing as Jefferson’s extension could end up being worth more than $150 million and the Chiefs have a cap crunch of their own, Minnesota maintains some leverage in its continuing discussions with their franchise player.