Now that the Kirk Cousins era is over for the Minnesota Vikings, speculation has picked up regarding the future of wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the $19.7 million option year on his rookie contract and slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. He will become very expensive very soon, so it may not be worth the Vikings paying that premium during a potential rebuild.
Besides, the return they could get for Jefferson in his prime may help speed up that rebuild.
With that in mind, here are six teams that should make a run at the 24-year-old.
Regardless of who quarterbacks the team in 2024, the Chicago Bears will be going all-in on a young signal-caller in the NFL draft as part of the next step in a rebuild.
Who better to pair with that quarterback than Jefferson?
It won’t be easy to convince the Vikings to trade the receiver within the NFC North, and Chicago would likely have to pay a tax as a result, but the Bears do have the No. 9 overall choice in April’s draft as well as three picks in the first two rounds in 2025. That gives them plenty of ammunition.
Also, only four teams currently have more salary-cap space than the Bears. So, they’d be prepared to hand Jefferson a lucrative long-term extension immediately.
the Arizona Cardinals are going to make things finally work with Kyler Murray at quarterback, they’ll need to get him an elite weapon.
That could come with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft (possibly Marvin Harrison Jr.), or they may use that selection to land an already-accomplished receiver in Jefferson via trade.
Arizona also picks 27th and 35th and has a full complement of Day 1 and Day 2 picks in 2025, so it’s also possible the Cardinals could use that fourth selection on a top prospect at another position and then sell off other valuable selections for Jefferson.
They also rank top 10 in the league with over $41 million in cap space, so the path is clear for a trade and extension. Plus, it would be easier to get the Vikings to trade Jefferson to Arizona than Chicago.
course, it’d be even easier for to convince Minnesota to send Jefferson out of the conference. And that’s where the New York Jets reside.
And of course, Gang Green is all-in on what could be a make-or-break year for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Imagine the 40-year-old with Jefferson and Garrett Wilson?
The Jets do have some wiggle room with more than $24 million in cap space, and it’s possible they could secure the receiver in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick as well as some significant 2025 draft capital.
That would come with the risk of foregoing upgrades elsewhere on offense (the line is a problem), but it’s possible those soft spots could be disguised with such a dangerous receiving duo at Rodgers’ disposal.
