Trade Pitch by the Vikings Flips Justin Jefferson, Selects Franchise QB

Kirk Cousins’ deal with the Minnesota Vikings is fully guaranteed, so by the time the 2019 season begins, there may be a new starting quarterback in town.

The Vikings are reportedly serious about finding a new franchise quarterback, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. He also suggested that the best way to accomplish this could be to use wide receiver Justin Jefferson as the centerpiece of a trade package that can help them enter that specific dialogue.

According to Florio, if the Vikings choose to do so, dealing Justin Jefferson could be the key to obtaining the return to move up [in the draft].” Florio made this statement on Monday, February 19, via The Viking Age’s X account.

As the fifth NFL season approaches, Justin Jefferson maintains a significant trade value.

Anywhere in the league, the Vikings may try to sell Jefferson and receive back at least a couple of first-round picks.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell stated in October 2023 that while he wouldn’t support the plan, “I don’t think Jefferson would land three first-round picks in a trade, the Vikings likely would be able to nab two first-rounders and a mid-round pick or a starting-caliber veteran if they decided to rebuild from the ground up and trade him.”

With their own No. 11 pick and two other first-round selections (one in the top half of this year’s draft and the other with good 2025 projections), Minnesota should be able to have real talks with teams like the New England Patriots at No. 3.

Actually, that’s probably accomplished by No. 11 and another first, along with some inferior draft assets. On February 10, Dan Graziano of ESPN stated that the Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons could be included in a prospective trade that would persuade the Patriots to give up their current position.

Vikings Are Likely to Pay for Direct Trade with Bears for No. 1 Pick Draft Haul with Justin Jefferson 

It would be wonderful to move up to number three, as that would put the Vikings in a position where they could ensure that they either take Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, depending on the Washington Commanders’ choice at number two. All of this is presuming that Caleb Williams of USC will be selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick, as much national reporting from NFL insiders over the past few weeks has suggested.

That said, if the Vikings are willing to punt on Jefferson for a chance to draft a quarterback, they should probably only do so if they can land the signal-caller of their choice. The only way to accomplish that is to acquire the No. 1 pick, which would likely require a direct deal with the Bears.

On February 10, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated that Chicago would need to make a “historic haul” in order to drop out of the #1 pick in the draft. In exchange for the top pick in 2023, the Bears received two firsts, two seconds, and receiver DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers.

Therefore, it appears that Jefferson—worth two firsts and a mid-round pick, according to Barnwell—plus two further firsts from Minnesota (No. 11 in 2024 and a first-round pick in 2025) are about on par with the value Rapoport pegged out before the Super Bowl.

ALSO READ: The offensive lineman contract with the spurned Patriots expires today.

For the Vikings, trading Justin Jefferson would be a bitter pill to swallow.

The Vikings most likely won’t trade Jefferson at all in the end. However, even though it is unpleasant, it is a thought that merits discussion.

Over a new four-year contract, Spotrac forecasts Jefferson’s market worth to be 29.3 million. But when healthy, he’s been the best wide receiver in football, setting numerous records in his first three seasons, all of which culminated in a Pro Bowl berth. Therefore, as soon as Jefferson gets to the bargaining table, he has a decent chance of breaking records as well.

The Vikings cannot afford to offend Jefferson, but they can afford to pay him. The Vikings need to have a solid backup plan in place if Cousins isn’t returning so they can keep their All-Pro wide receiver confident. The front staff won’t have any trouble coming up with a plan—or six—but it might be challenging to find one that genuinely calms Jefferson down if it doesn’t include Cousins’ return.

Without a doubt, he is the finest quarterback available as a free agent in March. If the Vikings trade down and select a quarterback later in the first round, or if they select one with the 11th pick, they won’t receive a definite hit.

Less than a week ago, Jefferson stated that before he signs a long-term agreement in Minnesota, he wants assurances, and as of right now, the organization doesn’t seem to be able to provide them. Dealing the best wide receiver in football might therefore make sense, but there needs to be a huge return and a franchise player wearing purple and gold as a result of the QB solution, which the trade will open the door for.