Justin Jefferson (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson isn’t leaving the Minnesota Vikings anytime soon, but there was a chance he could’ve been playing for another team.

According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings were considering a trade that would have put them into the top five in the draft for LSU’s Malik Nabers, with Justin Jefferson included in this mega deal.

“Pssst,” Walters wrote at the bottom of his column. “There was buzz at draft time that the Vikings wanted to move from No. 11 to No. 5, not to pick a quarterback but to get LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was picked No. 6 by the Giants. Had that trade occurred, Jefferson would have been traded, and Nabers would have been the No. 1 receiver.”

Instead, the Vikings moved up to pick Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 after the New York Giants selected Nabers at No. 6 overall. McCarthy and Sam Darnold will compete for a starting position in the following season.

If Jefferson had been moved by the Vikings, it would have been an absolute shock. With four consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards or more, the 24-year-old is probably the best receiver in football. He has already been selected for three Pro Bowls, one first-team All-Pro, and more.

Many may wonder why the Vikings would make such a drastic move as moving on from Justin Jefferson, and it has everything to do with the star wideout entering the final year of his rookie contract and set to earn $19.7 million on his fifth-year option.

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He’ll then become a free agent, though the Vikings reserve the right to use the franchise tag on him, which will cost them so much more.

Justin Jefferson Wanted To Know Vikings’ Plans At QB Before Signing Contract Extension

Justin Jefferson (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson had been an advocate for the team, keeping Kirk Cousins, but he would leave the team and sign with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.

According to NFL Network, the Minnesota Vikings star receiver reportedly wanted to know the team’s plans at quarterback before he committed to a long-term deal.

Now, it just remains to be seen how much the Vikings will shell out in an extension to keep Jefferson around.

NFL Insider Spills The Beans On The Ridiculous Money Vikings Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson Will Earn From His Next Contract

Justin Jefferson (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson is seeking a new contract, and his terms will likely be unprecedented for wide receivers.

In recent years, superstar wideouts like Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, and Cooper Kupp received deals paying them at least $70 million in guaranteed money.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has suggested that the Minnesota Vikings star could become the first WR to earn north of $100 million over the first three years of his new deal.

This offseason, the Detroit Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown a contract worth $63 million over the next three years. A.J. Brown also got his bag from the Philadelphia Eagles and is set to earn $80 million over the next three years.

Jefferson, already owed $19.7 million on his fifth-year option, could step into $90 million territory. He’s considered a better receiver than the Lions and Eagles stars and should receive more money than the $80 million Brown secured.

CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Tee Higgins are keen on new contracts this year and will point to the deals already handed out this season to negotiate more money. The Vikings will then have to pay above all of their contracts.

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Justin Jefferson Deserves To Be Paid Like The Best Widout In The NFL

Justin Jefferson (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson is a bonafide star in the NFL and has established himself as arguably the best pass-catcher in the game.

The Vikings took him as the No. 22 overall pick in 2020, and he wasted no time adjusting to the pros. So far, he has recorded 5,899 receiving yards, which is the highest tally for an NFL player in his first four years.

Jefferson missed seven games last season yet still got over 1,000 yards, becoming just the third player to do so in 10 games or fewer.

He logged 128 receptions for 1,809 receiving yards and eight touchdowns the season before and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, as well as a first-team All-Pro.

Jefferson has also made the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons.