Justin Jefferson is traded by the Vikings for a $22 million star wide receiver and a draft haul.
Conflicting reports have emerged as to whether the Minnesota Vikings ever actually shopped Justin Jefferson ahead of the NFL draft, though one this is certain — they will secure an absolute haul for the wideout if they ever do choose to trade him.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report on Wednesday, May 29, authored a proposal in which the Vikings reunite Jefferson with former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as members of the Cincinnati Bengals. In return, Minnesota would get star wide receiver Tee Higgins, as well as a first-round pick and a third-r0und pick, both in 2025.
The Bengals’ battery of Burrow and Chase is already one of the best quarterback-wide receiver connections in the league when they are both healthy. Adding Jefferson to that mix would be unfair to defenses around the league.
Of course, that’s why the salary cap makes it incredibly difficult to devote that much money to a quarterback and two receivers. Both Jefferson and Chase are projected to hit over $30.2 million per year and Burrow’s contract is worth $55 million in annual average value.
It’s the exact predicament that makes it difficult for the Bengals to extend Tee Higgins beyond the one-year franchise tag when they know a Chase extension is imminent. … Still, the offense would be downright scary, and the compensation would be tempting for the Vikings given Higgins’ talent and the picks that come along with him.