PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
An interesting blockbuster trade proposal has the Minnesota Vikings giving up superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson to an NFC rival in order to land their new new franchise quarterback.
The Vikings lost four-time Pro Bowler and starting QB Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency earlier this week. The 35-year-old Cousins agreed to a four-year pact with the Falcons worth $180 million.
The FanDuel sportsbook proposed a massive trade that has Minnesota dealing Jefferson and their two 2024 first-round picks (No. 11 and No. 23 overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the first overall pick:
The Bears keep Justin Fields and add a superstar WR, the Vikings draft their QB of the future 🔮
Should Chicago and Minnesota make this blockbuster trade? 🤔#DaBears | #SKOL pic.twitter.com/6eagqcAU9B
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) March 16, 2024
Who is the Justin Jefferson of the NBA? pic.twitter.com/4xyVFvlb8r
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 13, 2024
The Bears acquired the No. 1 pick courtesy of the Carolina Panthers, who surrendered their initial 2024 draft choice as part of the package to move up for Alabama QB Bryce Young with the first overall pick a year ago.
If Chicago is open to the idea of building around Justin Fields, then the trade proposal makes perfect sense. Along with two first-round selections, they would land the game’s best wideout to complement fellow stars D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen.
And if you’re Minnesota, you’re getting yourself a true franchise signal-caller in USC’s Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. On paper, it’s a win for both sides.
Justin Jefferson Has One Year Left On His Contract
With the Vikings picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, Jefferson is signed for just one more year before he could potentially hit free agency.
There is speculation that Minnesota could end up trading Jefferson to commence a full-scale rebuild. After all, it’s rather telling that both sides have yet to reach an agreement on an extension up to this point.
The Vikings would receive a king’s ransom in return for Jefferson, who’s still in the early stages of his prime as he enters his age-25 season. The ideal scenario, of course, would be for Minnesota to land a haul that would allow them to take a franchise QB, such as Williams.
