The Minnesota Vikings front office will have their hands full this offseason.
The team likely wants to find a way to bring back quarterback Kirk Cousins and reach a deal on a long-term deal that would keep star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in Minnesota long-term.
A three-time All-Pro, Jefferson is scheduled to play in 2024 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. According to the formula set forth in the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Jefferson is projected to earn $19.743 million.
However, ESPN reports that the Vikings and Jefferson’s agent have been negotiating a lucrative long-term contract since the end of the 2022 season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings watches after a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Steven Maturen/Getty Images)
As the two sides continued to be unable to reach an agreement, rumors began to surface that the Vikings could trade Jefferson. However, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah quickly denied those rumors.
“I never thought about that,” Adofo-Mensah said of the idea of playing a star wide at the NFL Combine. “You have blue (chip) players, blue (chip) players. You try to keep as many players as possible.”
Davante Adams trade rumors shut down by new Raiders GM Tom Telesco
Coach Adofo-Mensah hinted last offseason that the team was on the verge of reaching an agreement with Jefferson.
“We had a lot of great conversations last offseason,” he said. “I think people forget, but there’s a reason why contracts are rarely done after three years. Two more years. There’s an uncertainty that someone has to hold on to – the club holds on. Either you have to do it or the players have to keep it. There’s something new.”
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also vehemently opposed the idea of Jefferson leaving the team in a trade.
“I can tell you, we have no intention of trading Justin Jefferson. There was no discussion or dialogue about it, internally or externally, on this planet or any other planet,” O’Connell said.
“We feel strongly that Justin is the best at his position in football. Any time you’re trying to reset the receiver market – we know who he is and Justin is the best in this league. You know what we’ve gained in the first four years of – you know, ‘It’s hard. … It was never something that came easily, but the intention was there. Justin Our intention to achieve something together remains stronger than ever.”
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson catches a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Jefferson is widely regarded as the best player at his position in the NFL. He missed seven games last year due to injury, but still finished the season with 1,074 receiving yards. His 5,899 career receiving yards are the most in NFL history by a player in his first four seasons.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In 2022, Jefferson had an NFL-high 128 receptions and a league-leading 1,809 yards. His performance earned him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
