Justin Jefferson Rumor Lights Up NFL Twitter, But It's Much Ado About Nothing

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A rumor popped up on social media Sunday surrounding Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is eligible for an extension on his rookie contract, and he wants to be paid. Obviously. 

In an article on the Pioneer Press website, columnist Charley Walters wrote his weekly piece – mostly on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Buried near the bottom (over 1,600 words into the lengthy piece) was this line: "Steam continues that the Vikings could make Justin Jefferson available for trade."

Several of the "NFL aggregators" on X posted that particular line and obviously that riled up fans on social media. 

Vikings fans went into panic, while fans of teams like the Jets, Titans and Patriots started dreaming of scenarios that could land their team Jefferson via trade. 

Here's the thing: this "rumor" means absolutely nothing.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

(Lon Horwedel/USA TODAY Sports)

First, look at the wording: "steam continues that the Vikings COULD make Justin Jefferson available for trade." 

Of course, they COULD. Just like the Kansas City Chiefs COULD make Patrick Mahomes available for a trade. They won't. But they COULD. 

Let's even assume that the Vikings do take some calls on a Justin Jefferson trade. So what? That's the job of their general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. He should listen to all proposals that come his way. 

Let's just say a team like the Chicago Bears – who are very unlikely trade partners for their NFC North rivals, but play along – call up and offer the #1 overall pick, the #10 overall pick and a first-round pick next year for Jefferson. 

Shouldn't the Vikings listen to that offer? Of course they should. But, the Bears aren't going to offer that package. It would be malpractice on the part of the Vikings GM to at least not LISTEN. 

Here's the deal: Justin Jefferson wants – and deserves – a lot of money. However, teams hope and pray that the wide receiver they pick in the first round turns into a player like Jefferson. They're not SHOPPING him.

This is the time of year that people are already pining for NFL news. The season is over and the NFL Draft is still two months away.

So, a "rumor" like this is fun to talk about. It means nothing, but fun nonetheless. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.