One day after the Bills traded away former Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs, Fox Sports’ Craig Carton is arguing that the Vikings need to trade another star receiver.
In a segment on Friday’s episode of The Carton Show, Carton argued that since Jefferson hasn’t inked his deal, the Vikings need to ship him off.
“You got to trade him because if he has turned down a contract that would make him either the first or second highest paid wide receiver in the history of the NFL, he’s telling you I’m not re-signing here,” said Carton. “So you better get value for him while you can.”
Jefferson and the Vikings are in the midst of prolonged negotiations — that reportedly started last offseason — on a new deal for the star receiver. After four record-breaking seasons to start his career, the 24-year-old has a clear cut case for being the best receiver in the league. Now with many people making that argument, including his own GM, Jefferson wants to be paid like it.
What does that look like though? Raiders receiver Davante Adams currently has the largest receiver contract in the league at $28 million per year as part of his five-year, $140 million deal he signed in 2022.
There has been speculation throughout the offseason that Jefferson would not only reset the wide receiver market but also receive the biggest contract handed out to a non-QB. That mark currently belongs to 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa, who inked a five-year, $170 million deal ($34 million per year) last offseason.
With Kirk Cousins now in Atlanta the Vikings have more cap space than they have had in years, with an estimated $100 million in available space come the offseason of 2025, according to Over The Cap.
“I think of those three (CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson), Justin Jefferson is the most likely to be dealt, if not by the draft then by the trade deadline this upcoming season,” Carton continued. “Because Minnesota is not going to be a good football team.”
"The Vikings gotta trade Justin Jefferson. He's telling you I'm not re-signing here."
— @craigcartonlive pic.twitter.com/uK3RoKyxn7
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) April 3, 2024
This all is most likely a moot point anyway as the Vikings have made it clear throughout the offseason that they have no intention of trading Jefferson. Jefferson will be entering the 2024 season on his fifth-year option. Meanwhile the Vikings can slap the franchise tag on him for another three years if they want.
Over The Cap projects the price of a wide receiver franchise tag next offseason will be around $24 million. The second time a player is tagged they receive a 120% increase over the previous season, which would bring Jefferson up to about $29 million. A third and final tag sees a player get a 144% raise over the previous season. That third tag would bring Jefferson up to about $42 million which would most likely be well past where Minnesota is willing to go for a receiver.
