The franchise likely wants to find a way. Bring back quarterback Kirk Cousins. and reach an agreement on a long-term contract that will keep star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in Minnesota long-term.

Jefferson, a three-time All-Pro, will play under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2024. According to the formula laid out in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, Jefferson is expected to make $19.743 million.

However, according to ESPN reports, the Vikings and Jefferson’s representatives are in negotiations over a lucrative long-term deal through the end of the 2022 season.

As the two sides failed to reach an agreement, rumors began to surface about the Vikings possibly trading Jefferson. But, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah quickly shut down the rumors.

“It’s not something that ever crossed my mind,” Udofo-Mensah said of the idea of ​​tackling the star wideout at the NFL Combine. “You’ve got a blue (chip) player, a blue (chip) person. You try to keep as many of those as you can.”

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Adofo-Mensah indicated that the team was on the verge of reaching an agreement with Jefferson last offseason.

“We had a great conversation last offseason,” he said. “I think people forget, that deals rarely happen after three years, and there’s a reason for that. Two years left. There is uncertainty as to who has to hold – either the club has to hold, or the player has to. Money, old money. How do you view contracts? These are very difficult conversations, so many of them don’t work. We became incredibly close.”

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also spoke out against the idea that Jefferson would leave the team via trade.

“I can tell you we have no intention of trading Justin Jefferson,” O’Connell said. Have not discussed.”

“I feel very strongly that Justin is the best at his position in football. Anytime you’re trying to reshape the receiver market — we know who he is, we know that Justin What he earned in his first four years in this league — you know how it’s tough. … It was never going to be something that was easy to do, but the intent was there. The intent is to do something with Justin now. Even stronger than before.”

Jefferson is widely regarded as the best player at his position. 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.

In 2022, Jefferson finished with an NFL-best 128 receptions for a league-leading 1,809 yards. He earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors for his strong performance.