There are many needs for the Los Angeles Rams. The addition of another wide receiver by LA would likely be the last item on that list. Thus, my question is: “Should the Rams acquire Justin Jefferson by trading the Minnesota Vikings?” Most likely, the quick answer will be “No.” The longer response is that Sean McVay and Les Snead ought to investigate every possibility. The 24-year-old standout is currently unsigned to a long-term contract, so there’s no guarantee the Vikings would be amenable to moving him away. Where JJeta ends up will be the subject of much speculation until Jefferson gets his suitcase secured.
The Vikings have a lot of unanswered questions heading into the summer. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been their starter. He is now unsigned, thus he will be looking for a new contract as he recovers from a torn achilles. No new conditions have been agreed to by Cousins or Skol Nation.
Jefferson hopes that his new agreement will “break the bank.” Is it possible for the Vikings to retain Jefferson and Cousins? Perhaps, but the Vikings could have to make a decision right now. Whom do they give priority to? Given his youth, I’d guess Jefferson, but it’s possible O’Connell would decide to give Cousins one more season instead of starting over with a new quarterback.
The Vikings have a lot of unanswered questions heading into the summer. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been their starter. He is now unsigned, thus he will be looking for a new contract as he recovers from a torn achilles. No new conditions have been agreed to by Cousins or Skol Nation.
Jefferson hopes that his new agreement will “break the bank.” Is it possible for the Vikings to retain Jefferson and Cousins? Perhaps, but the Vikings could have to make a decision right now. Whom do they give priority to? Given his youth, I’d guess Jefferson, but it’s possible O’Connell would decide to give Cousins one more season instead of starting over with a new quarterback
The Vikings are special because they have the option to let Jefferson depart while still having Jordan Addison, their top wide receiver, on the team. Addison’s rise may make Jefferson less indispensable. Although Addison had a fantastic rookie campaign the previous year, Puka Nacua of the Rams stole the show.
Nacua and Addison are both entering their sophomore seasons in the NFL at the same time. Going into the upcoming season, the Rams and Vikings can each boast two outstanding star wide receivers. As previously mentioned, Addison and Jefferson are Vikings. Cooper Kupp and Nacua are with the Rams.
Kupp is 30 years old and has already received compensation, which is a significant distinction between the two teams. As his rookie contract is about to expire, Jefferson is trying to “break the bank” by signing his first major league contract. Another distinction is that, whereas the Vikings might still be figuring out what they can do at quarterback, the Rams appear set to go with Matthew Stafford.
Even though it’s improbable, the Rams and Vikings might switch places. In the words of the former governor, if Los Angeles wants to swap Kupp, they should “Do it now!” Although I’m not in favor of LA trading Kupp, they ought to explore doing so right away while Kupp is still highly valuable. Regaining Jefferson and trading Kupp doesn’t seem like the worst plan.
Why may this be the Vikings’ goal? Kevin O’Connell is the Vikings’ head coach. He oversaw offense in Los Angeles during Cupp’s most successful seasons. Are Kupp and O’Connell amenable to getting back together? Although LA would likely need to provide some draft cash as well, Jefferson’s search for a new contract may provide Snead with leverage to hold onto his better value selections. The Rams may trade Kupp in light of Nacua’s rise, provided they believe they would receive Jefferson—another starting player of exceptional caliber—in exchange.
