Though there are differing stories on whether the Minnesota Vikings traded wide receiver Justin Jefferson before the NFL draft, one thing is for sure: if they do decide to deal Jefferson, they will receive a huge windfall.
On Wednesday, May 29, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report wrote a proposal that would have the Vikings reconnect Jefferson with former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as Cincinnati Bengals players. Star wide receiver Tee Higgins and first- and third-round picks in 2025 are what Minnesota would receive in exchange.
When both Burrow and Chase are healthy, the Bengals’ quarterback-wide out combination is already among the finest in the league. It would be unfair to defenders around the league to include Jefferson in that mix.
It is, of course, extremely impossible to commit that much money to a quarterback and two receivers because of the salary cap. Burrow’s contract has an average yearly value of $55 million, while Jefferson and Chase are expected to make around $30.2 million each year.
Because of this same situation, the Bengals find it challenging to keep Tee Higgins under the one-year franchise tag when they are aware that Chase will soon receive an extension. Nevertheless, considering Higgins’ talent and the choices he brings with him, the offense would be absolutely terrifying, and the Vikings would be tempted by the compensation.
Throughout his NFL career, Tee Higgins has flashed WR1 potential.
whether one were to be healthy cynical, one might ask whether the Vikings are now saying they have no interest in moving on from Jefferson because the Nabers plan didn’t work out in the end of last month.
Considering that the organization had the opportunity to extend Jefferson’s contract as early as last summer, it is reasonable to wonder why they haven’t done it previously.
Waiting has undoubtedly cost Minnesota extra money on the deal, especially because other receivers have signed big deals and the salary ceiling in the league has increased by $30 million per team during that time.
The Vikings would require a strong package of draft picks in exchange for Jefferson, as well as a top-tier wide receiver to complement Jordan Addison, if they were to ever let him go. Higgins’ return in the trade Ballentine suggested with the Bengals may help Minnesota achieve that goal.
According to Pro Football Reference, Higgins has racked up 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career.
