Vikings HC offers strong response to Justin Jefferson trade rumors

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that the idea of trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson this offseason "is not something that's once crossed my mind." 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the matter during a Tuesday appearance on the "PFT Live" show and insisted the Vikings "have no intent to trade Justin Jefferson" before, during or after the 2024 draft. 

"We have had zero discussions, dialogue about that either internally, externally, on this planet or another planet," O’Connell directly said, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "I feel very strongly that Justin is best in his position in football. Any time you’re trying to reset the receiver market — we know who he is, we know what Justin’s earned through his first four years in this league — you know how hard it is." 

As recently as this past weekend, Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press wrote that "steam continues that the Vikings could make Justin Jefferson available for trade." 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio then mentioned on Tuesday morning that the Vikings theoretically could "trade Jefferson in exchange for draft capital that" could allow Minnesota to move up from the No. 11 pick in this year's player-selection process for a top quarterback prospect. 

While Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins remains on track to reach free agency next month, O'Connell said on Tuesday he believes "we’re heading toward a good place with Kirk" regarding negotiations. 

"It was never gonna be something that would just be easy to get done, but the intent was there," O'Connell added about talks with Jefferson. "The intent is still stronger than ever to get something done with Justin." 

Jefferson is possibly a year away from free agency and made it known earlier this month he wants to "break the bank" via an extension that could make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. 

With that said, he's repeatedly backed having Cousins as his QB1 and, thus, may wait to see how the Vikings handle that situation before he gets serious about potentially signing a deal that could keep him in Minnesota beyond next season.