One ESPN analyst isn’t going to be popular among Minnesota Vikings fans for a suggestion he made for their upcoming offseason.
In a recent feature for ESPN+ on “bold predictions” for the 2024 NFL offseason, analyst Aaron Schatz suggested that the Minnesota Vikings should trade all-world wide receiver Justin Jefferson and “reset” the franchise. He pointed out that Jefferson could be too expensive for the Vikings to keep long-term and if they fail to bring back quarterback Kirk Cousins, they could be in a rough spot moving forward with him.
“So why not just go for a total reset? Trade Jefferson for a couple of high draft picks. Use one of them to draft his replacement, the same way the Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs and used the pick they got in return to draft Jefferson. Perhaps that pick can be used on a young quarterback, or to trade up for a better young quarterback,” Schatz wrote.
“Meanwhile, shaving Cousins and Jefferson off the team’s salary ledger will allow the Vikings to sign a number of free agents to improve other positions, building a team that’s ready to compete once they figure out their quarterback situation (presumably with a youngster in either 2024 or 2025).”
While it’s an interesting idea in theory, it’s not exactly something that usually happens. Trades involving bonafide superstars really only happen when the player is unhappy in their current location or seeking a mega contract that the team is unwilling to give.
That’s what happened with Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins, just to name a few.
Jefferson is just over a year removed from one of the best seasons for a wide receiver ever. He had 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts.
So while Aaron Schatz may have the Vikings’ best long-term interests at heart, a trade like that is as unlikely as it is downright insulting to the fans.