ESPN analysts wonder if Vikings will lose Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins

"I wonder if Kirk Cousins isn't going to be there does Justin Jefferson want to be there?"

Author:
Jonathan Harrison
Publish date:
Feb 23, 2024 11:24 AM EST

Minnesota sports are all over ESPN Friday.

While plenty of production is going into ESPN's "Timberwolves: All Access effort Friday, Get Up talking heads made a pair of bold predictions about the Vikings' future.

Former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck is jumping on the 'trade Justin Jefferson' bandwagon, saying it's time for a rebuild in Minnesota.

"Rather than it be a reload, it's a rebuild. And that means Justin Jefferson, who probably wants to reset the wide receiver market in terms of contract, gets traded," said Hasselbeck. "I think you look at Kirk Cousins being 36 years old, coming off of an injury and you don't get him. You move on from Justin Jefferson. Accumulate picks and rebuild in Minnesota."

Jefferson is heading into the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. After a record-setting start to his career the 24-year-old is poised to cash in on his next contract, saying he wants to "break the bank."

The star receiver has been vocal in his support for Cousins, saying during Super Bowl week that he would like Cousins to re-sign and "have that connection with him."

"I predict that Kirk Cousins will sign elsewhere, will leave Minnesota and they will trade up in the draft to get their quarterback of the future," ESPN's NFL insider Dan Graziano predicted. "These two moves could tie together. I wonder if Kirk Cousins isn't going to be there does Justin Jefferson want to be there? And visa-versa, quite honestly. A lot going on there to figure out in Minnesota."

While Jefferson advocating for Cousins to stay has led some to believe that the two are tied together, Jefferson has also said "It really doesn't matter too much who's throwing me that ball." The three-time Pro Bowler has noted he still surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in 2023 despite the carousel of QBs in Minnesota (and missing eight games with a hamstring injury) after Cousins' season-ending Achilles injury.

The idea of the Vikings trading up for one of the top quarterbacks is certainly an exciting prospect to pair up with the plethora of offensive weapons in Minnesota. If it comes at the cost of Jefferson though, there will certainly be muted excitement about the development.