Rumors have been circulating about Justin Jefferson’s removal from the Minnesota Vikings, but it surely wouldn’t be an easy call. Having spent five long seasons with the team, the wide receiver’s dissatisfaction with the team’s recent performance has been quite visible. But, his exit could bring massive financial trouble as the mid-termination would result in a hefty dead cap.

“For those getting crazy right now, trading WR Justin Jefferson next spring would mean $46.5M of dead cap for the, a $7.5M loss,” Sportrac’s official X account stated. “Maybe there’s a draft package that makes that pill swallowable, but most likely not.”

Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $140 million back in 2024. The deal included $110 million guaranteed and roughly $88.743 million paid at signing. With an average annual value of $35 million per season, the extension is structured to keep Jefferson under contract through the 2028 season.

The possibility of the Minnesota Vikings trading Justin Jefferson continues to draw attention as the team navigates roster changes. Some league watchers believe Minnesota could consider a move, given Jefferson’s extremely high trade value. A deal could bring multiple draft picks or young players to help rebuild the weak segments of the team. Yet, many like ESPN’s Adam Schefter clearly disagree.

“I still don’t think they’re trading Justin Jefferson,” the NFL insider said this week. “I think he’s clearly miffed and disappointed and bewildered by the way this entire season — and offseason losing Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones — has gone. But I don’t think it’s going to change much, and I don’t think they’re going to be moving off Justin Jefferson this offseason.”

Notably, this comes after Jefferson has been openly frustrated with the team’s performance, and particularly with the quarterback play this season. Since moving on from Sam Darnold, the team’s 4-8 record doesn’t need much explanation. However, the biggest collateral has been Jefferson himself.

Frustrations peak for Justin Jefferson as he avoids media questions

In the team’s shutout 26-0 loss (their first since the Green Bay Packers beat them 34-0 in 2007) to a Darnold-led Seattle Seahawks, the wide receiver had his lowest output this year.

With just two receptions for four yards on six targets vs the Seahawks, the league’s second highest-paid wide receiver hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving game since Week 5, with just two touchdowns this season and a career-low average of 12.9 yards per catch. No wonder he appeared out of his wits when leaving the field in Week 13.

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After sharing a long embrace with his former quarterback Darnold, he left rather pissed. Jefferson also declined to talk to reporters after the game, a first this season.

“Nothing from Justin Jefferson today postgame,” Vikings’ reporter Kevin Seifert wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He left before speaking to reporters. He finished today with a career-low 4 receiving yards on 2 catches.”

This season has been full of ups and downs for Jefferson in particular. Despite delivering strong efforts in some games, the WR dealt with unstable quarterback play and an offense that lacked rhythm. His career numbers mark a total of 557 receptions for 8,231 yards and 42 touchdowns in 89 games so far.

While the numbers make his dominant potential clear, recent games have not matched that level. The Seahawks game yielded one of the most difficult outings of his career, and his silence turned out to be a major reason for the fans to doubt his willingness to continue with the team.