The Minnesota Vikings are 4-8 after 13 weeks, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is struggling to stay healthy and perform well, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson has seemingly reached his breaking point. Simply put, it has been a nightmare season for Vikings fans. However, this nightmare can’t even compare to the devastating scenario Minnesota fans are hoping doesn’t come to fruition.
That scenario is Jefferson getting so fed up that he tries to force his way out. The receiver is allowed to be frustrated, and demanding a trade is a long way away from skipping media availability after a devastating loss. However, the idea of Jefferson leaving Minnesota has started to come up far too many times for the comfort of Vikings fans.
It doesn’t help that one of the people who brought it up is franchise legend Randy Moss. The Hall of Fame receiver, who’s currently an analyst for ESPN, said during "Sunday NFL Countdown" this past weekend that he would be finding a way out of Minnesota if he were Jefferson.
When former NFL quarterback Alex Smith said McCarthy is a bigger project than Minnesota anticipated, and asked if Jefferson should wait around for his development, Moss quickly said, “I wouldn’t. I would not.”
The current Vikings receiver may not have that mindset, but there’s a chance he does, and that’s scary for Minnesota.
Randy Moss says he wouldn’t wait for Minnesota Vikings to fix quarterback situation if he was Justin Jefferson
Like Jefferson, Moss was also drafted in the first round by Minnesota. He became an immediate star for the Vikings, playing his first seven seasons with the team.
However, at 28 years old, still in his prime, Minnesota traded the wideout away. Vikings fans are hoping Jefferson, who turns 27 in the offseason, isn’t headed towards the same fate.
Jefferson just signed a four-year, $140 million contract in 2024, meaning he won’t be a free agent until 2029. Additionally, that means even if he does want out, the Vikings have the power to keep him around for a long time.
Minnesota has treated the four-time Pro Bowler well, though, so he and the franchise should be able to navigate this current rough patch.
What's important is that it is just a patch. This season hasn’t gone well, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota can’t return to being one of the league’s best teams next season.
Additionally, McCarthy is in his second NFL season and first as a starter. He should be able to develop and be a more consistent quarterback for his receiver.
As long as things start to trend back up in Minnesota, the Vikings shouldn’t have to worry about saying goodbye to their best player.