The national media is trying to pry Justin Jefferson from Minnesota
Remember earlier this summer when former fan-favorite Patrick Beverly started a mini-firestorm about Wolves star Anthony Edwards needing to get out of Minnesota? Well it seems national talking heads are training their eye on another young superstar in this state: Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings placed Jefferson on injured reserve earlier this week and that has opened the door for all the national media "insiders" and "analysts" to come in with their own version of "Jefferson is done in Minnesota."
ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday that an "unspoken issue that could potentially lengthen Justin Jefferson's absence" is a lack of a contract extension for the star receiver.
Here’s the other unspoken issue that could potentially lengthen Justin Jefferson’s absence: if the Vikings don’t win games and stay competitive, what is Jefferson’s incentive to rush back when he did not land the contract he wanted? His absence could last longer than expected.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2023
Schefter speculated that Jefferson wouldn't rush his comeback if the Vikings don't win games and stay competitive. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell had already dispelled that idea Monday, saying: "Shoot, he was trying to get back in the game yesterday."
All Schefter had to do was watch O'Connell's press conference (or self-promotion watch the cut up press conference clips on our site under the Vikings tab above).
ESPN's Kimberly A. Martin then followed it up Thursday starting off a segment about receivers that need a change of scenery with Jefferson.
"I'm going to make this quick, it's Justin Jefferson," said Martin. "Because, not only, is the current quarterback on the last year of his deal, and we don't know what Kirk Cousins' future is. But beyond Kirk Cousins and who the quarterback is, Justin Jefferson is still waiting to get paid. And he is the best receiver in the NFL, in my opinion. so the fact that he has not gotten his money and I don't know who the quarterback is, he's got to go."
Look, using his contract status is certainly an easy thing to cling on to if you're looking for ways to pry a superstar out of "fly-over country." If you're going to do that then at least understand that the Jefferson still has the fifth-year of his deal to go and the Vikings can still franchise tag him for another two seasons after that. Sure, both sides wanted something done before this season after Jefferson's historic start to his career but there was no set in stone deadline to hit this year. Most likely, that comes next year.
Then we get to the most egregious one yet. NBC Sports fantasy football Denny Carter stepped up Tuesday tweeting, "Definitely feels like Justin Jefferson has played his last game as a Viking."
Carter didn't stop there. Responding to Vikings fans ridiculing the take, the fantasy football analyst piped back in with a follow up tweet saying, "Jefferson hates his QB, hates the franchise, and the season is over. No reason for him to play another snap this year."
Huh. Outside of leaving Cousins off his top-5 QBs list this offseason Jefferson has seemingly been ultra-supportive of the Vikings signal caller throughout his career. Also, there has never been any mention or insinuation from Jefferson that he doesn't like the Vikings franchise.
Carter clarified that he's using "body language" as his basis for his argument.
"I really do not understand how you all can watch Justin Jefferson's in-game body language and think he enjoys his current situation. The guy is miserable," tweeted Carter.
i really really do not understand how you all can watch justin jefferson's in-game body language and think he enjoys his current situation. the guy is miserable.
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) October 10, 2023
Yes, Jefferson has had moments where he's look frustrated and upset on the sidelines but this isn't a repeat of Stephon Diggs' "Truth to all rumors"phase. It's the case of an ultra competitive athlete who puts winning above everything else. Jefferson has said it multiple times when asked about his on-field body language.
"I'm just competitive, at the end of the day," replied Jefferson when asked earlier this season about cameras catching him glaring, upset at the end of the Vikings loss to the Buccaneers. "I hate losing. I always want to be on that winning stage and celebrating with my teammates."
