Insider provides update on Vikings' plan for Justin Jefferson

Ever since QB Kirk Cousins agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, there have been rumblings about a potential trade request by Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

No official request has been made yet, but even if Jefferson were to announce one, The Athletic's Dianna Russini doesn't think Minnesota is going to change its mind on moving the All-Pro wide receiver.

"The Vikings came close to extending WR Justin Jefferson last offseason. In Indy, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading the star. Kirk Cousins' departure hasn't changed things. The Vikings have no plans to trade Jefferson," Russini posted on platform X.

This situation has the potential to get very ugly very fast, but the best way the Vikings can avoid that from happening is by signing Jefferson to a market-resetting deal.

The three-time Pro Bowler is certainly deserving after posting 392 catches for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns in the first four years of his young NFL career.

The number that Jefferson will likely surpass is Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill's $30 million per year average, and the Vikings may need to pay him even more if they don't make any more additions to their quarterback room.

Minnesota agreed to sign QB Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract on Tuesday. However, his 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions in 66 games are very underwhelming.

The Vikings will likely add another quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft with the likes of Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr., barring a trade up from pick No. 11 of course.

However, that isn't until the end of April and Jefferson will likely want his deal done before then. 

It's tough to say how exactly Jefferson feels about his potential quarterback situation in 2024 as he has been quiet, but no news feels like good news for Vikings fans as of now.