Trending News: Two players announced to leave steelers after the head coach is….

Trending News: Two players announced to leave steelers after the head coach is….

Justin Jefferson the Vikings haven’t come close to agreeing on a lucrative long-term contract extension for a All-Pro receiver. With that, trade rumors have heated up, suggesting Minnesota could deal the NFL’s best wide receiver as part of a deal to trade up for its quarterback of choice in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Vikings are sitting on the No. 11 and No. 23 overall picks with a chance to move up into the top-five first-rounders. In a new mock draft by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Vikings ended up sending No. 23 and Jefferson to the Patriots to move up to No. 3 and select QB Drake Maye.

While that mock had Jefferson going to the Patriots, another CBS Sports first-round exercise with trades had Jefferson going to the Bengals. Beyond those teams, the Steelers, Chiefs and 49ers have also been mentioned as making an aggressive move to acquire him the Vikings.

Because the clock is already ticking, with only six days from Thursday, April 25 in Detroit, it’s time for Sporting News to break down all those rumors:

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Justin Jefferson to the Patriots?
Should the Patriots want to trade down and not accept the Vikings’ two first-rounders in return, Minnesota would need to use Jefferson instead of No. 11 as their best asset. The Vikings should — in this scenario — covet Maye most after the presumed No. 1 (Caleb Williams to Bears) and No. 2 (Jayden Daniels to Commanders) picks.

In this deal, the Vikings would not get a wideout in return, and would need to hope 2023 first-rounder Jordan Addison can develop into a top No. 1 for the new rookie franchise QB. Jefferson would also play a significant role in lifting a rookie QB right away so that’s where this deal likely doesn’t appeal too much to Vikings.

Justin Jefferson to the Bengals?
It would seem insane for the Bengals to pair Jefferson with former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to lead what would immediately become the league’s most exciting passing game. Here, it would make sense for the Bengals to deal the Vikings their first-rounder (No. 18) for Jefferson, giving the Vikings ample first-round draft capital to get their QB. The Vikings also could mitigate the loss of Jefferson by getting trade candidate Tee Higgins in return.

The Bengals’ issue, in this scenario, is trying to secure Jefferson long-term, given an extension for Chase is looming. That would be enough to keep them from making this kind of deal.

Justin Jefferson to Chiefs?
The Chiefs, with only pick No. 32 overall to offer the Vikings, would need to go nuts with a multiple-pick package that includes at least one more future first-rounder to acquire Jefferson. They would then need to figure out a way to pay Jefferson. Kansas City had enough cap difficulties trying to secure defensive Chris Jones and were unable to afford cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Jefferson’s next contract is a big enough obstacle would keep Kansas City out of the running in a deal.

MORE: Stefon Diggs among biggest names to be traded this offseason

Justin Jefferson to the Steelers?
This one is a little more interesting. The Steelers would also need a multiple-pick package to get Jefferson as the top receiver for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The No. 20th overall pick in 2024 and a future first-rounder should be the starting point for those discussions. Pittsburgh has room to maneuver its cap to create space for Jefferson, and has a big receiving void opposite George Pickens. Between Wilson and Fields, the team’s top QBs are taking up only $4.4 million under the cap.

Jefferson and Pickens would be a dangerous downfield duo with the strong-armed Wilson. If this trade happened, the Steelers would need to commit to improving the offensive line without the No. 20 pick. If they can do that, Arthur Smith’s offense would have a great deep play-action game to play off a more effective running game.

The Patriots, Bengals and Chiefs might be getting more attention as a possible fit for Jefferson, but it’s not crazy that Steelers GM Omar Khan could end up being the most aggressive, should the Vikings oblige in wanting to move Jefferson for the right return.

Justin Jefferson to the 49ers?
Like the Chiefs, the 49ers have a late 2024 first-rounder to offer the Vikings, No. 31 overall. They also would have give up a lot more in future drafts. Like the Bengals, they have a wide receiver they can give the Vikings for Jefferson too, in return, in trade-rumored Brandon Aiyuk,

The 49ers, unlike the Steelers, should be more willing to swing for the fences with the team in win-now mode after winning the NFC last season. Getting Jefferson with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle would give Brock Purdy an unstoppable offense, especially with league-best running back Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. Problem is, Purdy a due for massive salary spike in an extension, which could come next offseason. That same issue is why some consider Aiyuk a trade candidate.N