Vikings GM shuts door on Jefferson trade: Never crossed my mind

Justin Jefferson remains without a new contract, but Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah insisted Tuesday the star wide receiver will remain in Minnesota and that a trade isn't an option.

"That is not something that's once crossed my mind," said Adofo-Mensah, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "You got a blue(-chip) player, a blue(-chip) person, you try to keep as many of those as you can."

With negotiations for what's expected to be a market-resetting deal seemingly stalled, speculation has run rampant about why the two sides haven't reached a deal.

Adofo-Mensah said at the NFL Scouting Combine that much of what he has heard about their negotiations is "completely false." He added that they got "unbelievably close" to a deal last summer.

Tyreek Hill currently tops all wideouts with an average salary of $30 million on a deal signed in March 2022 upon his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins.

Another benchmark for Jefferson could be the title of highest-paid non-quarterback, currently held by San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa and his $34-million annual salary.

Jefferson - who has one year remaining on his rookie contract - won Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the NFL with 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.

The 24-year-old missed seven games in 2023 but still produced over 1,000 yards. He also improved on his per-game marks from his career year in 2022, averaging 107.4 yards per contest and 15.8 yards per catch compared to 106.4 and 14.1.