Former LSU star could be on the NFL trade market

Sam Darnold will now be the starting quarterback for the entire 2024 season for the Minnesota Vikings after rookie J.J. McCarthy will require surgery to repair his meniscus keeping him out for the entire season.

Why does this matter you ask? Well, with Darnold thought to be a placeholder and the Vikings seemingly having no chance of making the NFL Playoffs in 2024, this opens the door for trades to set the Vikings up for 2025. These trades would not have otherwise been thought of as an option as the Vikings would want to see how McCarthy performed in his rookie season after impressing early on in training camp.

Which former LSU player may be traded by the Minnesota Vikings?

With McCarthy now out, former LSU Tigers star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is rumored to be a trade option for the Vikings. Despite missing some games in 2023, Jefferson still finished 19th in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,074. His catch against the Buffalo Bills in 2023 is now seen as one of the greatest catches in NFL history.

Justin Jefferson is setting NFL records

Jefferson set an NFL record with 11 career games with at least 150 receiving yards in his first four years, which is the most by any player in NFL history. Jefferson also ranks eighth already in Vikings history with 5,899 receiving yards, and ninth in team history with 30 touchdowns.

What were Jefferson’s stats at LSU?

Jefferson’s impressive journey began before he even arrived in the NFL as he was rated as a three-star prospect coming out of high school. On3 had Jefferson listed as the 1,835th best prospect in the class of 2017 and the 275th best receiver .

To go from that, to being a standout wide receiver on LSU’s 2019 National Championship team to showing out for the Vikings in the NFL in his first four seasons is quite the impressive journey. The fact that Jefferson is only 25 years old means he has not even yet hit his ceiling, so it may be in the Vikings’ best interest to hang onto the former First-Team All SEC product.

Why would the Minnesota Vikings trade Justin Jefferson?

All of the accolades make Jefferson great trade value for a team looking to win now with the Vikings being able to save some space on the salary cap for what they view as a season with no promise in 2024 due to the McCarthy injury. Despite Jefferson receiving a $140 million contract extension this offseason, things in the NFL change at the drop of a hat.