Could the Vikings eventually be forced to trade Justin Jefferson?

It is hard to imagine your favorite franchise trading away its favorite player. Guys like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Ja'Marr Chase, and Bijan Robinson may never get traded. For the longest time, Justin Jefferson found his way on this list, but given the uncertainty surrounding this Minnesota Vikings franchise and their quarterback situation right now, could Jefferson force his way out?

Garrett Podell of CBS Sports went over five NFL stars who could demand a trade, and at the top of the list was the Vikings superstar wide receiver. Here is what he had to say:Then, J.J.

McCarthy happened. Minnesota opted to let Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold walk in free agency last offseason because they drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy wasn't ready for the speed of the NFL game, ranking dead last in the entire league in completion percentage (57.

6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6) in 2025. His ineptitude led to Jefferson posting career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2) in 2025, which dropped his receiving yards per game average down to 90.

2 -- the second-most in NFL history behind Puka Nacua's 95.3 average.The Vikings' quarterback plan going forward is a competition between McCarthy and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray's last Pro Bowl selection came in the 2021 NFL season, the same year Antetokounmpo won an NBA championship with the Bucks. It certainly feels like it's been awhile since then. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.

In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. This year's quarterback situation in Minnesota could also go poorly.

Prediction on whether or not Jefferson will eventually ask for a trade: Yes, by the 2028 NFL offseasonWhile I think there is a pathway to Jefferson potentially trying to work his way out of Minnesota in 2027, should this season go poorly, his stic