Report: 49ers, Jets, Colts tried to trade for Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings received calls from at least three teams interested in trading for Justin Jefferson before signing the superstar receiver to a long-term contract.
The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts all reached out to the Vikings about Jefferson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"This was all before the draft," Schefter said on the latest episode of "The Adam Schefter Podcast." "And every team that called the Vikings before the draft was told, 'We're not trading him.' The conversations went nowhere with anybody."
Jefferson - who became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback Monday - negotiated a new deal with Minnesota for over a year, and his future was the subject of speculation before the two sides finally agreed to a four-year, $140-million deal this week.
There were rumors that the Vikings tried to jump into the top five of the NFL draft in April to select LSU receiver Malik Nabers in a move that would've resulted in trading Jefferson. Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell, however, said Tuesday that the team "never" considered moving the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year. O'Connell's outfit drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2024 after moving up one spot to No. 10 overall.
Jefferson has recorded 392 receptions, 5,899 yards, and 30 touchdowns since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2020. The former LSU star has averaged 98.3 yards per game, a league record among players with at least 200 catches.
Despite the unsuccessful reported attempt to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler, the 49ers, Jets, and Colts added to their respective wide receiver rooms this year.
San Francisco - which shopped star wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel in April - used a Round 1 pick on receiver Ricky Pearsall. With Aiyuk, Samuel, Pearsall, and dual-threat running back Christian McCaffrey, the Niners have one of the NFL's most dynamic skill-position player groups.
New York had an aggressive 2024 offseason, as the team tried to improve the supporting cast around Aaron Rodgers. The Jets signed two-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Williams and drafted wideout Malachi Corley in the third round. They joined a WR depth chart headlined by 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.
Indianapolis took second-round pass-catcher AD Mitchell to give second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson a new weapon. The Colts also signed their top wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., to a three-year, $70-million contract in March after originally placing the franchise tag on him.
Jefferson tied a career single-game high with 12 catches against Indy in a Week 15 matchup in 2022. He had 123 yards and one TD versus the Colts that day.