As Justin Jefferson awaits a contract extension, the Vikings are starting to resemble the Lions of old.

In a broader sense, I care about the overall health of the industry, which makes me concerned about reports suggesting the Minnesota Vikings might trade up for wide receiver Malik Nabers. However, for the sake of this discussion, it doesn’t matter if these reports originated from a member of the Vikings’ front office or from someone unrelated. The notion that the Vikings are interested in another wide receiver, potentially making Justin Jefferson expendable, is now circulating. This situation is like a looming storm or thick fog, creating uncertainty for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Vikings may reassure Jefferson that the rumors aren’t true, but it’s up to Jefferson and his team to decide what to believe during this delicate time.

For the record, I personally support the idea of trading Jefferson and believed Adofo-Mensah should have explored this before the draft. If the rumored return for Jefferson is substantial, the Vikings could have positioned themselves better to draft a future quarterback and acquire another wide receiver to complement Jordan Addison, similar to what the Chicago Bears did with Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. However, the Vikings chose to retain Jefferson, despite the rising market for wide receivers after deals like those for A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown. At this point, it’s understandable for Jefferson to wait until after Ja’Marr Chase’s contract conclusion to maximize his own value, even if it means missing critical training camp time.

Now might be the time for some criticism. We should acknowledge the challenges Adofo-Mensah faces in balancing numerous interests while adhering to ownership’s wishes regarding spending. He’s likely pulled in different directions, much like a vintage Gumby figurine. However, his attempts to be overly strategic, particularly with Jefferson’s contract, have seemingly backfired.

If the Vikings intend to keep Jefferson, he should have been signed by now. Good teams typically secure their key players well before they become free agents, demonstrating good faith and anticipating market trends. The fact that Jefferson remains unsigned suggests the team may have explored trade or replacement options.

Now, the consequences of delaying negotiations are becoming apparent, complicating a contract that should have been straightforward given Jefferson’s exceptional talent. The Vikings are under pressure due to various factors, including their history of offering fully guaranteed contracts (e.g., Kirk Cousins), the emergence of a talented rookie quarterback, and the competitive NFC North landscape. Everyone, including Jefferson, is closely observing the situation, which may strain the relationship between player and team.

While complexities can sometimes justify tension between players and teams, Jefferson’s situation should have been more straightforward given his exceptional talent. Instead, the Vikings risk resembling the old Lions, a team that alienated star players to the point of disillusionment. Whether or not the rumors about trading up for Nabers are true, they have further complicated Jefferson’s situation.