NFL Insider Proposes Bold Justin Jefferson Hypothesis.
On Tuesday, a single tweet shifted the trajectory of Minnesota Vikings' 2023 season and possibly their long-term narrative.
NFL Expert Proposes Unexpected Justin Jefferson HypothesisTom Pelissero of NFL Network reported, "Due to the hamstring injury sustained during Sunday's defeat to Kansas City, the Vikings are set to list WR Justin Jefferson on the injured reserve, as per sources. The definitive timeline remains uncertain, depending on his treatment response. However, Jefferson will be sidelined for at least four games."
This implies that Jefferson will miss the upcoming matches against the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Atlanta Falcons, at the very least.
As the Vikings' fan base was grappling with this reality, ESPN's Adam Schefter introduced a surprising notion. He hinted that Jefferson might intentionally extend his recovery period due to contract dissatisfaction.
Schefter commented on the X app, "Another potential factor that could prolong Justin Jefferson's hiatus: If the Vikings fail to maintain their competitive edge, what motivation does Jefferson have to return hastily, especially without securing the contract he sought? His time out could exceed initial expectations."
The tweet, eerily resembling something from Jefferson's agent, insinuated that Jefferson might be gearing up for a tussle with the Vikings management. It's noteworthy that Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Jefferson's agents were on the verge of finalizing a contract extension before the season's commencement, but the deal fell through. They had negotiated throughout the offseason, but without success.
Considering Schefter's speculation, there's potential for an in-season impasse, reminiscent of Jefferson's teammate T.J. Hockenson's scenario during the summer.
With Jefferson not having missed a game in his professional career, the Vikings are navigating uncharted waters, at least for the upcoming October games. The team will likely rely on rookie receiver Jordan Addison and the aforementioned Hockenson. K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell, and possibly N'Keal Harry will also be in the mix.
Despite the stalled contract negotiations last summer, Jefferson publicly showed no signs of discontent. Expected to command a whopping $30-$35 million annually with his next deal, he notably didn't opt for a training camp holdout, a move many players in similar situations might have considered.
| POLL | ||
11 OCTOBRE | 50 ANSWERS NFL Insider Proposes Bold Justin Jefferson Hypothesis. Is Justin jefferson the best WR in the NFL? | ||
| yes | 23 | 46 % |
| No | 27 | 54 % |
| List of polls | ||
