Wild Proposal Ships WR Justin Jefferson to Steelers for Mega Package.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked by pundits to a number of wide receivers this summer for trade. The Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Justin Jefferson was proposed as a fresh target by Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine on May 29.
Ballentine that the Steelers trade Jefferson to the Vikings in exchange for wide receiver George Pickens, their first-round pick in 2025, and a sixth-round pick.
“There’s still room for improvement in the Steelers receiver room right now.” Although George Pickens ranks 126th in win rate against man coverage and 74th in actual catch rate, Ballentine found the wide receiver to have promise as a No. 1 option.
It is not a divider, says Pickens. Working vertical routes is where he performs best as a contested-catch expert.
“One of the league’s most productive receivers, Jefferson is a much more versatile pass-catcher who can succeed on in-breaking routes and outplay man coverage.”
During the previous season, Jefferson had 68 receptions for 1,074 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Yet he participated in just ten tournaments.
With an NFL-high 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards during his final full season in 2022, Jefferson dominated the league. Along the route to earning the Offensive Player of the Year award and a spot on the first team All-Pro, he also scored eight touchdowns.
Throughout his career, Jefferson has participated in more than 11 games and has averaged at least 88 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns.
For the Steelers offense, that level of output would be invaluable. At what price, though?
Jefferson would undoubtedly be a better wide receiver for the Steelers than Pickens at the position. Pickens, though, isn’t the main issue.
Only Pickens, a wide receiver, has more than 209 receiving yards on Pittsburgh’s current roster from 2023. Jefferson would become the only receiver for the Steelers to have at least 210 yards in 2017 if Pickens were traded away to obtain Jefferson.
Pittsburgh’s receiver depth chart, in other words, gets better at the top. Still, there would be an evident WR2 void for the squad.
Pickens is a very skilled and relatively reasonably priced player that the Steelers would lose in the deal. With an 18.1 yards per reception average during the previous season, Pickens led the NFL. His rookie deal is up in two years.
But things are going to get really pricey for Jefferson. Twenty-four, the last year of his rookie contract, will see him with a $19.7 million cap charge. Steelers would then need to approve Jefferson’s extension if he was acquired via trade.
He ought to overtake all other NFL receivers in terms of salary based on his output.
Giving away their 2025 first-round pick is also not ideal, if those factors alone aren’t enough to make the Steelers reconsider their possible Jefferson trade. If the Steelers are unwilling to give up a first-round pick, it’s possible that they haven’t traded for another receiver this summer, like Brandon Aiyuk or Courtland Sutton.
The Steelers might not give up on sending away a first-round pick for Jefferson if that is the case.
It’s not likely that Jefferson will end up with the Steelers for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, it’s not entirely obvious if he is available.
Upon implying on May 28 that the Vikings would be open to moving up into the top 5 for receiver Malik Nabers, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio made reference to Jefferson in trade rumors.
Florio’s notion was refuted by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, though.
“The Vikings did not try to trade up and draft WR Malik Nabers last month,” Seifert said on X, a defunct Twitter platform. “This rumor has made the rounds, and it’s admittedly juicy.” Incredible player, but Justin Jefferson of the Vikings is a superior one.
“Are not interested in trading Jefferson and are still trying to maintain him.”
It makes little difference, if this is the case, if the Steelers are prepared to trade with Pickens and a first-round pick in exchange for paying Jefferson. Nothing will allow the Vikings to leave with Jefferson.