Justin Jefferson isn’t stepping into the Vikings’ quarterback mess, even after another rough night pushed the issue back into the spotlight.
Minnesota’s 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night only sharpened the questions around Carson Wentz, who was a disaster in the defeat. The Vikings had already been looking at ways to spark the offense after Kyler Murray struggled for most of this year, and Wentz was supposed to help steady things while the defense kept carrying its weight. Instead, he delivered a stinker and left the team looking like it may need another quarterback if it wants to make a real playoff push.
That’s the backdrop as the trade deadline nears, and it’s also why Jefferson’s voice matters so much. When one of the league’s best receivers isn’t putting up the kind of gaudy numbers he’s capable of, people notice. Neither Murray nor Wentz has managed to consistently get Jefferson rolling, and it wouldn’t have been a shock if the frustration started to show.
It didn’t.
Asked after the loss whether the Vikings should trade for a quarterback, Jefferson kept the answer pointed in the direction of the people making the calls.
"Not sure. That’s on (GM) Nolan (Teasley), that’s on [Kevin O’Connell].
That’s their job," he said. "My job is to continue getting open, be the leader of this team.
Come next week, hopefully things change."
Jefferson has stayed remarkably steady through the instability, and he hasn’t spent much time publicly criticizing the team. That’s notable given how unsettled the position has been around him. He was dominant for much of his first five seasons with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold as his primary quarterbacks, but the last two seasons have been a different story, with Minnesota starting five quarterbacks in its last 25 games.
The Vikings are still in the playoff race, but the offensive problems are real, and they could keep Minnesota from matching the rest of the strong NFC North. Jefferson hasn’t suggested he wants out, but if the quarterback situation keeps going sideways, that could become a tougher stance to hold.
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The idea is not without precedent, with Milwaukees decision to deal Freddy Peralta before his final contract year offering a template. Still, the market for pitchers with only one year of control can be tricky, and there is added uncertainty around the 2027 season that could make teams cautious about paying full freight. For the Twins, the question is not just whether Ryan is valuable enough to trade, but whether the timing and return will ever line up in a way that makes sense. [Read more 🡒]
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Hicks career took on a far different shape once he got to New York, where he eventually settled in and produced some of his best years before later stops with the Orioles and Angels. Murphys time in Minnesota was far shorter, and after a brief run with the Twins he moved on to Arizona and later retired after the 2020 season, leaving the trade as one of those old front-office decisions fans still revisit whenever the subject of missed value comes back around. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Outfield Battle Is Putting Veteran Roles In Real Danger
The Twins outfield picture for 2027 is already starting to take shape, and it does not leave much room for comfort among the veterans. Byron Buxton is still expected to anchor center field when healthy, but the club will likely continue managing his workload with time at designated hitter, which opens the door for younger options to claim more regular at-bats. Luke Keaschall and Spencer Jenkins are projected to be part of the corner-outfield mix, giving Minnesota a core that looks more flexible than settled.
Trevor Larnach and Austin Martin are the names most clearly caught in the middle of that shuffle. Larnachs role is no longer secure, and Martin appears headed for a platoon or bench assignment unless the roster picture changes again, which is exactly why the competition matters so much this winter. With several outfielders still fighting for playing time and the front office continuing to sort through the roster, the Twins are entering a stretch where every move could reshape who stays, who slides into a lesser role, and who gets squeezed out entirely. [Read more 🡒]