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Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer
Amid the offseason uncertainty surrounding Brandon Ayyuk, the 49ers confirmed Justin Jefferson’s availability ahead of this year’s NFL Draft, but the Vikings had no interest in trading the star wide receiver and immediately rejected San Francisco’s inquiry, a league source tells ESPN.
The 49ers weren’t the only team to check out Jefferson. The Jets and Colts also showed some interest, but the Vikings weren’t interested in moving the three-time Pro Bowler and talks went nowhere, sources said.
The inquiries came before the Vikings signed Jefferson to a record-breaking contract in June, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. The teams making inquiries thought they could lure Minnesota with an attractive trade package, but the Vikings were only interested in re-signing one of the league’s best players.
San Francisco faces Jefferson and the Vikings on Sunday, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan knows what type of receivers his defense will be up against.
“There’s no angle he can’t run. He can run at top speed and drop his weight,” Shanahan told reporters. “He’s also fearless in his play. His hands are as good as anybody’s. From what I’ve heard from people who’ve been around him, he’s one of the smartest players they’ve ever been around. He’s got it all.”
According to sources, the Vikings signed Jefferson to a four-year, $140 million extension in June, with $110 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. Less than three months later, the Niners ended their contract impasse with Ayuk, signing him to a four-year, $120 million extension, with $76 million guaranteed.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofor-Mensah said at the NFL Scouting Joint Meeting in February that he never thought about trading Jefferson, even if it would help trade for a quarterback in the draft.
Jefferson, the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, started the season averaging 98.3 yards receiving per game, the most in NFL history for any player.
Jefferson, 25, set an NFL record for most receiving yards (4,825) in his first three seasons, and surpassed 1,000 yards last season despite missing seven games (and parts of two others) due to injury. His 1,074 yards in 2023 were the most by an NFL player who played 10 or fewer games in a season.
