Justin Jefferson rumors: NFL insider thinks Vikings at risk of pushing another star away

Justin Jefferson is an elite playmaker at wide receiver, but he has grown frustrated with the Minnesota Vikings offense during his first two years in the league.

Minnesota Vikings fans should be worried about Justin Jefferson leaving the Twin Cities unhappy, much like Randy Moss, Percy Harvin and Stefon Diggs before him.

Jefferson has put up ridiculous numbers in his first two years out of LSU. While he is still on his rookie contract, who is to say the former first-round pick will stick with the Vikings any longer than he has to? His candid comments to Judd Zulgad of SkorNorth.com after the Vikings’ latest loss to the Los Angeles Rams are a bit ominous. Jefferson did not like his team’s energy out of the gate.

“I felt like after the first half we had a little bit more energy than what we came out with,” said Jefferson. “Second half, I think we came out with a little bit more energy, so it’s just all about starting with that energy from the get-go. Especially with a good team, a good offense that can move the ball. . . . We’ve just got to come out firing off the jump.”

“I can only control what I can.”

Since the Wilfs bought the team, the Vikings have had a bad habit of leaving their star wide receivers frustrated. While the Vikings hit a home run with the Jefferson pick after trading away disgruntled wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, how sure are we that history isn’t repeating itself? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is afraid they are heading down that path again.

A lot can change if the Wilfs fire Mike Zimmer as head coach, but Jefferson will be halfway through his rookie deal by then.

Justin Jefferson rumors: Is Vikings star wide receiver unhappy in Minnesota?

It’s too early to put this much stock into an overly candid answer Jefferson said after a tough loss to the Rams. Minnesota did make a game of it, but this was one the Vikings had to have if they wanted a better shot of making the postseason. Should the Vikings fail to qualify for one of two remaining Wild Card spots in the NFC, expect for Zimmer to be out and a new regime to take over.

Ultimately, the Vikings would still have Jefferson under team control for the next three years, assuming he gets the fifth-year option after next season. If Minnesota is pushing for the playoffs under new leadership, then maybe Jefferson’s comments will just be water under the bridge. However, history has not been on the Vikings’ side when it comes to keeping its receivers happy.

This is all the more reason why Zimmer’s successor needs to be an offensive-minded coach.