Breaking: Vikings Are Closing In On Deal To Sign $14.3 Million WR And Return Specialist…..

Given that he’s looking at the prospect of beginning the 2024 season catching passes from journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold, no one would blame Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson from envying most of the other top quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL.

But during an interview with Kevin Hart on the “Cold As Balls” podcast, Jefferson admitted there’s one tandem that actually does inspire a bit of yearning on his end: Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase.

“I love them together,” Jefferson said. “I love the chemistry that they have with each other, but it’s definitely some jealousy on that side.”

Of course, there’s always the possibility that what Jefferson is actually experiencing is FOMO (fear of missing out) given that he, Chase and Burrow were teammates on LSU’s 2019 national championship-winning team.

That season, Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and a then-NCAA record 60 touchdowns. Jefferson was his leading receiver, totaling 111 catches, 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns while Chase tallied 84 receptions, 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Though there is a bit of a friendly on-field rivalry between Jefferson and Chase – who could be argued as two of the top five WRs in the NFL – Jefferson stated he’s actually still pretty close with his former teammate.

“We always want the best for each other, but also, we want to be better than one another, so it was always a competitive thing, but I loved it,” Jefferson said. “I loved being at LSU with him. He’s my brother, so it’s something that’s going to last forever.”

George Paton worked under Rick Spielman in Minnesota for a decade-plus. Few are as qualified as Spielman to make Denver Broncos draft predictions.

Before joining the Denver Broncos back in 2021, George Paton served in the Minnesota Vikings front office for 14 years under then-GM Rick Spielman. Paton and Spielman are still close friends, which adds a bit more weight to what the ex-Vikings GM said recently about the Broncos’ draft strategy.

According to KFAN 100.3’s Paul Allenin Minnesota, the Denver Broncos are “so desperate” to land one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft class that Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II would be in the conversation as a trade chip to move up the board.

“They’re so desperate out Denver way,” Allen said. “I’m not kidding you, man. I wouldn’t [be] surprised if it was, ‘We want that [No.] 3 [pick] so badly we will give you [pick No.] 12, we will give you next year’s first-rounder, and we will give you Patrick Surtain II.’ I’m not kidding you. They are that desperate.”

Theories surrounding Surtain’s availability on the trade block have abounded this offseason, especially relative to draft trade rumors. No Broncos fan wants to see the team trade away Surtain, one of the NFL’s best young corners entering just his fourth year.

But placed within the scope of acquiring the most coveted and precious NFL commodity — a franchise quarterback — parting with Surtain would be a relatively small price to pay. That’s not to minimize Surtain’s talent, impact, or future potential.