The Vikings have made many notable moves this offseason, saying goodbye to Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Za'Darius Smith to name just a few. 

One player that likely won't be joining the recently departed list is Justin Jefferson. The young receiver will not hit free agency until 2025, but has made it known he would like to go ahead and get an extension done. 

One NFL insider thinks said extension may be held up due to another player on the roster. 

Dan Graziano of ESPN recently said Minnesota has been working on an extension, but the team "has some other business to get figured out." 

"Danielle Hunter, their edge rusher, whether they have a new contract with him or whether he ends up being on the trade block," explained Graziano. "Jefferson's deal, everyone believes, will get done at some point and will make him very happy." 

Hunter has long been rumored to be on the outs in Minnesota. The perpetually cap-strapped Vikings are thought to be open to moving the veteran pass rusher. It appears that the Hunter situation will need to be resolved before all of the Vikings' brass focuses on a Jefferson extension. 

Graziano added that Jefferson will likely "end up being one of the highest-paid players in the entire league when all is said and done." Additionally, Jefferson is not expected to be a training camp holdout regardless of an extension. 

With the Vikings attempting to get younger, I believe that Hunter will be playing elsewhere in 2023. I expect the team to either get mid-to-late-round draft compensation for the player or to release him if no deal is reached. The Vikings will accrue $7.6M in dead money by trading or releasing Hunter and will free up $5.5M. 

Do you think the Vikings and Jefferson will reach a deal before Week 1?

Featured image via © Matt Krohn | 2023 Jan 15