Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Sends Myles Garrett a Message Amid Browns Trade Rumors

Myles Garrett made his feelings known after requesting a trade from the Cleveland Browns. “I just want to go to a contender,” Garrett said on “The Rich Eisen Show” during Super Bowl week. After an unexpected 14-win season in a “rebuild” year with Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson made his case that his team fits the bill for the former 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. “Myles, you know where to go my brother,” Jefferson said. “We need one, two extra pieces, and you’ll fill in that piece. We need you.”

Jefferson’s pitch comes before a pivotal quarterback decision in Minnesota, but the expectations remain high. Whether the Vikings re-sign (not franchise tag) Darnold or move on to J.J. McCarthy, they’ll have ample cap space to make meaningful additions to their roster. Currently, Minnesota has the seventh-most effective cap space ($53.2 million) and can afford to splurge in free agency or by trade. Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald estimated that a trade for Garrett, who turns 30 next season, would likely cost a first-round pick. “Given the nature of the trade request, age, and likely extension that would come with this I doubt that the Browns would be looking at a massive haul of multiple 1st round picks,” Fitzgerald wrote. “They certainly should get one first-round pick for him but after that it is probably a mid-round pick with some kind of escalation conditions

Minnesota holds the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could use that as the foundation of a trade. The Vikings have chased at the position before, most recently pursuing Christian Wilkins as a “priority” last offseason. They were ultimately outbid by the Las Vegas Raiders and changed course, signing edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who both rose to Pro Bowl status in their first year in Minnesota.

A top-tier defensive tackle could be a major priority again this offseason, with three of the Vikings’ four top interior linemen poised to reach free agency.