Justin Jefferson rumors: Ja'Marr Chase tweet teases 'krazy' speculation about LSU reunion on Bengals

Vikings star Justin Jefferson has been eligible for a contract extension for more than a year, but a deal has yet to be ironed out. As long as that remains true, it's going to be tough to stop speculation about the former Offensive Player of the Year's future in Minnesota.

Rumors about Jefferson's future swirled even more after Kirk Cousins left to join the Falcons on Monday. Are the Vikings rebuilding? If so, is it worth giving Jefferson the massive contract he's earned?

Whether or not a trade is something the Vikings are going to consider, Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase is feeding the fire. As some speculated about a potential Jefferson deal involving Cincinnati, Chase tweeted Tuesday, "this will be a krazy story to tell."

this will be a krazy story to tell

— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) March 12, 2024

Chase was Jefferson's teammate on LSU's historic championship team in 2019, making a reunion a tantalizing idea regardless of how much truth there is to the scenario.

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Former Bengals TE Tyler Eifert fired up hopeful Bengals fans as well on Tuesday, claiming his "sources" are telling him a Jefferson deal is "in motion." It isn't known what sources Eifert has, if any. 

Sources telling me Jefferson to Cincy is in motion. 👀 pic.twitter.com/4lD96LT4If

— Tyler Eifert (@tylereifert) March 12, 2024

Here's a look at what to believe and what not to believe about rumors connecting Jefferson to the Bengals.

Justin Jefferson rumors

No reports have connected Jefferson to the Bengals, nor have any reports even indicated that the Vikings are exploring the idea of a Jefferson trade.

The idea that Cincinnati could try and trade for Jefferson makes sense from the perspective of an LSU reunion, as Chase and Jefferson both starred with Joe Burrow on the undefeated LSU team that produced more than a dozen NFL players — three of which (Patrick Queen, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Damien Lewis) just cashed in at the start of free agency.

Could it make sense financially? It would be extremely tough for the Bengals to pull off. They have enough cap space to make it work in 2024, but Burrow's huge extension kicks in a year later, followed by a likely mega extension for Chase along with the kind of deal Jefferson would want. Those are just three players on a roster with 50 more. 

MORE: Why Kirk Cousins left the Vikings

With that being said, it's impossible to ignore the reality that the Vikings haven't yet paid Jefferson. They have made plenty of attempts, by all accounts. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said at the NFL Combine in February that the two sides were "unbelievably close" to an extension before the 2023 season. He indirectly reiterated that the Vikings plan to keep Jefferson, telling reporters, "You got a blue[-chip] player, a blue[-chip] person, you try to keep as many of those as you can."

Why, then, hasn't a deal gotten done? The Vikings' season ended more than two months ago, but there is no word that a contract is close to being ironed out. 

As was the case with Lamar Jackson, a potential trade is going to be speculated about as long as no extension is finalized. That doesn't mean there are any indications the Vikings actually want to trade Jefferson, but Chase seems to be at least one former teammate who's taken note. 

2019 LSU football roster

Thirty players from LSU's 2019 championship roster were selected in the NFL Draft, including seven in the first round. Burrow, Jefferson, and Chase were all first-round picks.