You need a team willing to give you a massive contract, and those don't grow on trees. Even if JJ hits free agency, the teams willing (and able) to sign him to the contract he's looking for is likely less than 5. He's not going to just be able to pick whom he wants. Most players talk big about "winning" and "being great", but the vast vast majority of them take the most money. Here is a list of the highest paid WR's:
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- Tyreek Hill was traded and then resigned to have Tua as his QB.
- Davante Adams was traded and then resigned to have Derek Carr as his QB.
- Cooper Kupp resigned with LA to have Matt Stafford as his QB.
- AJ Brown was traded to the Eagles and resigned to have Jalen Hurts as his QB (after the first full year of Hurts as a QB, where he only threw for 3100 yards).
- Stefon Diggs was traded and then resigned with Buffalo to have Josh Allen as his QB.
- DK Metcalf resigned with Seattle after Russell Wilson had been traded away and before Geno Smith became the starter.
- Deebo Samuel resigned with the 49ers when Jimmy G and Trey Lance were the QB's.
- Terry McLaurin resigned with the Commies when Carson Wentz was the QB.
- Calvin Ridley signed a contract to have Will Levis as his QB.
- Michael Pittman Jr. resigned with the Colts to have Anthony Richardson as his QB.
When all of these deals were made, the only one on that list that had a good/great/elite QB was Stefon Diggs, and he was already in Buffalo. You could maybe argue AJ Brown, but he signed that after Hurts' first season starting where he was much more of a running threat than passing threat. If you're being charitable, you could include Cooper Kupp/Matt Stafford, but again he was already in LA. The theme of these is they either A. Chose to stay where they were, B. Took the most money no matter the QB situation, or C. (most of them) Both.
There isn't a single instance of a WR getting traded (which 4 of them have) and then not re-signing with their new team, which adds to the value of Jefferson. Only 1 on this list was a true FA signing.
5 of them signed contracts with QB's still on their rookie deals (which would be Jefferson's situation).
If the Vikes offer him the right contract, I put the chances at almost zero he doesn't resign here, no matter the QB. It's about the money and wanting to feel like "they value you" or whatever BS players throw out.