Purple Headlines of the Week: Za’Darius Smith Trade, Schedule Release, Justin Jefferson Contract Update
Josh Frey
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This week, we saw the NFL world buzzing from the release of the 2023 NFL schedule. However, there were plenty of other purple headlines, including a massive trade that captured the eyes of Vikings fans this week. Here is a quick breakdown of them all as we head into mid-May.
We Know the Vikings 2023 Schedule
On Thursday evening, the NFL officially released the 2023 regular season schedule. Featured in it are five primetime games for the Minnesota Vikings, including a Thursday Night Football game as well as a pair of Sunday Night and Monday Night games. This is the most primetime games the Vikings will play since 2018 when they were coming off their NFC Championship appearance the year before. Here’s a full look at the Vikings 18-week schedule:
- Week 1: vs. Buccaneers (9/10)
- Week 2: at Eagles (9/14, TNF)
- Week 3: vs. Chargers (9/24)
- Week 4: at Panthers (10/1)
- Week 5: vs. Chiefs (10/8)
- Week 6: at Bears (10/15)
- Week 7: vs. 49ers (10/23, MNF)
- Week 8: at Packers (10/29)
- Week 9: at Falcons (11/5)
- Week 10: vs. Saints (11/12)
- Week 11: at Broncos (11/19, SNF)
- Week 12: vs. Bears (11/27, MNF)
- Week 13: BYE
- Week 14: at Raiders (12/10)
- Week 15: at Bengals (TBD)
- Week 16: vs. Lions (12/24)
- Week 17: vs. Packers (12/31, SNF)
- Week 18: at Lions (TBD)
Remain Patient Regarding a Justin Jefferson Extension
This offseason is supposed to be the one where star wide receiver Justin Jefferson gets a lucrative contract extension to remain in Minnesota for years to come. However, that contract has not come yet, and it may have some Vikings fans getting anxious. Head coach Kevin O’Connell once again emphasized patience on that front, though, in an interview with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
“I don’t know if I’d put a timeline on it,” O’Connell said. “I just know that, you know, we very much are looking forward to having Justin play here for a really long time. He has significantly impacted our organization in so many positive ways on and off the field.”
“I look forward to when we get that done and we can move forward knowing that Justin’s going to be here for the long term and we will get that done. Justin knows, his representation knows exactly how we feel about him. We’ll work through that process here over the rest of this spring on into summer and then if we can get something done nobody will be more excited about it than me and we’ll be looking forward to seeing what Justin does in year two in this offense.”
Jefferson is coming off a 2022 season where he became the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in receptions and receiving yards while being named the Offensive Player of the Year.
Za’Darius Smith Heads to Cleveland
Earlier this offseason, Za’Darius Smith requested that he be released from the Minnesota Vikings after recording 10 sacks in 2022. As a response, the Vikings signed Marcus Davenport in free agency, but on the Smith front, it had largely been radio silence prior to this week.
That changed on Friday when the team announced that Smith had been traded to the Cleveland Browns. In addition, Cleveland receives sixth and seventh-round picks in 2025 while the Vikings get two fifth-round picks, one in 2024 and another in 2025.
Smith joins a Browns defense that recorded just 34 sacks last season, 16 of which were a result of Myles Garrett. The team desperately needed another pass-rusher, and they get a terrific one in this trade. Meanwhile, the Vikings free up a large chunk of cap space to sign their rookies.
In Case You Missed It…
For the extra studious Vikings fan, we have a few more headlines that you can read about this week as well! Take a look at the list below:
- A Feel-Good Story in the NFL
- Former Vikings O-Lineman Reunites with Former Vikings Coach
- Vikings Hype Train Leaves the Station
- Takeaways from the Vikings Schedule
- The Most Underrated Viking
- 3 Dragons the Vikings Can Slay in 2023
Beware an Ultra Motivated Kirk Cousins
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.