Should Justin Jefferson Leave Minnesota Vikings? Stephen A. Smith Sends Blunt Message After Buffalo Bills Defeat

Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings face fresh questions after a 23-6 loss© X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Justin Jefferson spent Monday night watching his offense stall, and by Tuesday morning one of the loudest voices in sports television had decided the Minnesota Vikings star deserved a way out. After the Buffalo Bills beat Minnesota 23-6 on Monday Night Football, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith used First Take to tell Jefferson to request a trade and to point the blame at head coach Kevin O'Connell and the team's ownership. The timing mattered, because the NFL trade deadline was set for 4 p.m. ET that same day, and Minnesota reportedly moved on a veteran quarterback.

Stephen A. Smith Puts Justin Jefferson And Kevin O'Connell In The Spotlight

Smith skipped the diplomatic approach on Tuesday and spoke directly to both men.

"It's awful. It's really, really awful. And I'm going to say this. Listen, Justin Jefferson, fellas, Shea, this man should ask to be traded. If you're Kevin O'Connell… I'm talking to Kevin O'Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. You're lucky Justin Jefferson even talks to you. Seriously. Because what he has done to this man's career, I'm holding him responsible. I'm holding ownership responsible."

Free Justin Jefferson  https://t.co/54Og0zPVaS

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) November 10, 2026

The anger makes more sense once you look at the game. Minnesota's defense kept the Bills in check for a long stretch before Josh Allen and James Cook found room to work, and Carson Wentz never gave his side a way to answer. Jefferson finished the night visibly frustrated, and his season totals of 31 catches, 389 yards and four touchdowns, while solid, fall short of what a receiver of his caliber normally produces. O'Connell has not drawn steady play from Wentz or Kyler Murray, which is the exact gap Smith wants someone to answer for.

Kirk Cousins Reunites With Kevin O'Connell As Minnesota Vikings Make A Deadline Deal With The Las Vegas Raiders

Reports from deadline day say the Vikings acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders, and the pairing carries real history. O'Connell worked with Cousins as a quarterback coach in Washington, then coached him in Minnesota, where Jefferson earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 with Cousins delivering the ball. Nobody in the building needs a crash course in the playbook or in how Jefferson likes to get open.

Still, Cousins is 38 now, and a familiar face does not guarantee the old results. He arrives with nine games left and a 6-2 team that has to fix its passing game quickly if it wants a deep playoff run.

Jefferson himself is not expected to move, since Minnesota has shown no interest in dealing its best offensive player. If the passing game sputters again over the final stretch, though, Smith's comments will likely resurface when the offseason begins.