Another Trade for Vikings, This Time with PIT

The Vikings Have One Tradeable Asset
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

First, the Minnesota Vikings cut Armon Watts, a man slated to start on the defensive line. Then, to make the Watts release sensical, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sent a 6th-Round Pick to the Houston Texans for DT Ross Blacklock and a 7th-Rounder.

After that, it was time to unload an offensive lineman. Free-agent-addition-from-March Jesse Davis was reportedly shipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 7th-Round draft pick.

Davis never played a regular season game for the Vikings, instead serving as RG contingency plan that was not needed.

Who Will Win the Vikings Right Guard Battle?
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports.

The Davis-to-Pittsburgh move indicates a couple of Vikings items. Foremost, rookie Ed Ingram has emphatically won the starting RG job. It was unclear if Ingram would have the oomph to do so when summer began. Minnesota found Ingram in Round 2 of April’s draft, a place where an interior offensive lineman should start immediately.

That plan is proceeding accordingly.

On the other hand, Davis could’ve remained with the Vikings as a veteran depth piece, as Minnesota has a splotchy history with best-laid plans at right guard. But nope. Davis was jettisoned. Therefore, some of his salary flies off the books. Couple Pittsburgh footing some of the bill for Davis with Watts’ surprise release — and the Vikings could be trending toward a notable free-agent addition or additional trade.

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.

Considering his RG frontrunner status exiting June’s minicamp, the idea of Davis solidifying the job was always a little strange. Why? Well, for the last three years with the Miami Dolphins, Davis was a tackle. During his first two seasons, Miami played Davis at guard but moved him in 2019. Ergo, for about five months, the Vikings were on deck to play a tackle at guard.

That is no longer a concern.

As for additional incoming transactions, Adofo-Mensah could still sign Ndamukong Suh, a frequent inhabitant of the Vikings rumor mill. Minnesota and Suh have allegedly talked for months but are stalled on financial terms.

The Vikings were also dropped into Jalen Reagor trade rumors by a credible Philadelphia podcast on Tuesday.

So, we shall see. One item is certain — Davis now plays on Mike Tomlin’s team.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).


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