Vikings Connected to Veteran Defender in Trade Rumor Mill

Dustin Baker |

Aug 24, 2023

Nov 14, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) and defensive end Deatrich Wise (91) sack Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports.

One year ago — right around this time on the NFL calendar — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah orchestrated four trades, onboarding Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders, Ross Blacklock from the Houston Texans, and Jalen Reagor from the Philadelphia Eagles while sending offensive lineman Jesse Davis to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Vikings Connected to Veteran Defender in Trade Rumor Mill

If he follows suit in 2023, the time is now.

And according to CBS Sports, the Vikings could have eyes on a veteran defensive tackle from the New England Patriots, Lawrence Guy.

Connected to Veteran — Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) works with a training aid at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.

CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin identified several quasi-big-name players who could be traded before roster cuts next week, and for Guy, his theoretical landing spots included the Vikings, Detroit Lions, and New Orleans Saints.

Benjamin explained on Guy’s for-sale status, “Defense is the name of the game in New England, so dealing a mainstay in the trenches would be illogical if it weren’t for the promising arrival of second-rounder Keion White, a preseason darling.”

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy Sr. (93) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) review game action during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.

Guy, 33, is six-foot-five and 315 pounds with 13 years of NFL experience. Here’s his career resume to date:

Green Bay Packers (2011–2012)
Indianapolis Colts (2012–2013)
San Diego Chargers (2013–2014)
Baltimore Ravens (2014–2016)
New England Patriots (2017–present)

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Lawrence Guy (93) against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Benjamin added, “At 33 and reportedly seeking a new deal since the start of camp, Guy could provide Bill Belichick another opportunity to split with a player too early rather than too late.”

The Vikings currently employ defensive tackles Harrison Phillips, Khyiris Tonga, and Dean Lowry in the middle of the defensive line, so it’s unclear what role Guy would fill if the trade came to fruition. But the Vikings lost veteran DT James Lynch a few weeks ago to a season-ending injury, and perhaps Guy could provide depth — or outright grab Lowry’s job.

Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy (93) reacts during the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31 in overtime to advance to fifth Super Bowl in eight seasons. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Here’s Guy’s Pro Football Focus resume since joining the NFL as a 7th-Round draft pick by the Packers in 2011:

2011: Did Not Play
2012: 61.7
2013: 77.0
2014: 55.4
2015: 69.8
2016: 73.4
2017: 66.7
2018: 89.5
2019: 71.7
2020: 68.2
2021: 62.5
2022: 53.5

Guy won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2018 and has ties to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. If the Vikings were interested in the CBS Sports-inspired trade idea, Guy would be attainable for a late-round draft pick.

The Vikings added another former Patriot this offseason, cornerback Joejuan Williams.

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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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.