Vikings Nemesis Comments on WR Trade Rumors
If the Minnesota Vikings plan to employ a WR2 in 2023 not named K.J. Osborn, it likely won’t be a wide receiver from the Denver Broncos.
In recent weeks, Broncos wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton were allegedly on the trade block with new head coach Sean Payton in charge of the franchise.
Vikings Nemesis Comments on WR Trade Rumors
And because Minnesota may need a WR2, former Vikings executive George Paton is the Broncos general manager, plus Denver’s need for draft picks — some speculated the Vikings and Broncos could pull off a trade for Jeudy or Sutton.
Well, Payton squashed all Jeudy + Sutton rumors, at least for now, over the weekend. “I see and read just like everyone else does. Then occasionally, when someone really crowds the plate, I throw a fastball right at their chin, and they back up, and they’re like, ‘Alright.’ And so I haven’t thrown any fastballs lately, but we’re not trading those two players,” Payton told NFL Network.
A Paytonian comment indeed, the new head coach doesn’t seem enthused about offloading Jeudy or Sutton, despite rostering Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler, and recently-acquired Marquez Callaway at WR. The Broncos lack draft picks because of the king’s-ransom Russell Wilson trade with the Seattle Seahawks last year, but restocking the cabinet won’t happen with a Jeudy or Sutton trade, per Payton.
Payton added, “Those are two good football players. But we’re in the business of gathering talent right now. Why do people call? Because they know we’re void of draft picks and that we might, because there was some discussions a year ago, I think, regarding Courtland. But we like the current group that we’re working with.”
If the Vikings don’t trade for a Broncos or another team’s receiver, they’re down to a few options following Adam Thielen’s adventure to the Carolina Panthers. Odell Beckham is the final viable WR2 on the free-agent wire after Mecole Hardman signed with the New York Jets last week and D.J. Chark latched onto Thielen’s Panthers. One or some of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), Quentin Johnston (TCU), Zay Flowers (Boston College), or Jordan Addison (USC) should be available to Minnesota with the No. 23 pick in April’s draft.
Or the Vikings can promote the aforementioned Osborn to WR2. The 25-year-old is convinced he can do the job and tweeted Sunday, “Just know I’m keeping tabs ?.”
When the Vikings kick off Week 1, it’ll be the first season in 10 years without Thielen attached to the roster. And Jerry Jeudy + Courtland Sutton probably won’t be on Minnesota’s depth chart — if Payton is telling the truth.
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,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.