Questions Answered: Justin Herbert Trade, Top Press Conference Item, Vikings’ Next RB3

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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the July 22nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Questions Answered: Justin Herbert Trade, Top Press Conference Item, Next RB3

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

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Q: The Vikings inquired about a Justin Herbert trade this offseason. Would you rather have Herbert as QB1 or J.J. McCarthy on a five-year rookie deal?

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Answer: Justin Herbert.

We love Minnesota’s decision to cut ties with Kirk Cousins and usher in the J.J. McCarthy era. Undoubtedly. However, Hebert is a sure-thing, Pro Bowl quarterback. There is no mystery about his upside. None at all. The man hasn’t even reached his prime yet.

McCarthy, on the other hand, is a question mark. He could be great. He could be terrible. He could land in the middle.

For the price of what Minnesota would’ve spent on a trade up the board with the New England Patriots — so three 1st-Rounders — we would take the Hebert trade.

The only problem with the Herbert trade is that he wasn’t for sale, and this whole thing is moot. The price might’ve even been higher than three 1st-Rounders.

Q: What was the No. 1 thing learned from the Vikings’ press conference on Monday?

Minnesota Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center ahead of 2024 Training Camp. July 22, 2024. The duo talked about Khyree Jackson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and the QB1 job, among other topics.

Answer: The Vikings ownership will pay for Khyree Jackson’s funeral and his whole signing bonus to Jackson’s family.

In the grand scheme of life, that was the most important takeaway. For football’s sake, we learned that Addison had indeed done something wrong that led to his California arrest — it wasn’t a misunderstanding or medical emergency — so a suspension is on the table. T.J. Hockenson hit the Physically Unable to Perform List. And the QB1 job is up for grabs, with Sam Darnold as the slight favorite to prevail. J.J. McCarthy won’t be rushed into anything.

That was the presser in a nutshell.

Q: Who will the Vikings sign for RB3 after Cam Akers joined the Houston Texans?

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

A: We’ll predict Darrell Henderson, Kareem Hunt, or Matt Breida.

Henderson has ties to Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams days. Minnesota auditioned Hunt last year before later signing Akers. And Breida is an all-around decent running back.

The purple team could also like DeWayne McBride or Myles Gaskin for the job. Don’t rule those guys out.

You are correct that the franchise will likely explore another running back, especially with $26 million in cap space.


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 MIN 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.