Questions Answered: Who’s the Vikings Trade Partner? | a Justin Jefferson Trade | DT
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the March 25th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Who’s the Vikings Trade Partner? | a Justin Jefferson Trade | DT
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.
Q: When it’s all said and done, which team will the Vikings trade with to get their quarterback of the future?
Answer: A tentative response because this could go about four different ways — the Los Angeles Chargers.
We pick the Chargers because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can balance affordability via trade with the team’s high opinion of J.J. McCarthy. With the Chargers, McCarthy may “only” cost two 1st-Rounders, which will almost feel free for Vikings fans who have spent the last month reading about trade packages like three or four 1st-Round picks.
The Chargers won’t do business with AFC West quarterback-needy teams like the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, enabling the Vikings to “get their man” in McCarthy while retaining all other draft capital outside the 11th and 23rd overall picks.
For the record, this website still wants Drake Maye, so consider McCarthy-from-the-Chargers a prediction and not a preference.
Q: Is there anything to these Justin Jefferson trade rumors that never stop?
Answer: Nope. They’re dumb.
This is probably the No. 1 question we’re asked in the mailbag, and understandably so. Nobody wants to see the face of the franchise depart.
And it won’t happen. Like CeeDee Lamb and Tristan Wirfs from Jefferson’s draft, 2020, long-term extensions take time to finalize. Jefferson may want to see the Vikings’ draft plan at quarterback and then lock in his megadeal.
Minnesota will not trade Jefferson. You can write that down in ink. He’s too dynamic and too marketable.
Q: Predict the Vikings starting defensive tackle next to Harrison Phillips.
A: Jonah Williams — but an overall mixture of him, Jerry Tillery, and Jonathan Bullard.
Vikings fans may just have to accept the reality that premiere defensive tackles aren’t coveted or necessary in Brian Flores’ defense. And, yes, that’s quite sad.
Minnesota had the opportunity to explore about six big-name DTs, from Christian Wilkins to Arik Armstead to Leonard Williams, among others. They didn’t. If it wants a high-profile defensive tackle, the franchise is down to Calais Campbell, a free agent, as the final option.
For the Vikings, it feels like “maybe next year” — a common purple slogan — for DT.
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.
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