Kwesi Adofo-Mensah & Kevin O’Connell Talk Free Agent Moves, Future at Quarterback & 2023 NFL Draft in Eagan, Minnesota, on April 13th, 2023. Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell joined the organization in January and February 2022, respectively.
The NFL bumped its trade deadline by one week in 2024, giving all teams a few more days to examine their rosters and determine next steps.
And evidently, the Minnesota Vikings could be waiting to see the outcome of Sunday Night Football in a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts to decide their plan of attack via trade.
Minnesota began the season with a sweet 5-0 record but partook in a bye after defeating the New York Jets in London — and promptly started losing games. Kevin O’Connell’s team has lost in back-to-back weeks against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, returning the club to orbit after the unblemished 5-0 start.
According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota will wait and see if it defeats the Colts and act accordingly with any trades. “The NFL’s decision to move its trade deadline back by one week means the Vikings will play once more, at home next Sunday night against the Colts, before deciding how aggressive they want to be in pursuit of upgrades for their 2024 roster,” Ben Goessling wrote this week.
What does this mean? Well, a 6-2 Vikings club could morph into a buyer at the trade deadline, especially because the NFC is not that daunting if one considers the Lions surmountable. The San Francisco 49ers are mortal, the Washington Commanders are “new,” and the Philadelphia Eagles have warts.
However, if the Vikings lose to the Colts, well, would folks really want Minnesota selling off assets while showcasing a 5-3 record and a three-game losing streak? Probably not.
Apparently, the Vikings’ brass feels the same way — if Star Tribune has the reporting right.
Goessling added, “The Vikings have achieved their first-half success with the NFL’s fifth-oldest roster, full of veterans who’ve delivered impressive results on one-year contracts. That’s helped the Vikings remain in playoff contention after moving on from Kirk Cousins, with Sam Darnold having the best season of his career, but it also means their window isn’t fully open yet.”
As for targets — in the beat-Indianapolis scenario — general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could target a cornerback like Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns or Jonathan Jones from the New England Patriots. Defensive tackle, too, remains a pronounced need, and if a player like Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans were available, Minnesota should explore the trade price. Several high-profile wide receivers also live in the rumor mill, like Carolina Panthers wideout Diontae Johnson.
On selling, the Vikings don’t have too many players to offload unless late-round draft picks are the target. Players such as Patrick Jones II (OLB), Brian Asamoah (LB), and Akayleb Evans (CB) might be moved for conditional late-round picks.
On the whole, it all boils down to a win or a loss versus Indianapolis. That’s the hinge.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.