There’s Another High-Profile Trade Idea for Vikings
Trade the rejuvenated quarterback after a franchise-tag-and-trade strategy.
There’s Another High-Profile Trade Idea for Vikings
That’s the word from Fansided, a popular sports-themed website, regarding the Minnesota Vikings impending quarterback situation, a decision the purple team will make in the offseason.
Minnesota has a few options:
- Let Darnold walk; go all-in with McCarthy
- Find a way to retain both for at least another season
- Trade McCarthy, and keep Darnold
Fansided‘s John Buhler officially recommended the first option this week, claiming Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should trade Darnold after applying the franchise tag.
“It starts with giving Darnold the franchise tag and then promptly trading him away to a team in dire need of a quarterback. I think a team like the Tennessee Titans would be just about perfect for him, barring an unforeseen return to San Francisco. Minnesota would then turn to McCarthy with Daniel Jones backing up or stop-gapping until he is ready to rock,” Buhler explained. “Tagging and trading Darnold is how the Vikings to recoup draft capital for moving up to get McCarthy.”
The purple rumor mill has hinted for a few weeks that Darnold will likely hit the open market and join a club like the Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, or Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota doesn’t believe McCarthy is a “maybe” commodity or that it’s taking a big, risky flyer on him. He’s their guy.
Buhler continued, “In theory, this could work out flawlessly. You would have McCarthy entering year two of a rookie contract with a potential fifth-year option coming down the line if he plays well. If he does not or is not ready for the bright lights of the NFL, you would still have Jones under contract to attempt to bridge the gap. Of course, McCarthy could be a total bust and Jones continues to be an inconsistent player.”
The Vikings just ended an “expensive quarterback era,” paying Kirk Cousins for six seasons and showcasing two playoff trips and one postseason win during Cousins’ reign. Keeping Darnold would instantly — with no exceptions — return Minnesota to that salary cap era of Vikings football, paying Darnold the megabucks while hoping the rest of the roster could do the trick. It didn’t work before; fans would only hope this time would be different.
“Ultimately, all the dollars that the Vikings would have to pay Darnold on a new contract could go to surrounding McCarthy with the best supporting cast possible. He had a damn good one when he starred for Michigan under Jim Harbaugh’s leadership. My biggest concern is he may just be a better version of Brock Purdy. There is a better verion of McCarthy in the Big Ten and his name is Drew Allar,” Buhler wrote.
“Regardless, the Vikings owe it to themselves to see if McCarthy can play. This trade will afford that.”
If Minnesota took the Fansided plunge, it might be considered the shrewdest arrangement, but it would be best for Minnesota’s long-term future. The only drawback for anybody is that it would limit Darnold’s input concerning his next NFL home. The Vikings would hold the cards and dictate.
On the whole, a tag-and-trade idea seemed wild a month ago but is gradually gaining steam.
Teddy Bridgewater Is Back.
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 Vikings 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.
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