If Vikings Trade for a QB, It Will Be 1 of These 6 Men
NFL free agency begins in about three weeks, and the Minnesota Vikings will commence the 2024 team-building process.
At the forefront of all offseason dominoes is Kirk Cousins’ status with the franchise. He could re-sign for a year, two or three — or set sail on free agency and join a new club like the Atlanta Falcons or Pittsburgh Steelers.
If Vikings Trade for a QB, It Will Be 1 of These 6 Men
Minnesota will need a quarterback if the latter occurs, and some believe general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could use a trade to find one. The following six players are the most likely to join the Vikings via quarterback trade, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely).
Note: The Vikings could trade assets on draft night for a quarterback, but this list focuses on existing veterans only.
6. Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers
The longest of longshots: here, the 49ers would sign Kirk Cousins on the free-agent market. Committing to Cousins for 1-3 years would put Purdy in Purgatory and likely in line for a trade.
Minnesota could pounce, although Purdy’s trade price is totally unclear — probably a 2nd-Rounder and additional mid-rounder.
This one is unlikely to unfold but is an option if San Francisco cannot resist Cousins’ free agency.
5. Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have trended toward not using their fourth overall pick in the draft on a quarterback, instead retaining Kyler Murray and perhaps drafting Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., a wide receiver, on April 25th.
However, after the NFL Combine, for example, if Arizona changes its mind and falls in love with Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, Murray would hit the trade block. He grew up cheering for the Vikings, so Minnesota could explore The Murray Sweepstakes if it materialized.
It will, though, be tricky to pay Murray and Justin Jefferson for the long haul.
4. Justin Fields
Chicago Bears
When it’s all said and done, Justin Fields will likely be traded somewhere. The Bears have a rare opportunity to draft someone as special as Caleb Williams, and Fields would become the roster casualty. Some team can spend a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder and build around Fields. Perhaps that will be the Vikings with a former quarterback as head coach.
3. Mac Jones
New England Patriots
Jones-to-Vikings was actually mentioned by The 33rd Team this week. Derrik Klassen wrote about the Vikings fit: “The Minnesota Vikings could make some sense. Sitting outside the top 10 for this year’s draft, the Vikings could feel pressured to re-sign Kirk Cousins. Bringing in Jones as a stable backup and potential succession plan makes sense, unexciting as that may be for Vikings fans.”
Vikings fans would be incredibly underwhelmed by the trade, but Jones should be gettable for cheap. He also played wonderfully against Minnesota on Thanksgiving night 2022.
2. Trey Lance
Dallas Cowboys
A homebound landing spot for Lance, the Vikings, has been whispered for a few consecutive offseasons. In fact, had the Vikings acquired him last year, he would’ve experienced ample playing time after Kirk Cousins fell injured in late October.
Lance may not amount to much in the NFL — he hasn’t started a full season anywhere in five years, dating back to North Dakota State — but there’s a slim chance that the Vikings will take the plunge via trade involving a late-round pick.
1. Zach Wilson
New York Jets
Wilson will be traded soon, and some believe a geographical cure could do wonders for the 24-year-old. In this scenario, Minnesota could send a late-round draft pick to New York for Wilson, re-sign Cousins for a couple of years, and hope Kevin O’Connell can develop Wilson in the background.
Then, if he showed promise behind the scenes, he could take over for the Vikings down the road. He also now has ample QB2 experience.
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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