Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell (left) and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah react during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
First, it was running back Cam Akers via trade on October 15th.
This time, the Minnesota Vikings fired off a trade with season-saving implications, sending a conditional 5th-Round draft pick from 2026 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for offensive tackle Cam Robinson and a 2026 7th-Rounder.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Tuesday, five days before the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football: “Trade: The Vikings are adding a new left tackle, completing a trade with the Jaguars to acquire LT Cam Robinson in exchange for draft pick compensation, per me and Tom Pelissero. An answer with Christian Darrisaw out for the season.”
The swap arrived after Minnesota’s franchise cornerstone left tackle Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL in Week 8 at the Los Angeles Rams.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert weighed in on the deal, too. “In addition to Robinson, the Vikings receive a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick that can go away based on playing time, while the Jaguars receive a conditional 2026 fifth-round selection that can become a fourth-rounder based on playing time, according to sources,” he wrote. “Robinson, 29, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $16.25 million this season. The Jaguars will pay a portion of the remainder of Robinson’s salary, sources said.”
The trade is also fascinating because the Vikings could be eligible for a compensatory draft pick in 2026 if Robinson departs in free agency 4.5 months from now. The move could be close to free when the dust settles.
Here’s Robinson’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
Robinson is similar to Vikings guard Dalton Risner, with his skill set more focused on pass-protection and lagging a bit in run-blocking. But with Darrisaw on the shelf, Minnesota would never really be able to acquire an adequate replacement. Robinson is the best available option, all the things considered.
The trade also snuffs out any organic replacement plan. Veteran reserve OT David Quessenberry was on track to start for Darrisaw, but that plan hit the backburner. Too, some speculated that Minnesota could shift left guard Blake Brandel to left tackle while inserting the aforementioned Risner at Brandel’s LG spot. That would-be switcheroo won’t happen.
The transaction also signals that Minnesota still perceives itself as a Super Bowl contender. The Vikings have lost back-to-back games, but at 5-2, the playoffs remain in clear view. Trading for Robinson proves Minnesota is “in it to win it.”
Some fans decried that trade as too expensive and shortsighted for an LT “rental,” though most generally accepted the deal as wise.
Robinson turned 29 a few weeks ago.
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.