Vikings on Short List for Popular QB
Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, used a podcast platform last week to suggest her husband could or would be traded by the Los Angeles Rams.
Vikings on Short List for Popular QB
“I wasn’t planning on discussing this, but hell, why not? My husband wants to win, he’s not trying to put a team in a bad situation, if you’re catching my drift … you’re catching my drift. Trading away Cooper Kupp, I’m confused. We were one play away from going to the NFC championship, and I think if we go, we win,” Kelly Stafford said.
Kelly added, “I have to be the dog in the situation. I want the respect that he deserves. I love the city of LA, with that being said, I love an adventure. Right now, if the Rams decided that they wanted to trade him, or Matthew decided he didn’t want to play for the Rams, I’m good. I would move my family. Yeah, that might be tough. First month, hard. After that, turns out, I like my kids to learn how to be resilient.”
So, that fueled Stafford trade rumors, and CBS Sports was quick to nominate the Minnesota Vikings as a possible landing spot.
“A return to the NFC North? I think what the Vikings decide to do at quarterback this offseason is super fascinating. Many are penciling in Darnold to return in 2025, but what if another semi-stable organization offers him more money? Then, if Darnold leaves, would the Vikings immediately throw J.J. McCarthy into the starting lineup? Maybe. Or they could acquire another veteran,” Jordan Dajani wrote Tuesday.
The Vikings are severely unlikely to trade for Stafford this offseason, mainly because the franchise drafted J.J. McCarthy 10 months ago for the QB1 job. In theory, Minnesota could force McCarthy to watch and learn for multiple seasons, but most don’t expect that outcome.
“Stafford and Kevin O’Connell are already familiar with each other, having won a Super Bowl together with the Rams back in 2022. Who wouldn’t want to see Stafford close out his NFL career by throwing the rock around to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson?” Dajani added.
Some Vikings fans on social media also decided that Stafford would fit on Minnesota’s depth chart, mainly because of Stafford’s connection with Kevin O’Connell from 2021 with the Rams, as mentioned by Dajani.
Stafford in purple would make sense if McCarthy’s injury recovery from a torn meniscus hit a roadblock, but otherwise, the team is probably poised to start the McCarthy era.
Other teams mentioned by Dajani as ideal Stafford fits? The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans.
Stafford turned 37 last Friday.
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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