Vikings Trade Rumors Ignite for the Sauce
Minnesota Vikings free agency has flossed power moves, including the signings of Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB). The club also re-signed Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.
Vikings Trade Rumors Ignite for the Sauce
And in the middle of the swarming process, Vikings trade rumors involving New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner hit the digital stratosphere.
It should be immediately noted that the rumors have not been vetted by any credible local or national reporter. However, like most rumors, the idea of Gardner in Minnesota has taken the attention of Vikings fans, especially on a day when the Vikings added Fries, Allen, and Hargrave.
The Gardner theory appeared to sprout from an account named “Playmaker Dave,” who boasts an impressive social media accuracy run, predicting events like Daniel Jones to the Vikings a few months ago, Davante Adams to the Los Angeles Rams, and Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, among other fulfilled prophecies.
The account tweeted Tuesday, “SOURCE: Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets in discussions for blockbuster trade involving Sauce Gardner ‘lots of movement in the last 24 hours and the cap situation makes it all work.'”
Last weekend, Gardner actually tweeted about the Vikings — but about the prospect of Aaron Rodgers joining the purple team. “If Aaron goes to the Vikings, he might be #1 in all QB stats,” Gardner posted to X.
In November, Gardner spoke favorably about Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. “He’s nice. That’s probably one of the only games this year I was like thinking, ‘Do I really want to gamble against him? Bro, he is probably one of the best OCs I’ve ever played against, like ever,” Gardner said on The Richard Sherman Podcast.
Without Gardner, here’s the purple CB room through two days of free agency:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Nahshon Wright
- Ambry Thomas
And Gardner’s Pro Football Focus grades through four seasons:
- 2024: 70.2
- 2023: 88.6
- 2022: 87.9
It’s unclear how much Gardner would cost via trade, but a reasonable estimate might be the Vikings’ 24th overall pick in April, plus next year’s 2nd-Rounder, though that is merely speculative — with a trade that may have no basis in reality in the first place.
Of course, Vikings fans would welcome Gardner with open arms.
He’ll turn 25 this summer.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.