A Vikings QB Trade Could Come Faster than Expected
Are you excited to see what plan of action the Minnesota Vikings concoct at quarterback? If so, the verdict could arrive sooner rather than later if head coach + de facto personnel general manager Kevin O’Connell uses a trade for his next quarterback. Splashy trades have occurred in the NFL, well, right about now on the calendar.
The calendar has produced real QB deals in this stretch before, and Minnesota’s situation makes an early move feel realistic.
If O’Connell, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores pull the trigger on a quarterback trade, news of the deal doesn’t have to wait until March.
The NFL Calendar Has Precedent for QB Trades … Right Now
Yes, trades are basically fair game in January and February.
The January and February Trade Examples
On January 30th, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs ended the Alex Smith era via trade to the Washington Commanders, leaning full tilt into Patrick Mahomes, a decision that would net three Super Bowl trophies and counting. Smith attempted to latch on to the Commanders, but that didn’t really pan out.
On January 30th, 2021, the Los Angeles Rams conducted an NFL landscape-changing deal by shipping Jared Goff and draft picks to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford. The swap changed each team and the league forever, culminating in a Rams’ Super Bowl triumph one year later. Goff became a Top 12 quarterback in Detroit, whisking that then-sad franchise back to relevance.
On February 18, 2021, the Indianapolis Colts attempted to put their foot down, hoping to solve the quarterback spot once and for all by acquiring Carson Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles for draft picks.
All these deals happened [checks notes] right now on the calendar. There’s no rule stating teams must wait on the trade framework until March. O’Connell can wheel and deal right now if he chooses.
For the Vikings, Why Wait?
Unless Minnesota has sights set on a free agent, like Malik Willis, there’s no reason to wait to work the trade phones. Of course, nobody is absolutely sure if the Vikings prefer to swing for the fences at quarterback or if a veteran backup like Jimmy Garoppolo or Case Keenum would do the trick.
If O’Connell wants the former option — obtaining a big name to compete with McCarthy or flatly takes his job — he may want to act now. Between the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Vikings, a new quarterback might be on the menu for all three teams, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires.
In that vein, for whichever passer Minnesota has in mind, it’s better to agree to trade terms now — like Smith, Stafford, Goff, and Wentz — than to wait until free agency or the draft. The early bird gets the worm.
Code for Kyler Murray?
So, what exactly are we talking about here? It could be an obvious code for Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals have reportedly reached the end of the road with the 28-year-old, hiring a new head coach last week and likely wanting a fresh start after Murray took Arizona to the postseason just once in seven years. Think of it this way: if the Vikings had the same QB1 since 2019 and the club reached the playoffs one time, wouldn’t you want them to try something different?
That’s where the Cardinals are entering the 2026 offseason.
Because Murray’s stock is low and his contract is fat, the team that trades for him can probably ship a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder to the desert and call it good. Why not the Vikings? Why not in February?
Bleacher Report‘s Doric Sam noted on a Murray trade last week, “The relationship between Arizona and franchise quarterback Kyler Murray became strained during Jonathan Gannon’s tenure. Murray was limited to just five games this past season due to a foot injury, and there has been rampant speculation that he could be parting ways with the Cardinals this offseason.”
“ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported last month that ‘multiple sources’ said that Murray’s ‘trade value increased’ following Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s announcement that he was returning to the Ducks. The Cardinals could wipe the slate clean for LaFleur by shipping away the 2019 No. 1 pick if they get an offer they can’t refuse.”
Non-Murray Candidates
If Murray is not Minnesota’s trade target, there are two lists. Here’s the realistic one of quarterback options:
- Drew Lock
- Davis Mills
- Jalen Milroe
- Mac Jones
- Will Levis
- Spencer Rattler
- Anthony Richardson
- Zach Wilson
And the dream-big list, courtesy of starry-eyed Vikings fans:
- Baker Mayfield
- Joe Burrow
- Justin Herbert
- Lamar Jackson
It’s worth noting that Murray lives right in the middle of these lists — probably why he’s inside Minnesota’s rumor mill at a fever pitch.
Overall, remember that a would-be Vikings quarterback trade could hit your phone notifications at any minute.
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