The NFL Draft kicked off in thrilling fashion on Thursday night, and the Minnesota Vikings were a big player in the action. They mostly stayed patient with their first pick, while chaos ensued around them, finally making their move up just one spot (No. 10) where they took Michigan quarterback, JJ McCarthy.
Then, instead of trading back and collecting 2nd day draft capital (of which they currently have none), general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded up again, this time from No. 23 to No. 17. The target: Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner, a guy many believe was the best defensive player in this draft.
Minnesota Vikings reportedly approached Chargers about Justin Herbert trade
But in a perfect world, the Vikings night might have gone differently. According to multiple reports, they made a strong effort to trade up to No. 3 so they could draft Drake Maye. Not only that, though.
About 45 minutes after the 2024 NFL Draft got rolling, Adam Schefter (ESPN) reported that the Vikings reached out to the Los Angeles Chargers, not just to talk about a trade up to No. 5, but also regarding the availability of their quarterback Justin Herbert. They reportedly got “a flat no” from the LA GM, who ended up sticking and picking at No. 5, too.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah laughs off Justin Herbert trade rumors
After the Vikings snagged Turner, GM Kwesi Adofo Mensah stepped up to the mic for his post draft press conference, to meet with media and talk about what just unfolded.
After hitting on both players and a few other things that unfolded during the heat of action, Kwesi was asked about Schefter’s report that they had contacted the Chargers about Herbert’s availability. His reaction was one of confoundment.
After collecting himself, Kwesi admitted he has no idea where some of this stuff comes from, but that it isn’t from anyone inside the Vikings organization. He doesn’t seem to mind the rumors that are floated and even believes those rumors help them out, at times. Technically, he never said no…
“I wish I could tell you how much joy we get from seeing the stuff that gets written. … Those aren’t things that come out of this building,” Adofo-Mensah said Thursday. “I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t know where this stuff comes from. Sometimes it works out in our favor. I can’t even respond.”
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah when asked if he contacted the Chargers about Justin Herbert
It’s fun to get a peak behind the curtain. But, with the Vikings having snagged JJ McCarthy as their quarterback, conjecture surrounding the QB position is a thing of the past… at least for now.
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