Vikings Expected To Explore QB Trade

We have heard in the days leading up to the deadline the Vikings had looked around on the QB trade market. It appears a more concerted effort there is expected to take place today, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz. The Vikings have until 3pm CT today to add a passer via trade, and multiple ex-O’Connell charges — as Adam La Rose’s most recent PFR mailbag discussed — have been mentioned in trades.

Kirk Cousins spent 5 1/2 seasons quarterbacking the Vikings and did not want to leave in 2024, when the Falcons came through with a seminal overpay. Months later, the Vikings took a flier on Daniel Jones after his Giants exit. Jones spent several weeks on the team’s practice squad, and Minnesota attempted to re-sign him — at a rate higher than the $14MM he received from Indianapolis as a 2025 UFA. Both Cousins and Jones could be available today, though it would seem the Raiders and Colts would prefer not to move on.

“We’ve had dialogue about a lot of different positions,” O’Connell said, via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert. “Tight turnaround, obviously, playing the Monday night game, and we’ll get right to work on any potential moves that can be there.”

Kyler Murray is battling a grade 2 hamstring injury and may not be ready for the Vikings’ matchup with the Packers in Week 10. Barring a trade, that would leave Wentz or second-year UDFA Max Brosmer, who replaced Wentz late Monday night.

The Colts informed Jones they are not trading him, potentially closing one door. Though, we have seen comparable about-faces from teams in the past based on offers. And teams have contacted the Colts on Jones; it is safe to presume the Vikings have been one of them. Indianapolis also may need to consider benching Jones for contract purposes, a la Derek Carr, Russell Wilson or … Jones (in 2024); a $10.51MM injury guarantee is in place for 2027. The Raiders are not believed to have received trade calls on Cousins, but this may be the most natural fit of any potential deadline trade.

Minnesota, of course, traded J.J. McCarthy to New York for a fifth-round pick in September. Wentz’s play Monday night called that decision into question, as O’Connell went with the veteran as Murray’s backup after deeming McCarthy the loser to Murray in the QB1 battle weeks earlier. McCarthy has helped the Giants to two wins as their starter, while the Vikings — a year after letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency and watching him win Super Bowl LX — face another QB crisis.

Midseason trades for starting QBs are not an annual occurrence. Some recent moves have come after injuries (Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore last week, Joe Flacco to Cincinnati last year, Josh Dobbs to Minnesota in 2023). A contract logjam moved Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers in 2017, and a quasi-retirement from Carson Palmer — and an injury to then-Raiders starter Jason Campbell — led to a big Oakland offer (first- and second-round picks) that ended Cincy’s Palmer stalemate.

A cutting-edge defense would be what would induce the Vikings to strive for an upgrade. The team has just less than eight hours to do so.