It certainly is no longer a secret the Vikings are interested in moving up for a quarterback. Linked to such a climb before their pivotal trade with the Texans, that deal made other QB-needy teams well aware the Vikes are serious about replacing Kirk Cousins with a potential first in franchise history.
From Fran Tarkenton to Tommy Kramer to Daunte Culpepper to Christian Ponder, the Vikings have never used a top-10 pick on a quarterback (though, Culpepper and Ponder were each top-12 choices). This year may well bring that elusive investment. Vikings ownership may have a hand in this as well.
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Although GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is running point on this operation, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes ownership has “made it clear” a long-term quarterback solution — after the first two years of the Adofo-Mensah era featured short-term Cousins-based fixes — will be sought. The Vikings hold the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks. While a passer like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix could potentially be available at 23, the Vikings are probably setting their sights higher.
The Vikings sent their 2024 and 2025 second-rounders — the latter of which the Texans just dealt to the Bills for Stefon Diggs — and a 2024 sixth to move up to No. 23. The expectation around the league is for Minnesota to trade up for a quarterback. Many around the NFL have mentioned J.J. McCarthy as Minnesota’s most likely target. With the Michigan alum in play to go No. 2 overall to the Commanders — after an impressive pro day — the Vikings may need to set their sights on another passer. Considering the prospect statuses of Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels compared to McCarthy entering 2024, it would be strange if the Vikes had a chance at one of them while the once-lower-regarded QB was unavailable.
Daniels has since come up as a Vikings target, with the Raiders’ interest in reuniting the 2023 Heisman winner with one of his ex-college coaches (Antonio Pierce) not a secret. It could require the Vikings to part with two first-round picks and change to move from No. 11 into the top four. But the Patriots, Cardinals and Chargers — particularly the latter two clubs — have been connected to a willingness to trade down. It cost the 49ers two future firsts to climb from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance. New England, Arizona and Los Angeles will likely seek a similar haul. The Vikings having a second first-round pick this year might change the equation slightly, but it will still be quite costly to climb up that far.
Sam Darnold is in place as a stopgap option, and while the former top-three pick has an interesting opportunity ahead due to the skill-position cadre the Vikings possess, owner Zygi Wilf desiring a long-term QB be desired this year would solidify Darnold’s role as a placeholder. Additionally, La Canfora suggests Adofo-Mensah may be feeling some heat going into his third season.
Minnesota’s GM being on the hot seat already would be quite the development, considering the team’s 13-4 season in 2022. While that season did bring the worst point differential in NFL history for a 13-win team, the Vikings were not expected to finish in that realm that year. Minnesota took a step back last season, with Cousins’ injury derailing a nice midseason stretch. But the team did not implode without its starting passer. Adofo-Mensah ultimately opting to move on from a QB Kevin O’Connell endorsed many times over, bringing a $28.5MM dead money bill due to a 2023 void years decision, could confirm rumblings of friction between the team’s top two decision-makers.
For now, the two power brokers are working together to land a Cousins replacement. Armed with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson (along with young left tackle Christian Darrisaw), Minnesota represents a solid destination for a young passer. It will be interesting to see which one the Vikes end up with, as it seems highly improbable they will leave the first round without their hopeful long-term option.
The classic problem. Trade up for a highly ranked QB and not have picks to grow with him. Latest example would be Carolina.
Little different, Vikings have Jefferson, Addison, Jones as weapons for a QB and an awesome Left Tackle
Carolina doesn’t have the infrastructure Minnesota has.
Competent owners that take care of players (see NFLPA survey), tons of weapons at skill positions, Offensive minded Coach that helped shape the best version of Kirk Cousins & 2024 off-season loading up a D w/ scheme-fit defensive free agent players.
Young was always going to be unimpressive though, not that there aren’t many WB prospects this year in the same category. Largely 1st round AB’s always fail to live up to expectations and it’s why I think Minnesota is better off using these picks to address other needs.
I love not proofreading..
You mean ownership didn’t go into the offseason clamoring for Sam Darnold?
The front office set things up so that parting ways with Cousins could be reasonable this offseason, and even with a Jefferson mega contract, they’ll have a huge amount of cap space next offseason. Plus Flores did impressive work with a defense largely bereft of talent last year, as did If they can hit on a QB in the draft, he should be in a nice landing spot with KOC and that offense, and they can be super aggressive in building around him in 2025 like the Texans are doing.
In light of Cousin’s Atlanta deal, if he didn’t get injured, would he still be a Viking today?
Interesting question. I have to imagine it would have been affected by how the rest of the season went, so it’s hard to say.
No
Kirko Moneybags 1st tell was when they didn’t resign him before 2023 & he said, “we’ll pickup the conversation in March.”
There was the POSSIBILITY he would resign, but he clearly wanted to test the market.
MN’s Analytics GM was unlikely to run it back if Kirk wanted another massive multi-year deal like he signed with ATL.
Why not McCarthy to the Bears with the number 1 pick?
Because Williams is a much better prospect. McCarthy could turn out great, but he’s shown much less, is much more of an unknown, and should probably sit to start his career.
Because Ryan Poles wants to keep his job.
NFL history is littered with examples of what happens when ownership becomes involved with personnel, and the results aren’t pretty.
So true. And many of the recent top QB picks haven’t exactly lit it up, either. They may get lucky and find their Brady or Purdy if their due diligence is done.
I think a more appropriate statement would be that we only hear about it when it goes wrong. Your statement is just the communist, anti-successful people, rhetoric put out by activists masquerading as news. Guess what, most billionaires and team owners are far more competent than you, and anyone they hire.
If that’s what you believe, that’s fine. I don’t buy into that theory for a lot of reasons I won’t get into here.
Speaking strictly in terms of football, success in one area doesn’t automatically guarantee success in another. That would be like assuming Patrick Mahomes could suddenly become a pro bowl CB because he’s a successful QB. However those owners made their fortunes, that doesn’t give them football knowledge. I’m sure some dedicate the time to learn, but they’re being taught by the people they employ. This they are not more competent than the people they hire in most cases.
@ Outlaw / Your comment should probably be amended to say “recent history”. George Halas, Paul Brown and Al Davis built championship caliber teams. It helped that they had a bit of football knowledge unlike modern owners who often have no background in sports at all.
That’s fair, Lemon.
I’m convinced that all these teams valuing JJ so high are going to end up burnt and teams are going to regret overlooking Maye. Let’s not forget that the QB coach for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady can’t stop singing the praises of Maye.
I mean, a lot of those same people pumped up Daniel Jones, but I agree with you. I think Maye is the second best prospect in this class. He may not have the second highest floor, but I think he offers the second best chance of a top ten NFL quarterback, which should be the goal.
JJM is a disaster waiting to happen. Mac Jones 2.0
I may be wrong but I feel McCarthy is the only one that might pan out for Minnesota and even he isn’t worth a top 10 pick…
They really should use this draft to address other issues because in all likelihood you’re going to get the same play from a QB draft this year as what you’d get from Hall.
The Vikings have drafted 7 QBs with pick 267 or later. It’s quite a mystery as to why none of those guys became a long term solution at QB.