Vikings Rumors: MIN’s Ideal Trade Partner, Bringing Stafford In, and The RG Deadline Add
Since we’re officially into the portion of the year when Vikings rumors are ramping up, we’ll be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.
The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that keeps readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss Minnesota’s ideal trade partner, the potential to bring quarterback Matthew Stafford to town, and a rock-solid fit at right guard.
Vikings Rumors: 10.16.2024
Rumor #1 — The Vikings Have an Ideal Trade Partner
Over the weekend, Vikings Territory jumped into the idea. Dustin Baker asked VT’s writers to submit ideas for trade targets and the team to monitor from yours truly is the Cleveland Browns.
Prior to calling Minnesota home, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was an executive in Cleveland’s front office. Having a relationship with Cleveland’s leadership is a nice starting point, especially since former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski is the Browns’ HC, forming yet another obvious connection between the two teams.
Plus, Cleveland is a disastrous 1-5. The Browns are back to being the Browns, largely due to an inept offense that’s 30th in the NFL by scoring just 15.8 points per game.
The thinking, then, is that Adofo-Mensah could pick up the phone in an effort to snag some help at a position like running back. After all, Nick Chubb is soon to return from an injury, so maybe there would be a willingness to move a backup runner. Keep an eye on Cleveland.
Rumor #2 — Minnesota Would Consider a Swap Involving Matthew Stafford
Well, anything is possible, but there’s a lot that would need to go wrong before a trade occurs.
Consider the word from Pro Football Talk, the site that espouses the theory. Mike Florio delves into why the Rams could look to move their starter at QB: “The Rams quarterback quite possibly is in his last season with the team, regardless of whether the Rams can reverse a 1-4 start. If the Rams might parlay the remainder of his 2024 contract into draft pick(s) and he could get a fresh start elsewhere, it makes sense to at least consider it.”
Florio continues: “If, for example, the Jets provided a blueprint for making Sam Darnold look mortal, the Vikings would be wise (if they lose to the Lions and then to Stafford’s Rams) to at least entertain the possibility of an upgrade. (Coincidentally, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Stafford worked together for a year in L.A. And they both won a Super Bowl ring for their efforts.)”
No doubt, Sam Darnold played a poor game of football in Week 5. Does that really mean Minnesota would consider bringing in Stafford as a replacement?
In all likelihood, the answer is an obvious “no.” Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have invested quite a bit in Darnold and he’s playing well, all things considered. Darnold has led Minnesota to a 5-0 record behind his 63.5% passing, 1,111 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
The lone caveat is simply that Minnesota could — could — consider something if there were an injury. After all, the team saw all of Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall need time in the infirmary last year and have already lost J.J. McCarthy for the season. The simple thought of a QB getting hurt won’t be difficult to comprehend in Minnesota.
Give the final word to Florio, who acknowledges the injury possibility: “It’s more likely that the destination will be driven by injury. We’ve got four more weekends of football before the window closes. One season-ending injury is all it takes for Stafford to have a new home. And for the Rams to get a nice return.”
Rumor #3 — A Specific Right Guard Makes Sense as a Trade Target
Consider Brandon Scherff, the No. 5 pick from the 2015 NFL Draft.
The man has been to the Pro Bowl five times and has been an All Pro. Even better, he’s still playing the game at a high level, not allowing a single-sack for the sinking ship over in Jacksonville. Even better is the simple fact that he overlapped with Kevin O’Connell from their Washington days.
Keep in mind, as well, that Minnesota did business with Jacksonville at last year’s trade deadline. In that instance, Minnesota moved out a guard, sending Ezra Cleveland south for a 6th. Could there be a similar price the veteran Scherff?
Per Over the Cap, a trade for the veteran right guard would be very affordable for the Vikings.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.