Vikings Rumors: The SNF Trade Hint, Cold Water on a Popular Theory, and The Dream Fit on Defense

NFL: New York Giants at Buffalo Bills
Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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 gathering a final piece of evidence before the deadline, a popular trade theory getting cold water poured on it, and the dream trade fit on defense.

Vikings Rumors: 10.30.2024

Rumor #1 — The SNF Game May Tell Us How Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Proceeds at the NFL Trade Deadline

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is always desirous of more information. The more abundant the information, the better informed he’ll be when he needs to make a decision.

As the NFL trade deadline approaches, Adofo-Mensah will be monitoring the performance of his team in an effort to better understand whether to buy, do nothing, or sell.

Defeating Anthony Richardson’s Colts would mean sitting at 6-2. Even better, the schedule doesn’t look overly formidable thereafter. Next up are the Jaguars, Titans, Bears, and Cardinals. Even going 3-1 in that stretch would mean sitting on a 9-3 record as they prep for the Week 14 date with Kirk Cousins’ Falcons.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reacts during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Adofo-Mensah is currently in the process of weighing his options.

He’ll be factoring in the draft capital that he has available alongside the cap ramifications of whatever move he makes. So, too, will Adofo-Mensah consider his team’s record. Reinforcing a team with a strong record, a team that has proved itself capable of overcoming adversity, is a lot more appealing than sinking resources into what could be a team that’s falling apart.

Minnesota has roughly $9.5 million in cap space.

Rumor #2 — Popular Trade Theory Gets the Cold Water Treatment

Not too long ago, Mike Florio did a bit of purple dot connecting over on Pro Football Talk. Florio, no stranger to strong opinions, argued that Matthew Stafford could be moved at the deadline. Furthermore, he suggested that Minnesota made sense as a destination.

“If, for example, the Jets provided a blueprint for making Sam Darnold look mortal,” Florio wrote, “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.)”

Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ben Goessling, one of the most plugged-in Vikings writers out there, poured some cold water on the theory: “Checking in on the Matthew Stafford-to-the-Vikings rumors I’ve been getting lots of questions about. Source said there’s zero truth to the idea the Vikings are trying to trade for him.”

In online football chatter, both Florio and Goessling are needed. Having someone venture into a plausible fiction (to borrow a phrase from an old professor) has merit, connecting the dots in a speculative discussion that adds a little seasoning to the season. Having someone who specializes in a specific team to test the theory and clarify the plausibility in similarly valuable.

To my mind, fine work from both Florio and Goessling.

Rumor #3 — Minnesota’s Dream Add on Defense May Now be Available

Truth be told, the New York Jets are hard to read.

The disaster of a team is sitting at 2-6 even after bringing Davante Adams aboard. Most recently, New York lost to the largely hapless New England Patriots. They’ve already fired their head coach and demoted their original offensive coordinator, so maybe there would be a willingness to sell off a player or two.

To that end, consider the word from The Vikings Gazette. Last Thursday, there was an argument in favor of pursuing corner D.J. Reed in a trade.

NFL: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

One thought: “Per PFF, Reed has been targeted 24 times while allowing just 11 completions (45.8%). The receptions have gone for just 112 yards, meaning the average catch goes for 10.2 yards. Even better, he hasn’t allowed a touchdown. Quarterbacks have a horrendous 59.7 passer rating when going after him.” Keep in mind that those numbers were relayed prior to the most recent game, so they’ll be different now.

Another thought: “D.J. Reed is going to be a free agent in 2025; New York could lose him for nothing (or a compensatory selection). Does it make sense for them to get ahead of the issue by shopping him at the deadline? Would the player himself welcome the chance to play for a brilliant defensive coordinator and for a team that actually has a chance?”

Playing winning defense often comes down to being able to matchup well. Currently, the corners are struggling to matchup with high-end weaponry. Would Reed help?

Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this piece.


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.