Purple Headlines of the Week: More Pre-Draft QB Work for Vikings, The Rising Cost of Trading Up, Jefferson’s Jealousy
In just 11 days, the 2024 NFL Draft will get underway.
As the draft continues to inch closer, there is plenty of Vikings news to unpack. Here is a look at all of the purple headlines of the past week out of Minnesota.
Vikings Schedule Another Private Workout with QB
Minnesota’s need for a QB has been at the forefront of the minds of Vikings fans virtually ever since Kirk Cousins left the team to sign a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. As a result of Cousins’ departure, the Vikings will have a new Week 1 starting QB for the first time since 2018.
On Thursday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Vikings have a private workout scheduled with Jayden Daniels, tweeting, “More on Jayden Daniels, as the intrigue picks up: The #Vikings have now scheduled a private meeting with the LSU star and Heisman Trophy winner, per @Agentbutler1.”
Daniels appears to be one of the more talented QB prospects in this class, and if he can avoid any injuries, he could turn into a star at the NFL level. As a result, the Vikings are finally getting their workout with the LSU product.
The Cost of Trading Up May Be Rising for Vikings
The workouts with every top QB prospect other than Caleb Williams certainly indicates that the Vikings are interested in trading up for a quarterback this spring. Unfortunately, the price for that trade may be on the rise.
One team that could cause some troubles for the Vikings in that department is the Arizona Cardinals, who sit at No. 4 overall. Outkick’s Armando Salguero suggested the following about a potential trade up with Arizona: “ [Cardinals GM Monti] Ossenfort has in conversations made it known it’s in the best interest of the Cardinals to pick up three first-round picks in exchange for the No. 4 overall selection, if he has to drop a significant amount in the first round.”
With Arizona committing to Kyler Murray, they are a team that has made some sense in terms of a trade partner seeing as they don’t need a quarterback. However, they very well could have the ability to select WR Marvin Harrison at No. 4, so they likely will need to be convinced with a hearty package of picks in order to move off that spot.
Justin Jefferson Admits Jealousy of Another NFL Team
Ever since he entered the NFL, Justin Jefferson has been one of the premier wide receivers in the league. Prior to his NFL career, he was part of a fantastic 2019 LSU team that won the national championship, led by Jefferson along with QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase.
Fast forward to current day, and Burrow and Chase have reunited in Cincinnati while Jefferson is playing his football with the Vikings. The Vikings WR joined Kevin Hart’s Cold as Balls podcast over the past week and talked about his former collegiate teammates. “I love them together,” Jefferson said. “I love the chemistry that they have with each other, but it’s definitely some jealousy on that side.”
There have been some rumblings that Jefferson could have his eye on Cincinnati as a potential landing spot in the coming years, particularly with his rookie contract coming to an end following the 2024 season, and these comments likely only add fuel to that fire.
In Case You Missed It…
As usual, we have an extra list of reading material for the especially studious Vikings fans. Happy reading!
- The Vikings FA Addition Who Inspired “Shock” in Justin Jefferson
- Vikings Defender Set to Do Double Duty
- Vikings O-Lineman Switching Positions?
- The Vikings Can Double Their Cap Space with 3 Moves
- Non-QB Vikings Draft Fits
The Two Vikings Trade Partners Who Make the Most Sense in the 2024 NFL Draft
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.