There’s a Weird Vikings Trade Idea
The Minnesota Vikings are 1-0, and much has been talked about J.J. McCarthy’s late-game heroics after his struggling start. However, it’s important to note that the defense had kept the team in a game that shouldn’t have been in reach entering the fourth quarter.
There’s a Weird Vikings Trade Idea
Yet, Brian Flores and his squad saved the day, led by a ferocious defensive front. Of course, that includes pass-rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, as well as interior defenders Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Linebacker Blake Cashman left the game with a hamstring injury, but Ivan Pace Jr. and backup Eric Wilson picked up where he left off.
In fact, if you asked 100 tuned-in Vikings fans about the concerns on defense, at least 99 would point to the secondary. Yet, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks another star rusher could join the crew.
He listed the Vikings as one of two potential suitors (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) for the services of Miami’s Jaelan Phillips.
Tampa Bay didn’t have anyone with more than 7.5 sacks, and their top sack-getters were all interior defenders. They could, indeed, use some more talent on the outside. The Vikings, meanwhile, have a pair of Pro Bowlers patrolling the edges, with Dallas Turner waiting in the wings.
About his Phillips trade theory, Knox wrote, “Playoff hopefuls are often in the market for edge-rushers, and the Miami Dolphins might have one to spare between now and the trade deadline. They have stockpiled an intriguing collection of pass-rushers that includes Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon, Chop Robinson and Jaelan Phillips. If the Dolphins’ woeful opener is an accurate indication, though, this rotation could go to waste in Miami.”
During his college career, Phillips medically retired due to various injuries. He then returned after a transfer and went on to be a first-round pick for the Dolphins in 2021. Flores was still Miami’s head coach back then, which certainly is a connection that would link him to the Vikings.
In 2021 and 2022, it looked like Phillips had overcome his alarming injury history, but he got bitten by the injury bug in 2023. A torn Achilles cost him half the 2023 campaign, which helped backup Andrew Van Ginkel get more playing time, and last year, he suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the year, limiting him to a total of 12 games over the last two years.
Knox added, “Moving Phillips would be logical if the Dolphins don’t turn things around quickly. Though season-ending injuries have impacted each of the last two seasons, the 26-year-old had 22 sacks over the first three years of his career. Finally healthy again, he could likely net Miami a high Day 3 pick at a minimum. That price point should be acceptable for the Dolphins if they do fall out of contention. Phillips will be a free agent in the spring, and a full-on rebuild could involve chasing a replacement for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2026 draft.”
The Vikings wouldn’t pay Phillips after the season due to the salary cap restrictions. It doesn’t make much sense to pay a mid-round pick for a player who’s not playing a position of need and is a half-year rental. One could imagine such a deal being made for a corner or to replace an injured player down the stretch, but Phillips would be better suited on a roster with a lack of edge-rushing talent, such as Tampa Bay or Detroit.
In 47 career games, Phillips has recorded 23 sacks and 154 tackles. He’s a talented player, but his injuries just keep piling up, and the Vikings aren’t in the market for another starting-caliber pass-rusher; they already have three of those.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.