The Vikings’ Quarterback Trade Brought a Super Fast Corner to Town
The Vikings’ quarterback swap before the 2025 NFL season involved sending Sam Howell over to the Eagles. Doing so meant losing a 6th alongside the passer. Coming back to the Twin Cities was a 5th for 2026 and a 7th for 2027.
Some of the details are now known.
With the No. 163 selection, the Minnesota Vikings snagged Chuck Demmings. The long-and-strong corner specializes in press-man coverage along the outside, making him an intriguing fit for a roster that wants to be aggressive and physical. In fairness, there does need to be some pause given that Mr. Demmings is coming out of a small college, but note that the fruits of the Howell trade are now being revealed.
The Vikings’ Quarterback Trade
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QB Sam Howell for CB Chuck Demmings
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn’t lacked for criticism. Many people have expressed many quibbles. To be sure, Mr. Adofo-Mensah was far from perfect, but I’m of the opinion that he has taken on far too much blame for Minnesota’s 2025 foibles.
Where he did err was in his assumptions at quarterback. Moving into the year with the belief that J.J. McCarthy alone could get the job done without a true challenger for his job was foolish. Last year’s quarterback competition wasn’t a competition; rather, it was a long, sometimes clunky coronation. Turning down all of Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers was poor.
Worse yet, Carson Wentz got added far too late.
But then there was the decision to move out Sam Howell. Recognizing that he wasn’t going to work out before then sending him to Philadelphia was a savvy decision, a good way to respond to a discouraging development.
The key part of the swap was Philly’s 5th for the 2026 NFL Draft. With that selection, the Vikings took Chuck Demmings, the 6’1″ corner with a background in a variety of different coverages. Where he feels most confident and comfortable is along the outside when he’s allowed to press the other team’s top WR. Being able to replicate that ability as a pro (no sure thing, but the hope) would mean that the Vikings did tremendously well in the Howell trade, easily winning the swap.
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Moving into 2026, the Vikings will be rallying around Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre as the top corners. Murphy is the most versatile, Rodgers the one with blazing speed, and Pierre the larger coverage guy for bully receivers. In other words, the collective trio offers matchup abilities.
In all likelihood, Demmings won’t be able to leapfrog any of these options. Murphy is the most secure in his job, the one who isn’t going to go anywhere. What makes Demmings unique is the manner in which he blends Rodgers’ elite speed with Pierre’s imposing size. Fantastic attributes, not squaring off with top-tier competition, is what allowed Demmings to turn pro.
The Vikings began rookie minicamp yesterday. There was then the announcement of getting eight of the nine draft picks under contract, a collection of moves that did include Mr. Demmings.
He’s looking like the CB4 as a rookie, a spot he’ll look to maintain against returning talent such as Dwight McGlothern and Zemaiah Vaughn. Quickly excelling in the NFL means being able to steal snaps as a CB3 or CB2, though that does appear too lofty of an ask.
Meanwhile, Sam Howell is onto his next team, agreeing to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys for 2026. He’s battling to stick around as Dak Prescott’s main backup.
