Proposed Vikings Trade Ships for the Justin Jefferson to AFC for New QB…

Amidst mounting speculation regarding a potential split between the Minnesota Vikings and their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, there’s talk of a significant trade to secure a new QB.

According to Matthew Coller of Purple Insider, there’s a growing belief around the league that the Vikings might part ways with Cousins. This has led to discussions about acquiring a new signal-caller.

Colin Cowherd, a prominent figure on Fox Sports 1, has proposed an intriguing idea to position the Vikings favorably in the upcoming draft for a top-tier quarterback.

However, Cowherd’s proposal comes with a hefty price tag.

On “The Herd,” aired on February 5, Cowherd suggested a trade with the New England Patriots, offering to swap picks and include Justin Jefferson, the Vikings’ standout wide receiver, to move up from the 11th overall pick to the 3rd.

Here’s how Cowherd’s hypothetical trade would unfold:

Vikings Receive:

• 2024 first-round pick (No. 3 overall)

Patriots Receive:

• Justin Jefferson
• 2024 first-round pick (No. 11 overall)
• 2025 first-round pick

Cowherd justified the proposal by emphasizing the necessity of giving up assets to secure a higher draft position.

While this trade wouldn’t guarantee the Vikings a shot at USC’s Caleb Williams, it would enable them to target other promising quarterbacks like North Carolina’s Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, as per Cowherd’s suggestion.

However, moving on from a talent like Justin Jefferson, who has consistently delivered outstanding performances since his rookie year, could hinder the development of a rookie quarterback.

Nonetheless, Cowherd believes the Vikings possess enough offensive weapons, citing Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, to compensate for Jefferson’s potential departure. He views Addison as a top-tier receiver, capable of filling Jefferson’s shoes or complementing him effectively.

Financially, trading Jefferson could make sense for the Vikings, given their available cap space. Still, the team’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has expressed a positive relationship with Jefferson’s representatives and aims to negotiate a contract extension that would alleviate his hefty cap hit.

Interestingly, Cowherd’s argument against trading up inadvertently highlights the potential downside of his proposal. He acknowledges the depth of quarterback talent available later in the draft, suggesting that the gap between top prospects isn’t significant enough to warrant sacrificing a player of Jefferson’s caliber.

Moreover, Cowherd dismisses concerns about Jefferson’s contract, reasoning that investing in a top receiver shouldn’t be a deterrent, especially considering the absence of a high-priced quarterback on the roster.

By opting to stay put in the draft, the Vikings could still have opportunities to select promising quarterbacks like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix, or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., whose draft projections have fluctuated throughout the evaluation process.

In summary, while Cowherd’s proposed trade presents an intriguing opportunity for the Vikings to secure a new quarterback, it comes with considerable risks and uncertainties, particularly regarding the departure of a key offensive weapon like Justin Jefferson. Ultimately, the decision will hinge on the Vikings’ assessment of their long-term quarterback needs and their willingness to part ways with valuable assets to address them.