Vikings linked again to surprising quarterback trade idea
Beyond his careful handling of injuries and knowing when to take decisions out of players’ hands, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has earned a reputation as something of a quarterback whisperer.
Kirk Cousins flourished under O’Connell before suffering a torn Achilles in 2023. Sam Darnold rejuvenated his career in 2024, and Daniel Jones found the reset he needed late last season, even while serving on the practice squad and observing on game days.
For now, and despite lingering outside skepticism, the Vikings remain committed to rookie J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. Still, O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah understand the importance of cultivating depth at football’s most vital position — and they’ve never shied away from exploring unconventional options.
Last season’s addition of Jones proved the Vikings aren’t afraid to go against the grain when it comes to adding quarterbacks.
A fresh trade idea links Minnesota to another struggling QB
Barring an injury to McCarthy against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Minnesota is not expected to make a quarterback trade before next Tuesday’s deadline. That hasn’t stopped speculation, however, especially among those still doubting McCarthy’s readiness.
In a recent “trades we’d love to see” feature, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr floated a proposal that would send New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields to Minnesota for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.
Orr suggested Fields would give the Vikings a high-upside backup should McCarthy’s ankle injury linger, while helping restock the position after Darnold and Jones departed for starting roles elsewhere. He also alluded to O’Connell passing on Aaron Rodgers in the offseason — a stretch, given Rodgers himself admitted those talks never went far.
While sending a late-round pick for Fields isn’t an absurd idea on its own, Orr’s narrative linking it to the exits of Darnold, Jones, and even Rodgers misses key context.
Darnold sought a longer contract than Minnesota was willing to offer after his poor finish to last season, ultimately finding that deal in Seattle. Jones, meanwhile, pursued a clearer path to a starting job and found it in Indianapolis.
The notion that the Vikings “missed out” on either quarterback doesn’t align with reality.
Ultimately, any hypothetical trade for Fields stands apart from the team’s prior offseason decisions. Still, as the trade deadline approaches, old narratives about Minnesota’s quarterback room continue to resurface — even when they don’t quite fit.