The Minnesota Vikings are not in a state of panic after losing their first game of the season by just two points to the Detroit Lions, widely considered the top team in the NFC. However, they should start thinking about their future at the quarterback position.
Sam Darnold had an impressive start to the season, being an MVP candidate in the first four weeks. Yet, a poor performance against the New York Jets in London, followed by a lackluster game against the Lions, has diminished his earlier strong standing.
Despite this, Darnold remains a valuable asset on a one-year contract worth $10 million, and the Vikings are still serious contenders in the NFC with a third of the season completed. However, some analysts are suggesting that the Vikings consider upgrading their quarterback position now to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl in 2024.
Timo Riske from Pro Football Focus recently advocated for the Vikings to trade for Matthew Stafford, especially with the Rams trailing the Raiders during Week 7. The Rams eventually defeated the Raiders, improving their record to 2-4, with star receiver Cooper Kupp likely returning for their upcoming game against the Vikings.
The short week and renewed optimism in Los Angeles may make the Rams less likely to trade Stafford before the November 5 deadline. Their upcoming game complicates the situation further. If the Rams win, they’ll be close to .500 and back in the NFC West race, which would likely mean Stafford stays.
On the other hand, if the Vikings win, Darnold would outperform Stafford, and Minnesota would be 6-1. This result wouldn’t necessarily rule out a trade, especially with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, their No. 10 overall pick, set to return from injury for the 2025 season.
All these factors might deter the Vikings from pursuing a quarterback trade this season, particularly if they plan to re-sign Darnold to a lucrative contract next offseason or hand the reins to McCarthy, who has yet to play a regular-season snap in the NFL.
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk suggested just over a week ago that the Vikings should consider acquiring Stafford. He noted that if the Jets had shown a way to make Darnold struggle, it might be wise for the Vikings to look for an upgrade if they lose to the Lions and then to Stafford’s Rams. Florio also pointed out the connection between Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Stafford, as they both worked together in Los Angeles, where they won a Super Bowl.
Stafford is under a four-year contract worth $160 million through 2026, while Darnold could command $35-$40 million annually on a long-term deal next offseason if he continues to perform well. This means that Stafford could actually be a more economical long-term investment for the Vikings.
As the trade deadline approaches in about two weeks, the Vikings have several important decisions to consider.
