The Minnesota Vikings are 1-4 after a brutal seven-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. On the surface, Minnesota hasn't suffered a "bad" loss yet — three points to the Bucs, six points to the Eagles, four points to the Chargers — but it all counts the same in the record book.
Tied with the lowly Chicago Bears for last place in the NFC North, it's hard to imagine a worse start to the season for Minnesota. Justin Jefferson was placed on the IR with a hamstring injury and Kirk Cousins has fallen considerably short of expectations in a contract year.
It's difficult to get a read on the Vikings' future, but it's becoming clear that Cousins' days at QB are numbered. He has been the focal point of the last half-decade of Vikings football. If Minnesota doesn't want to pay him and commit, it stands to reason that a rebuild is imminent.
Frankly, there isn't a better time to pivot away from an aging quarterback. The 2024 NFL Draft looms on the horizon and the Vikings are in prime position to tank for the No. 1 pick and a chance to select USC's Caleb Williams. Drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Williams is considered the NFL's next "it" man. Of course Minnesota would love to bring him up north.
If the goal is to get Williams, however, the Vikings can't risk keeping such a competent roster around. Again, Minnesota has been right in these games against quality opponents. The Vikings aren't truly bad yet, but a few trades could nudge them in that direction.
Vikings could trade Kirk Cousins to the Falcons
It's hard to get a solid read on Kirk Cousins' trade value. He's in the final year of his contract and, at 35 years old, he's no spring chicken. Still, he's a proven commodity and there will be interested suitors if the Vikings decide to test the market.
The Atlanta Falcons feel like they're a competent QB away from contention. The team has squeaked its way to a 3-2 record despite Desmond Ridder's struggles in the pocket. It's clear Ridder doesn't have it — at least, not yet — and the offense has suffered as a result.
Arthur Smith likes to run the ball. He's comfortable with the Falcons' conservative playbook and focus on small-chunk plays, but a little bit of boldness from the QB position wouldn't hurt. Ridder regularly misses open targets downfield and he's simply not an aggressive signal-caller. Sure, maybe it's better that way, but the Falcons can't afford to let Ridder toss dinky screen passes all season if the goal is to meaningfully progress toward contention.
Cousins is a potentially perfect stopgap. His numbers for the season aren't bad (67.2 percent completion rate for 1,498 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four INTs across five games) and he would give the Falcons a player who can more consistently involve the likes of Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and newcomer Van Jefferson. Cousins is not a long-term solution, but there's a chance Ridder would benefit from another year or two as understudy while learning the ropes from a better vet than Marcus Mariota.
With Cousins in tow, the Falcons suddenly look the part of NFC South favorites. The Vikings jump ship on a QB they have no desire to extend and lay out the red carpet for Caleb Williams.
Vikings could trade T.J. Hockenson to the Dolphins
The Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson last season for a second-round pick and a third-round pick. Hockenson was just recently made the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, a clear statement of confidence from the Minnesota front office. Five games into the season, however, it's getting harder to justify the investment.
If the Vikings tank, there's no reason to keep high-voltage offensive weapons like Hockenson stuck in purgatory. He could return the value he commanded last season and then some, setting Minnesota up with more draft capital while Hockenson gets to tear up the field for a contender.
What better home for Hockenson than the Miami Dolphins, a team dedicated to perfecting the offensive side of the ball. Tua Tagovailoa isn't the most innately gifted passer, but the Dolphins' timing is razor-sharp. He has developed a psychic connection with his top weapons, leading Miami to the highest yards-per-catch average in the NFL.
Hockenson averaged 15.2 yards per catch with the Lions before the trade last season. That number plummeted to 8.7 after the trade (and it's down to 8.5 this season). He is built for a more explosive role in the offense and he would benefit from the attention paid to speedsters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Defenses would have trouble accounting for all of Miami's weapons; Hockenson's physical 6-foot-5 frame is hard enough to stop under normal circumstances.
The Vikings (again) get picks and the chance to position themselves for high-value prospects.
Vikings could trade Danielle Hunter to the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are in position to get some star-hunting done before the trade deadline. With another Super Bowl in their sights, the offense needs work — especially the WR room — but defense could be the focus of GM Brett Veach.
Minnesota's top defender right now is Danielle Hunter, but the linebacker's contract is sparsely guaranteed beyond the 2023 season. With Minnesota on the verge of a rebuild, there's no reason to believe the team will shell out the big bucks to retain Hunter. He's a prime trade candidate. The Chiefs, meanwhile, would benefit from another Pro Bowl presence on pass-rushing duty.
Hunter has been prolific for an otherwise ineffective Vikings defense, accumulating 25 tackles, five QB hits, and six sacks across the first five weeks of the season. He leads the NFL with nine tackles for a loss. Pair Hunter with Chris Jones on the Chiefs' front line, and opposing offensive lines will start having nightmares.
Kansas City's offense gets more shine in the national media, but it takes a well-rounded group to win a championship. Jones and the Chiefs' defense were essential to knocking off Philadelphia in the Super Bowl and Hunter would firmly cement the Chiefs as 2024 favorites. It took the front office longer than expected to reach terms on a contract extension with Jones, but that wouldn't necessarily stop them from paying Hunter. Plus, there's every reason for Kansas City to go all-in on this season.
As long as Mahomes is in his prime, the Chiefs can get a little reckless.
Vikings could trade Justin Jefferson to Ravens
Justin Jefferson is arguably the best WR in football. The Vikings could cash in (and get considerably worse) by moving off the star wideout, who went on IR this week due to a hamstring injury. Jefferson hasn't received his desired contract extension from the Vikings, so there's a stormfront brewing here.
Enter the Baltimore Ravens, who badly need an upgrade at WR. Rookie Zay Flowers has done a commendable job in the WR1 role, but the goal is to build a contending offense around former MVP Lamar Jackson. Right now the Baltimore offense is held back by middling passing numbers, which Jackson pegged squarely on his receivers' inability to catch.
Jefferson would immediately unlock a new gear in the Ravens' passing attack. Jackson has arm strength few in the NFL can match. With Jefferson, he would have a target worthy of more daring big-play passes. Jefferson's arrival would also better position Flowers and star tight end Mark Andrews to feast on targets closer to the line of scrimmage while defenses sell out to keep Jefferson off Jackson's radar.
It would take a considerable amount of draft capital to bring Jefferson to Baltimore. The market was set not long ago with the Davante Adams trade, when the Raiders gave up a first and a second-round pick. Jefferson is younger and even better than Adams, so the Vikings would truly cash in.
There's a certain appeal to pining for a Caleb Williams-Justin Jefferson partnership, but there's simply no guarantee it works out. The Vikings are hesitant to pay top dollar for Jefferson and one has to imagine he wouldn't be too happy with a blatant tank job.