Vikings Rumors: Patriots DT Lawrence Guy named as an enticing trade candidate
With trades currently dominating conversations, why didn't the Minnesota Vikings throw their hat in the ring for ex-Cardinals player Isaiah Simmons? The Giants got the former first-round pick for just a seventh-round pick.
Heading in this season, the Vikings could use as much defensive help as they can get after finishing in the bottom half of the league in defensive DVOA, sacks, passing yards allowed, and several other categories in 2022.
One NFL pundit recently proposed an intriguing trade candidate for the Vikes in Patriots defensive lineman Lawrence Guy.
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin said Guy's time in New England could be winding down with the arrival of second-rounder Keion White and named the Vikings as a potential landing spot.
Guy does make a fairly enticing target for the Vikings as he has connections to defensive coordinator Brian Flores back when both spent time in New England.
But if the Vikings didn't budge on Simmons or Lance before, we wouldn't anticipate Minnesota making a last-minute grab for the 33-year-old Guy.
Vikings Rumors: Jalen Reagor on his way out, Brandon Powell on his way in
In 2022, the Vikings gave two picks to the Eagles for wideout Jalen Reagor. One year later, the 2020 first-round pick appears to be on his last handout in Minnesota.
Reagor played in 17 games last year but only recorded eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown; the play he was most remembered for was the one he didn't make: Reagor stopped running on an over route in a regular season game against the Colts, leading to an interception.
In the 2023 preseason, Reagor's roster spot was far from locked, and he needed to prove his value over youngsters and rookies alike on the depth chart. He's currently battling for WR5 against vet Brandon Powell, and so far through training camp and three preseason games, it looks like Powell has the slight edge.
Reagor hasn't done much to prove his chemistry with Kirk Cousins has improved and looks out of place on the Vikes' offense.
The Vikings' front end of the wide receiver unit feels more or less cemented: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. If the Vikings opt to carry six wide receivers, Reagor could perhaps sneak onto the roster, but if history is any indication, Minnesota tends to carry only five.
With Powell primed to take Reagor's punt returner job in 2023, Reagor should be prepared to pack his bags. He's squandered his second opportunity in the league -- maybe one more charitable team will give him a third shot?
Vikings Rumors: Minnesota was 'not in' on Trey Lance trade talks at all
So, Trey Lance got traded. To the Dallas Cowboys.
As one of the Cowboys' NFC rivals and potentially QB-needy team, the Minnesota Vikings naturally gave their thoughts on the Lance trade, telling reporters they were not interested and "not in" on the Lance talks at any point.
According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the team remains invested in 2023 fifth-rounder Jaren Hall.
"I would definitely like to keep him around," O'Connell said.
Then again, how much weight do coaches' words carry these days?
When 49ers general manager John Lynch said he was "happy with Trey" and that "the most likely option is that he's here", Lance got traded to the Cowboys just a few days later.
Hall has been with the Vikings for less than six months, and it's likely Minnesota is going to give him adequate time to develop. But one does wonder... Why didn't the Vikings enter the Trey Lance conversation?
Lance going to the Vikings makes more sense than the Cowboys in our minds.
Many Vikings fans may have wanted to see the franchise at least match the Cowboys' measly return of a fourth-rounder to get, at the very worst, a high-quality backup for Cousins. With Cousins' hazy future in Minnesota, would trading for Lance have been such a bad idea? The Vikings have certainly made more questionable acquisitions in the past (one of whom is featured on this rumors list).