Vikings Desperate for QB Trade After Wentz Meltdown

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Vikings Face Quarterback Crisis as Trade Deadline Pressure Mounts

The Vikings delivered a pathetic performance, led by a historically bad night from Carson Wentz. He completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions, finishing with an 8.9 passer rating. It was the worst rating since Sam Darnold recorded a 3.6 in his 2019 “seeing ghosts” game.

The Bills improved to 7-1, while the Vikings fell to 6-2 after their second consecutive loss. With the trade deadline arriving, reports indicate that Minnesota will attempt to acquire a quarterback.

The problem is that everyone knows the Vikings are desperate. Other quarterbacks are available, and multiple teams may be interested, but no team needs one as badly as Minnesota. That gives potential trade partners significant leverage when setting an asking price.

The Raiders should hold on to Kirk Cousins until the final minutes before the deadline to see what the Vikings are willing to offer. Minnesota has Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Hawkinson, a good offensive line, two good running backs and a historically great defense. The team also has a defensive coordinator who could leave at the end of the year.

The current situation comes back to KOC and the decision to trade JJ McCarthy for a fifth-round pick. McCarthy is now playing well for the New York Giants, while Minnesota chose Kyler Murray and felt comfortable enough with Wentz as the backup to move McCarthy.

Some members of the media and Vikings fans believe the team should not bail KOC out. Minnesota could now be forced to surrender a second- or third-round pick, or possibly even a late first-round selection, for a quarterback who might only be a one-year rental. Bringing Cousins back would also be a major embarrassment for the organization.

Justin Herbert has also been mentioned, but a deal for him could require multiple first-round picks. Minnesota could have pursued Jacoby Brissett earlier, but the team already had Murray, Wentz and Max Brosmer in its quarterback room and did not want to add another player.

Now Murray is injured, and Wentz has been highly ineffective. He looked awful against Buffalo and may have thrown his final NFL pass. The Vikings must attempt to add a quarterback in the middle of the season, even though that player would have no rapport or connection with the roster.

That is why Cousins is the most necessary option. If the Raiders are negotiating with Minnesota, they should demand multiple draft picks and potentially a player. They have the leverage to hold the Vikings over a barrel, especially with Fernando Mendoza available and this already viewed as a lost first season in which Kubiak is not getting fired.