The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated and in the midst of a well-deserved bye week. They are among the top contenders to win a Super Bowl. Kevin O’Connell has the offense humming, and Brian Flores is working wonders on defense. That’s not enough for one insider to stop short of suggesting a substantial change.
Sam Darnold comes under fire for Minnesota Vikings
Thus far Sam Darnold has done everything the Minnesota Vikings have needed from him. He has been consistently productive, and Kevin O’Connell has talked admirably of his signal caller. That won’t stop Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio from calling for a massive change.
“If, for example, the Jets provided a blueprint for making Sam Darnold look mortal, the Vikings would be wise (if they lose to the Lions and then to Stafford’s Rams) to at least entertain the possibility of an upgrade. (Coincidentally, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Stafford worked together for a year in L.A. And they both won a Super Bowl ring for their efforts.)”
Mike Florio on the Vikings trading for Matthew Stafford (Pro Football Talk)
Florio choosing to float the Vikings as a destination for Stafford is a curious decision. Of course there is familiarity between the signal caller and Kevin O’Connell. That doesn’t make it any less illogical that Minnesota would want the Rams quarterback. An injury to Darnold could change things, but there is less than zero reason to think that the Vikings would simply look to upgrade their quarterback at this juncture.
As Vikings fans, we are all so freaking proud of you, Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/x4gOo5cFzW
— A L I S S A (@MissAlissaS) October 6, 2024
Stafford may be a nominal upgrade over Darnold at this point. That could be debated though, and there’s no way the coaching staff would alter the locker room like that. Beyond just bringing in Stafford, there is the reality that he has two years left on his contract and the Rams would incur huge dead cap hits.
More realistically the Vikings will continue to search for avenues to upgrade the team elsewhere. They still could make a substantial move at the defensive tackle position. Depth across the roster is always a desire, and injuries may take place over the next couple of weeks.
The trade deadline doesn’t rear its head until Week 9 this season. The Vikings have some time to figure things out. Don’t bet on them trying to bring in a new quarterback though.
