The Minnesota Vikings have the capital to trade into the top of the draft for a franchise quarterback, but even if they do, that player may not end up their guy.
Trade speculation surrounding the Vikings and a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers for QB Justin Herbert has picked up steam in recent days. On Friday, April 5, Judd Zulgad of SKOR North discussed the financial implications of that move — as Herbert recently signed a five-year extension worth $262.5 million that keeps him under contract through 2029 — and compared them against the type of talent Minnesota could lock down long-term by adding the former Pro Bowler to the roster.
"I would not dismiss this as a possibility. Would it be my first choice financially? No. Am I intrigued though by Justin Herbert the player? Damn right I am" 👀
– @jzulgad on the idea of the #Vikings trading for QB Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/FCakiCiokk
— SKOR North – Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) April 5, 2024
For [2024], Herbert’s cap hit is $19.3 million and then … in [2025] it spikes up drastically to $37.3 [million]. That’s a lot. Now, I do consider him to be a top-10, easily, if not top-five quarterback in this league. And if you go back to the game he played here, I mean, there’s a lot to like. And I think in [Kevin] O’Connell’s system, it would be a great fit.
But let’s go back to the financial implications. And if Justin Jefferson is going to get the bag — and until he’s traded, I think he is — and if you look at where this team is from a financial standpoint, I think the team’s personal choice would be to try to trade up.
But if you find that that’s going to be impossible, would I completely dismiss this? Seen the Vikings do crazy things and some of them have worked out. So no, I would not dismiss this as a possibility. Would it be my first choice financially? No. Am I intrigued, though, by Justin Herbert the player? Damn right I am.
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“So a month ago, I would have said this entire scenario was, like, absolutely crazy. And I think I might have dismissed this at one point,” Zulgad said of Herbert and McCarthy being part of a trade between Minnesota and L.A. “But in light of the information that we have received, and in the light of the fact that I do think it is incumbent upon the Vikings to explore — and I’m guessing that they are — every option possible … If you’re the Vikings and let’s say Jim Harbaugh has called ya, I don’t think you’re gonna hang up the phone.”