An Oldie but a Goodie: Vikings Linked to NFC QB Yet Again

The Vikings being linked to Mac Jones feels like the sort of chatter that belongs in February rather than November. Credit to Ted Nguyen of The Athletic for resurrecting a seemingly dead rumor.

Last week, the film analyst took on ten trades “that could swing the Super Bowl race.” Jones sees himself listed as an option for Minnesota. The fit makes some sense due to the Vikings being so terrible in the passing game alongside the scheme overlap between what Kyle Shanahan does and what Kevin O’Connell is trying to do. So, how about a bold swap to kick start an anemic passing attack?

The Vikings, Mac Jones, & The NFL Trade Deadline

Alongside the suggestion that a 3rd and 5th would be the compensation, Nguyen offers his analysis.

“This one is a stretch,” the NFL writer begins, “but bear with me. Despite Kyler Murray being close to a breakthrough — he’s still in the early stages of Kevin O’Connell’s offense — what if he has another unproductive game in Week 8 and the Vikings brass gets nervous?”

More thoughts from Nguyen: “Murray is on a one-year deal, and they didn’t invest much to get him. Jones is another former first-round pick who already has a year of Shanahan rehabbing under his belt and has shown he could play at a relatively high level in the right environment.”

Not too long afterwards, Nguyen ventures into some speculation about Jauan Jennings getting worked into the mix. As it turns out, Nguyen was exactly right to insist that Minnesota and San Francisco would talk Jennings in trade, albeit without the newfound insight that the WR3 doesn’t want to leave Minnesota.

Where does that leave the hypothetical swap? On life support.

The 49ers are moving through a terrific season, largely due to Brock Purdy operating at a phenomenal level. He has battled injury in the past, making it unlikely that San Francisco would want to ship out the NFL’s most promising QB2 to a conference rival that’s hunting for the coveted playoff bye.

Quite likely, the Vikings will want to explore what sort of options exist to enhance the quarterback spot, meaning the turn will have to be for passers who aren’t employed in the Bay Area. Nguyen has a suggestion: “Kirk Cousins could also be an option, but I don’t think the Raiders want to trade him, and Jones could help this season and potentially be a long-term option.”

Mr. Cousins makes a ton of sense. There has then been chatter surrounding guys like Justin Herbert and Jacoby Brissett. Surely there are others who could get added, as well.

Minnesota is being led by a offense-first head coach in Kevin O’Connell, who has been in power since 2022. At some point, Coach O’Connell needs to build a formidable offense.

Whoever lines up under center gets the benefit of passing the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson. Most consider that a dream setup but the Vikings haven’t been able to crack the code. Seldom has it ever looked so difficult to deliver to pigskin to a terrific set of skill guys.

The Vikings take on the Bills. on Monday Night Football. As a result, the Vikings will have the tough test of looking to corral the most dangerous quarterback in the game. On the Tuesday to follow, the Vikings will see the NFL’s trade deadline arrive.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.