nbcsports
The Minnesota Vikings might be active buyers in the quarterback market if they fall to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. The team would have approximately 16 hours after the game concludes to complete a trade before the deadline, according to sources. This urgency stems from the Vikings' current situation, where Kyler Murray's hamstring injury and Carson Wentz's opportunity to start have created uncertainty at the position.
Wentz, who is set to start against the 6-1 Bills, could solidify his role with a strong performance. If he leads the Vikings to victory, he may retain the starting job for the remainder of a challenging four-game stretch that includes road games against the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico. However, a loss could prompt the Vikings to seek an upgrade via trade.
One potential target is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones, who spent a couple of months with the Vikings in 2024, might welcome a return to Minnesota, especially given the Colts' recent decisions to trade away guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, signaling a possible rebuild. The Colts may also be inclined to move Jones to avoid a $4 million roster bonus due in March and to clear $38 million in non-guaranteed cash for 2027. Trading Jones would allow Indianapolis to recoup value, whereas cutting him would yield nothing.
Another name that has surfaced is Kirk Cousins, currently with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, acquiring Cousins would be more complicated. The Raiders, at 4-4, are still in contention, and Cousins has been performing well, ranking third in passing yards (2,124) and second in touchdown passes (19) with a passer rating of 101.4, higher than Josh Allen's. Even if Las Vegas were willing to part with Cousins and turn to Fernando Mendoza, the cost to acquire him would likely be higher than for Jones.
Key Analysis
The Vikings' decision may hinge entirely on Monday night's outcome. A win could stabilize the quarterback situation and eliminate the need for a trade, while a loss could make Tuesday a pivotal day for the franchise. With the trade deadline looming, Minnesota's management faces a tight window to assess their options and potentially make a move that could shape their playoff aspirations.
Originally reported by nbcsports.