In sports, there is no worse place to be than limbo — something the Minnesota Vikings know all too well.
Those at the top compete for championships. They sell their fans — and team — on the idea that they can be the best. Teams at the bottom can tell themselves that they’re a couple of right decisions away from being at the top. Those in the middle can’t do either.
Good enough to be relevant, bad enough to be nothing more.
2024 NFL DRAFT TOP 10 LISTS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE
The Vikings are the classic ‘C’ student, constantly doing just enough to pass. They have a talented roster with some major holes to fill. In an NFC North that is currently owned by the Lions and Packers, the Vikings also now have to deal with the Bears, who should be vastly improved in 2024.
They can no longer just get by in a strong division. How the Vikings approach the 2024 NFL Draft will give us a glimpse into how the franchise views themselves in this moment and beyond. Rumors are swirling, trade winds are blowing.
The question is whether this ship is ready to set sail or remain docked for the foreseeable future. Here’s the latest on Minnesota ahead of Thursday night’s first round.
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Vikings draft rumors
It’s no secret that things need to change for Minnesota after a 7-10 season. Kirk Cousins expedited that process after he bolted for the Falcons in free agency, leaving Minnesota without a quarterback.
The Vikings aimed to patch that hole by signing journeyman Sam Darnold. The 2018 No. 3 overall pick of the Jets flamed out as a starter there and with the Panthers before backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco in 2023.
Kevin O’Connell’s team can’t rely on the former USC star to be the undisputed QB1 if they want to compete, meaning the draft is the next best thing. On the bright side for the Vikings, they have a chance to acquire one.
MORE: Tracking the latest leaks, news, trade buzz ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Will the Vikings trade up for a QB?
Minnesota is considered to be one of the more interesting teams to watch during Round 1. It’s been well-documented that they are on the hunt for a quarterback, with J.J. McCarthy being the name that’s most linked to them.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants and Vikings are the two teams that have the most interest in moving up. He also reported on Monday that if Minnesota could get to the No. 3 pick, teams believe they would prefer Drake Maye over McCarthy. Considering Maye’s connection with Vikings’ QB coach Josh McCown, the dots aren’t hard to connect here.
Armed with two first-round picks — No. 11 and No. 23 — Minnesota lacks additional top-100 selections. Any trade-up likely includes both firsts, which would complicate matters when it comes to fixing other holes on the roster.
MORE: Recent history says Vikings should pass on trading up for a top-three pick
Regardless, ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin reported on April 18 that the team would like to have a top-five pick heading into draft night.
“They have been on the phone trying to actively move up,” Martin said on ESPN’s “Get Up. “In a perfect world, the Vikings would start Thursday with that top-five pick already in hand, but it’s not guaranteed yet, and their GM has to decide if they’re going to give up the kind of compensation that they need to get into the top five.”
That won’t be an easy task considering the Patriots are considered unlikely to trade out of the No. 3 spot and the Cardinals are waiting until draft night to make a deal.
“[Monti] Ossenfort has told teams around the league that have inquired about trading up that he wants to wait until he is in position to pick before agreeing to any trade,” Schefter reported on Monday.
Despite all the noise, McCarthy seems destined to end up in Minnesota as the Vikings prepare for life without Cousins.
MORE: Why J.J. McCarthy is drawing Jim Harbaugh comparisons from Mel Kiper Jr.
Justin Jefferson contract extension coming soon?
Amidst all the quarterback concerns, Justin Jefferson is still due for a contract extension. The belief is that it will come eventually, but it can be an uncomfortable situation given the lack of direction facing the franchise right now.
Despite those issues, an Instagram post from Jefferson on Sunday seemed to indicate some positive news might be coming soon.
“The money speakin for itself, I call it fortune-tell,” Jefferson wrote.
Trade rumors have continued to swirl thanks to the lack of an extension, but Jefferson has still been involved in the local sports scene — possibly suggesting those trade talks are overblown.
MORE: Which teams are contenders for Justin Jefferson if he gets traded?
The star receiver also attended the Timberwolves Game 1 matchup against the Suns on Saturday.
When and if the deal is finalized, Jefferson is expected to sign a contract that pays him more than $ 30 million a year.
If Minnesota can swing a trade up in the draft and ink Jefferson to a new deal, those would be two big wins to finish up the offseason.
