Trade Pitch Lands Vikings $90 Million Star at the Cost of Sam Darnold
Four games into the post-Kirk Cousins era the Minnesota Vikings‘ Super Bowl window appears open with the talent the talent they’ve infused the roster with and Sam Darnold‘s effectiveness as a plug-and-play replacement in Kevin O’Connell‘s offense.
There are few items left on general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s shopping list after he signed eight veteran defenders in the offseason that have made an impact early this season.
However, there is still one big want for Brian Flores’ defense — and it would likely come at the cost of keeping Darnold in Minnesota.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is becoming the center of trade chatter ahead of the league’s November 5 deadline.
Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million extension in March 2023, but if the Giants, currently 1-3, are on the verge of a rebuild, the right trade package could pry Lawrence away from New York.
That deal would need to start with the Vikings’ 2025 first-round pick and an additional first-rounder, which are looking more like late-round picks with every Vikings win this season.
However, it would not only be a win-now move for the 2024 season but also a foundational piece to contention for years to come.
Darnold’s future in Minnesota looks unlikely outside of a Super Bowl win this season, but supporting Lawrence’s contract would eliminate any realistic discussion about running it back with Darnold on a new contract in 2025.
