The Minnesota Vikings faced a huge setback this preseason with the season-ending injury to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who tore his meniscus. This development leaves veteran Sam Darnold as the team’s current starter. However, ESPN analyst and former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum has a different idea.
He suggested on Get Up that Minnesota should consider trading for a veteran quarterback, with an unexpected name in the mix. Tannenbaum states, “A win-win here is to trade Russell Wilson to Minnesota. I think he’s a better quarterback than Sam Darnold.”
Wilson is currently competing for the starting job in Pittsburgh with Justin Fields, which complicates any potential trade as Pittsburgh is still figuring out their quarterback situation. Nevertheless, acquiring Wilson, who’s on a one-year contract, could be a smart move for Minnesota.
With an established quarterback, the Vikings could be serious contenders in the NFC. The team boasts offensive stars such as All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, promising second-year receiver Jordan Addison (who caught 10 touchdowns as a rookie), Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson, and former Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones.
While Darnold is a seasoned player with 56 career starts, his 21-35 record and 70 turnovers over six seasons leave much to be desired. If Minnesota is focused on winning now, bringing in Wilson—one of the top quarterbacks from the past decade—could be a game-changer. Only time will tell if this trade becomes a reality.