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Vikings mentioned as potential suitor to trade for Matthew Stafford
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Vikings mentioned as potential suitor to trade for Matthew Stafford

The Vikings are 5-0 and Sam Darnold appears to be the NFL’s most improved player. So why would they make a trade for a quarterback?

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio mentioned Minnesota as a potential candidate to inquire about Matthew Stafford if the Rams decide to move on from their QB1 amid a 1-4 start to the season.

“For example, if the Jets offered a blueprint to make Sam Darnold look mortal, the Vikings would be wise (if they lose to the Lions and then to Stafford’s Rams) to at least consider the possibility of an upgrade ” wrote Florio. “(Coincidentally, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Stafford worked together for a year in LA and both won a Super Bowl ring for their efforts.)”

Stafford is 36 years old and has more than two years left on his four-year, $160 million contract. He won a Super Bowl in 2022, but given the Vikings’ current situation with Darnold on a team-friendly deal and JJ McCarthy waiting in the wings as the team’s future franchise QB, a deal to acquire Stafford wouldn’t amount to much make sense.

Florio did mention how a Stafford trade could be caused by injury. If Darnold goes down, it could at least make some sense for Minnesota to make a deal, as they have looked like one of the better teams in the NFC.

Fortunately for Vikings fans, Darnold is not injured, but he is off to his worst start of the season. Last week’s win over the Jets was his first game without a passing touchdown and he completed just 45.2% of his passes, but Minnesota did win.

Darnold has completed 63.5% of his passes this year for 1,111 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Stafford has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,238 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. There’s no infallible evidence that Stafford would even be a clear upgrade.

The Vikings are undoubtedly one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season and Darnold is one of the surprise players, but there wouldn’t be much point in fixing something that isn’t broken.