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


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

The Vikings are 5-0 and Sam Darnold appears to be the most improved player in the NFL. So why would they consider trading for a quarterback?

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio mentioned Minnesota as a potential suitor 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 delivered a plan 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,” Florio wrote. “(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 looming as the team's future franchise QB, a deal to acquire Stafford would make little sense .

Florio mentioned that a move from Stafford could be due to injury. If Darnold does indeed go down, it might make at least a little sense for Minnesota to make a deal since they looked like one of the better teams in the NFC.

Luckily for Vikings fans, Darnold is not injured, but 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 won.

Darnold has completed 63.5% of his passes this year, for 1,111 yards, 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Stafford has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,238 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. There is no hard 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 it wouldn't make much sense to try to fix something that isn't broken.

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