The Minnesota Vikings are seemingly committed to drafting a quarterback in the upcoming April draft to secure their future, but they passed on another enticing opportunity.
After Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons soon after the free agency period began, the starting quarterback position became vacant in Minnesota. During this time, the Chicago Bears were still looking to trade quarterback Justin Fields, realizing that they wouldn’t fetch a second-round return in a trade.
Eventually, the Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional pick in the 2025 draft. This pick could range from a sixth-round selection to a fourth-rounder based on Fields’ playing time in the 2024 season. Chicago agreed to this deal, partly because general manager Ryan Poles aimed to honor his commitment to Fields.
This commitment involved swiftly moving Fields to one of the four destinations he believed would be best for his future. Pittsburgh was one of these destinations, alongside Minnesota, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
While it’s uncertain whether the Vikings initiated talks with the Bears regarding a potential deal for Fields, it’s improbable that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were unaware of Fields’ interest in Minnesota as one of his top choices.
Acquiring Fields would have posed financial complexities for the Vikings, but the initial cost would likely have been lower than what they will spend in the upcoming draft. To secure Fields, Minnesota might have needed to surpass the Steelers’ offer, possibly by offering a conditional fifth-round pick that could elevate to a fourth-rounder.
Instead of pursuing Fields, the Vikings traded two second-round picks and a sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans to acquire the No. 23 overall pick. This move suggests that the Vikings intend to package this selection, along with their No. 11 pick, to trade up into the top five picks and potentially draft prospects like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. However, this strategy could ultimately require the Vikings to relinquish a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, depending on how high they aim to trade and the competition for those draft positions.
By passing on the opportunity to trade for Fields, the Vikings avoided immediate financial decisions at the quarterback position. However, Fields is likely to become significantly more expensive in the near future.
