It’s starting to feel like a foregone conclusion that the Vikings will trade with the Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Assuming there are three quarterbacks at the top, followed by Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 5 pick feels like the linchpin of the class.
Previous assumptions had been that Minnesota would select Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy if Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye were left out. But let’s assume there is some confusion in the NFL Draft.More appropriately, let’s assume it’s Jim Harbaugh. choose chaos.
If there’s one thing we know about Harbaugh, it’s that he has very clear opinions about football and what it takes to win. He built a national championship on defense and running the football, but right now Los Angeles is a hole-in-the-wall organization with just a franchise quarterback and not much else.
Okay, let’s stop burying the lead and throw this out into the universe.
Los Angeles Chargers Benefits:
- 2024 1st round pick (11th overall)
- 2024 1st round pick (23rd overall)
- 2025 first round pick
- WR Jordan Addison
Minnesota Vikings receive
This is one of those ideas that seems completely silly, but the more you keep thinking about it, the more it starts to make sense. In this scenario, the Chargers would have a full complement of holes on both sides of the ball, while the Vikings would have the only thing truly missing with the departure of Kirk Cousins: a top-tier quarterback. I got.
To add to the romanticism of all of this, I’m sticking with the idea of picking the Chargers at No. 5. themselves They selected JJ McCarthy, connecting the Michigan QB with the former head coach in Los Angeles.
Why on earth would the Chargers consider this?
Simply put, they aren’t winning. The NFL has changed dramatically over the past 24 months, and you no longer need to have an elite quarterback to win.
Miami accomplished this with Tua Tagovailoa, the 49ers accomplished it with Brock Purdy, and the Lions have Jared Goff’s rise under center. If you can build a system that doesn’t emphasize elite quarterback play, you can win. that’s right What Harbaugh did at the University of Michigan.
Justin Herbert’s immediate ceiling is pretty low without Mike Williams or Keenan Allen. Replenishing the offensive arsenal will take time, but it’s unclear if that’s the allocation of resources the Chargers would like.
With this trade and two more first-round picks, Los Angeles gets a quarterback Harbaugh knows can win. this year To fill the gap. The team will acquire one more in 2025 in Jordan Addison, an emerging receiver who could legitimately be No. 1 on a team without Justin Jefferson.
The biggest problem the Chargers had going into 2024 free agency was that they poured a lot of money into a few guys and the results just weren’t winning. If you want a fresh approach, you hire Jim Harbaugh. While it’s bold (and painful), this could be the move that prevents Herbert from becoming Philip Rivers 2.0.
Why this makes sense for the Vikings
Look, it’s Justin Herbert. There aren’t many opportunities to acquire a quarterback like that in a trade.
Minnesota is stuck in draft purgatory, unable to find a bona fide franchise quarterback, and it’s too good to add salt to the earth and destroy everything.vikings attack teeth It’s built around elite quarterback play, so they need to acquire quality talent at the position without taking any risks.
The Vikings are also on the clock. As it stands, they have the best receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, but no one can throw the ball to him. Even if they settle on a player like JJ McCarthy in the draft, there’s no guarantee he’ll reach Jefferson’s full potential.
Keeping Jefferson happy is the most important concern. The worst-case scenario for this organization is that they whiff on a QB, realize he doesn’t fit their vision, and as a result, Jefferson demands a trade. That would let the star receiver know that the team is serious about him reaching his full potential, which would make him happy long-term.
Losing Addison will hurt, especially as he’s emerging as a top talent, but Minnesota I know How to Draft Receivers. Jefferson and TJ Hockenson will be sufficient weapons right away, and other receiver spots could be filled over time.
Could this actually happen?
No, probably not.
It seems silly because it requires so many steps and interlocking parts to accomplish this. Acquiring and trading one of the best quarterbacks in the league is a surefire way to get fired if things don’t work out, and I don’t think either Harbaugh or general manager Joe Hortis are willing to do that right now.
Still, this is one of those chaotic moves that could completely change the NFL Draft and actually makes sense for those involved. I can’t say the same about draft day trading, but this is crazy.
