2024-10-24 07:40:03
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A rumor started floating around on social media on Tuesday night that the Minnesota Vikings were pursuing a trade for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, but it sounds like that’s not the case.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reported on Wednesday that “there’s zero truth to the idea the Vikings are trying to trade for” Stafford.
The Vikings are coming off their first loss of the year after falling to the Detroit Lions on Sunday 31-29. However, Minnesota is still regarded as one of the best teams in the league and appears to have a real chance at competing for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Trading Stafford sounds like a farfetched idea, but the Rams are 2-4 and could be willing to start building for the future by dealing away its top players. Star receiver Cooper Kupp told reporters on Tuesday that he’s “aware” his name has come up in trade rumors, so there’s a chance he isn’t alone.
However, the Vikings don’t appear to have a quarterback problem, as Sam Darnold is playing the best football of his career. The 2018 No. 3 pick has completed a career-best 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was expected to be a bridge quarterback for rookie JJ McCarthy, the 2024 No. 10 pick, but McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
It would make little sense for the Vikings to disrupt their chemistry by removing Darnold as the starter, even for someone of Stafford’s caliber. It should also be noted that Stafford hasn’t been very productive this year with just three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Coincidentally, the Vikings and Rams are set to face each other on Thursday Night Football. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the speculation surrounding Stafford continued until the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
