The Vikings’ Most Compelling Trade Offer to Land an Elite QB
. The Vikings’ most compelling offer may not get the job done, but it’s nevertheless something that’s worth exploring.</p>
<p>During the most recent regular season, <a href=)
Joe Burrow was in the headlines due to his public reflections on not enjoying football (who would over in Cincinnati?). Past iterations of quarterback speculation have involved Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, and Lamar Jackson. Of that trio, only Jackson is elite and only Murray appears to be available. If, however, Burrow did become available, how formidable would the Vikings’ offer be?
Journeying into speculative rumors becomes easier when at least a portion of the discussion remains rooted in reality. As a result, consider an actual NFL trade for a franchise quarterback. Matthew Stafford is a nice comparable.
Check it out:
| The LA Rams Receive | The Detroit Lions Receive |
| QB Matthew Stafford | QB Jared Goff |
| 3rd-Round Pick in 2021 | |
| 1st-Round Pick in 2022 | |
| 1st-Round Pick in 2023 |
Okay, some details to pry away from the chart. Landing Mr. Stafford — a high-end passer who was 32 at the time of the trade — cost a starting level passer, a pair of 1st-Round selections, and a 3rd. Not cheap, but a deal the Rams would do again without any hesitance. Worth noting, too, that the Lions didn’t do too poorly, either.
. Beginning to talk without that being the starting point means the phone line goes dead very quickly. </p>
<p>There would then need to be considerably more added into the mix. </p>
<p>Presumably, J.J. McCarthy would be part of the offer. The Bengals could therefore look to build around a young passer alongside whatever draft picks get added to the haul. So, the tally would be sitting at Mr. McCarthy — the No. 10 selection from 2024 who does have a ton of ability — alongside a pair of 1sts. </p>
<p>There would then need to be more added. Think something within the range of some Day 2 selections — 2nd and/or 3rd Round — or possibly even another 1st. Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is soon to leave Cincinnati behind. Would the Bengals desire Dallas Turner to build around at edge rusher? </p>
<p>If Cincinnati demanded two 1st-Round selections, a 2nd, J.J. McCarthy, and Dallas Turner, the Vikings should agree to the trade to bring Joe Burrow to the Twin Cities. </p>
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$275 million. Any trade would likely need to involve massaging the money no matter the acquiring team. As a result, Burrow’s desire to get traded to a specific location — such as Minnesota — would be vital since he would need to agree to a new deal, lowering his cap charge in the immediate.
 calls signals during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27894776.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=783,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27894776.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27894776.jpg” alt><figcaption>Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls signals during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>In 2025, Joe Burrow had to work through an injury that kept him out for a good portion of the season. He went 5-3 in his starts, completing 66.8% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. </p>
<p>Burrow and Jefferson won a National Championship while playing college ball at LSU. </p>
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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.