Even if they trade up to the top of the draft to get a franchise quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings might not wind up with that man.
In recent days, there has been more talk about trades involving the Vikings and a quarterback Justin Herbert deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Judd Zulgad of SKOR North talked about the financial effects of that decision on Friday, April 5. Herbert recently inked a $262.5 million five-year extension that extends his contract through 2029. Zulgad contrasted that money with the kind of long-term talent Minnesota could secure by bringing the former Pro Bowler into the lineup.
Herbert’s cap hit is $19.3 million for [2024], but it jumps up dramatically to $37.3 million for [2025]. That is quite a bit. Now, in my opinion, he is easily among this league’s top ten, if not top five, quarterbacks. There are a lot of things to enjoy about the game he played here, too. It would also work really well with [Kevin] O’Connell’s system, in my opinion.
Let’s return to the financial aspects, though. In addition, given the team’s financial situation and the likelihood that Justin Jefferson will end up on the winning side (which I believe he will unless he is traded), I believe the team’s best course of action would be to try to trade up.
Would I, however, reject this out of hand if you discovered that it would not be possible? observed the Vikings doing wild things, some of which have proven successful. Therefore, no, I wouldn’t rule this out as a possibility. In terms of money, would I choose it first? No. Still, Justin Herbert the player intrigues me. I’m so damn right.
Though some have attempted to estimate, it would now only be speculation as to exactly what a deal would look like.
Although Herbert is only 26 years old and entering his sixth NFL season, he is an established player with a contract that runs for the next six seasons, making it tough to determine the value. McCarthy, who will be 21 years old next season, is rising in the draft ranks around the league and has most likely already achieved top-five value, or nearly there.
The primary distinction, however, is that McCarthy will serve as a rookie for the next four seasons under cost-controlled terms; after that, he will be subject to the same fifth-year team option clause that the league imposes on all first-round selections. Herbert’s projected salary caps are expected to increase further, from $37 million in 2025 to $46 million, $58 million, and $71 million in the ensuing three seasons.
It would be worthwhile to trade for Herbert even if McCarthy proves to be a disaster or merely a mediocre starter. Deal is a bust if McCarthy becomes an all-time great and/or Herbert declines or has major injury setbacks.
Even so, the Vikings would likely need to use their current draft selections, Nos. 11 and 23, to trade up to No. 5, then choose McCarthy and trade him to the Chargers in exchange for Herbert, considering his age, health history, and career trajectory. And the price might possibly go up.
However, in that case, the Vikings land probably one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL and retain wide receiver Jordan Addison, putting them in a strong position to contend in the NFC North Division for the ensuing few seasons.
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