Report: Vikings could be 'key player' in 'active trade deadline'

SI's Albert Breer has reason to believe it could be a very active NFL trade deadline.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Oct 12, 2023 10:52 AM EDT

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes the Minnesota Vikings could be sellers ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. That's not breaking news by any means since the Vikings are 1-4 and set to play the next four games without Justin Jefferson, but the words coming out of Breer's mouth this week carry a little more weight. Here's why.

"I'll put it this way. Back in April and May, I had some really smart NFL people tell me they thought this might be the most active trade deadline in a long time. And the reason why was because of the quarterback group coming out," Breer explained during a guest appearance with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday.

"I just think there are going to be some interesting conversations in some of these buildings where an owner could get starry-eyed over the idea of getting a Caleb Williams or a Drake Maye, so I think that could lead to some pretty interesting dynamics over the next couple of weeks."

With the Bears and 49ers on deck, the Vikings are staring at a strong possibility of a 2-5 or 1-6 record leading into the final week before the Halloween trade deadline.

"How about Minnesota? What would you get for Danielle Hunter? Like a top-end pass rusher, forget Kirk Cousins. What could you get for Danielle Hunter? What could you get for Harrison Smith? What could you get for K.J. Osborn, whose a really good slot receiver in a contract year who you might not be willing to pay because you've got Justin Jefferson to pay and you've got Jordan Addison on the other side of him," Breer said.

"I think teams like Minnesota and Denver – which aren't objectively bad rosters – have pieces to sell, could wind up being key players at the trade deadline and in a different way than they have been in the past as sellers, not buyers."