Vikings Weigh QB Trade Options Before 2026 NFL Deadline

The Minnesota Vikings have begun calling other NFL teams to ask about trading for a quarterback ahead of Tuesday's 2026 trade deadline, according to sources who spoke to ESPN and NFL Network.

What did sources tell ESPN about the Vikings?

Sources told ESPN and NFL Network that the Vikings have started making calls around the league regarding a potential quarterback trade before the deadline closes. The report, published by ESPN's NFL staff, does not name a specific player the team has targeted or identify which teams Minnesota has contacted. ESPN's report frames the calls as exploratory, consistent with how front offices routinely test the market before a deadline.

When is the NFL trade deadline?

ESPN's report references "Tuesday's deadline," placing the cutoff for in-season trades on the Tuesday following Week 10 of the 2026 NFL season. Teams that want to swap players, including quarterbacks, must finalize any deal before that deadline or wait until the offseason.

Which quarterback name surfaced in ESPN's coverage?

A video accompanying ESPN's story is titled "Will Daniel Jones become a Minnesota Vikings player today," suggesting Jones is at least one name connected to the Vikings' inquiries. ESPN's written report does not confirm Jones as a specific trade target, and the video title alone does not establish that a deal is close or that Jones is the only player Minnesota has asked about.

What else is happening around the NFL ahead of the deadline?

ESPN's trade deadline coverage from the same period notes other deadline activity across the league, including the Jacksonville Jaguars' decision to keep wide receiver Thomas Jr. through the deadline and a separate trade sending Eagles defensive tackle Davis to Jacksonville, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. Those moves illustrate the broader roster shuffling that typically accelerates in the days before the cutoff, though they are separate from the Vikings' reported quarterback calls.

What happens if the Vikings don't complete a trade by Tuesday?

If Minnesota does not finalize a quarterback trade before the deadline passes, the team's current roster at that position would remain in place for the rest of the regular season, since in-season trades are not permitted once the deadline closes. Any further quarterback moves would then have to wait until the offseason trade and free-agency periods. ESPN's report does not specify what the Vikings' internal evaluation of their current quarterback situation is, only that the team has begun making outside calls.

What should readers watch for next?

ESPN and NFL Network sources indicate the inquiries are active as the deadline approaches, meaning additional reporting on specific names, asking prices, or completed deals could emerge before Tuesday. Readers following the situation should expect updates directly from ESPN's trade deadline coverage as more teams confirm or deny involvement.