The Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins via free agency, leaving a gaping hole for the team under center.
The general consensus is that the Vikings will find their next franchise quarterback in the NFL Draft next month, but Phil Mackey of SKOR North has another potential solution: Justin Herbert.
While there is no indication that the Los Angeles Chargers are even considering trading Herbert (they aren’t), Mackey posed the possibility on Purple Daily.
“I make the phone call, just to explore it,” Mackey said. “I think swallowing all that dead money would be really stupid and problematic with that franchise (the Chargers), but you’re damn right I make the phone call.”
Well, Minnesota would have to be prepared to give up an arm, a leg and then some if it seriously wanted to make a pitch for Herbert, and even then, Los Angeles would probably hang up the phone.
Even in a disappointing 2023 campaign, Herbert was still solid, throwing for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 starts before bowing out due to a finger injury. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes and posted a passer rating of 93.2.
The 26-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oregon, was selected by the Chargers with the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He enjoyed a terrific rookie year, totaling 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 picks while completing 66.6 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 98.3.
The following year, Herbert finished with 5,014 yards, 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, completing 65.9 percent of his passes and recording a 97.7 passer rating en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Herbert then took a bit of a step back in 2022, tallying 4,739 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 picks while completing 68.2 percent of his throws and posting a passer rating of 93.2.
The Eugene, Or. native is one of the top young signal-callers in football, so the chances of the Vikings being able to swing a trade for him are less than one percent.
Justin Herbert will unquestionably be starting the 2024 campaign in a Chargers uniform.
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