Vikings Dinner With LSU’s Jayden Daniels Signals a Likely Push to Trade Up & Grab Their Next Franchise QB

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Minnesota Vikings are on the lookout for their next starting quarterback. With Kirk Cousins no longer leading the team and Sam Darnold expected to fill the role temporarily, the Vikings are exploring options to secure a long-term solution at quarterback.

Therefore, Vikings is hosting a dinner on Thursday with Jayden Daniels. This dinner gathering holds important implications for the Vikings’ future quarterback plans. Daniels, touted as one of the draft’s top three quarterbacks, has attracted considerable attention. 

Vikings’ high-stakes dinner with Jayden Daniels

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the dinner arranged exactly one week before the draft’s first round, underscores the gravity of the situation. Tom Pelissero wrote on X, “Former LSU QB Jayden Daniels is scheduled to have dinner tonight with #Vikings brass in Baton Rouge, per @Agentbutler1. Minnesota owns the No. 11 and 23 picks and has been gathering all the info in case there’s an opportunity to move up for one of the top QBs.”

As the Vikings currently hold the 11th and 23rd picks in the draft, meeting with Daniels indicates a potential intention to trade up to select him. Minnesota’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has hinted that he’s cautious about giving up too much for a quarterback. They lost out on keeping Kirk Cousins because they were outbid. But if they want one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, they might have to make a big move and pay a lot to get it. As per SI, he said, “If you get the guy right and he’s your answer for 10 years, then there’s no price you probably wouldn’t have paid, right, looking back?”

However, previously the team met several players but ended up not selecting them.

Vikings’ QB search: meeting top prospects

Among the quarterbacks the Vikings have met with is Caleb Williams from USC. While many expect Williams to be selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick, the Vikings still took the opportunity to meet with him earlier this year.

Drake Maye from North Carolina has also drawn interest from the Vikings. They attended his Pro Day and reportedly held a private workout with him, indicating serious consideration for the young quarterback. J.J. McCarthy from Michigan has caught the attention of the Vikings as well. They met with him at the Scouting Combine, and Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown even attended his Pro Day. Like Maye, McCarthy has also participated in a private workout with the team.

Michael Penix Jr. from Washington is another quarterback, Vikings reportedly conducted a private workout with him following his Pro Day. Finally, Bo Nix from Oregon rounds out the list. The team met with Nix at the Scouting Combine and held a private workout with him as well.

Overall, the Vikings’ meetings with these quarterback prospects showcase their commitment to finding the right fit for their team future.