A new report opens the door for the Minnesota Vikings to trade for a QB with star talent and move some contracts they no longer want. But there is also a lot of risk in this.
The 2025 NFL season was one that Vikings fans will look back on with disappointment and regret. After going 14-3 with Sam Darnold as quarterback a year ago, the organization decided to let him leave in free agency and pinned its hopes on 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy. That proved to be a wrong decision.
While McCarthy posted a 6–4 record in his 10 games, his success in those games was less about him and more a demonstration of how good his defense was. The young QB’s tremendous performance left many Minnesota fans wondering what this season could have been like with better options at quarterback. Darnold, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, added to fans’ disappointment.
That’s why there have been reports that the team will bring in a veteran QB to compete with McCarthy this summer, as the Vikings could be a Super Bowl contender in 2026 if they get better play from the team’s most important position. Well, there is an interesting option available to a desperate franchisee.
According to Jason La Canfora of Sports Boom, the trade market for Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is non-existent, and sports officials feel his contract makes him “irreplaceable.” The one-time Pro Bowler has three years and $111 million remaining on his deal.
While there is a huge risk in trading Tagovailoa, the Vikings should consider a potential move.
Why should the Vikings consider a Tua Tagovailoa trade?
Yes, there are definitely things about Tagovailoa that are easy to dislike, beyond just his overpriced contract. He has always been small for his position, and has no demonic powers. But more than anything, his injury problems and being one hit away from the end of his career always loomed large.
Still, it can’t be denied that when he has meaningful stuff, he has had great success in the NFL. When he remained healthy throughout the 2023 season, he threw for over 4,600 yards and became a Pro Bowler. Furthermore, he has always been seen as a player with good character, even remembering his days at Alabama.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown throughout his career that he can do great things with quarterbacks. Yes, Tagovailoa staying healthy and returning to his Pro Bowl form in 2023 is a big hope. But O’Connell and Tagovailoa have a track record that makes it plausible in 2026. And if that version of the 27-year-old can return next season, the Vikings will have a major problem in the NFC.
Vikings could take advantage of Dolphins’ frustration
The Dolphins understand they gave Tagovailoa a bad contract, and La Canfora’s report suggests that sports officials know they have no leverage in a trade. If they cut him they will either have to find a deal or take a big hit. This creates a frustration that the Vikings can take advantage of. So the Vikings could consider making a deal where Miami keeps a good portion of his deal, or Minnesota could sell contracts they no longer want.
There have been rumors that defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, center Ryan Kelly and Aaron Jones could be candidates this offseason. Well, instead of making those cuts and taking a cap hit, he could be sent to Miami. The Dolphins are so desperate that they may be willing to take back the contracts of players they feel can help if it means moving Tagovailoa.
Is trading up for a damaged Dolphins QB a great option? Not necessary. But the signal-caller class in the NFL Draft isn’t good, and the options in free agency are equally bad. Of the proven veteran QBs Minnesota could add this offseason, Tagovailoa has some of the best upside if paired with O’Connell and a superstar receiver like Justin Jefferson next season.
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