3 trades the Vikings should make at the NFL Trade Deadline
By Scott Rogust
The Minnesota Vikings are on the wrong side of the NFC North Division standings, and they need to make some moves at the deadline.
Entering this season, many pundits pegged the Minnesota Vikings as the winners of the NFC North. There was no way they expected the Vikings to sit in dead last place in the division. But that’s the reality right now, as Minnesota fell to 1-5 on the season after being blown out by the winless Atlanta Falcons.
There’s still plenty of season left, but it’s going to be hard to catch up with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in the standings, let alone contend for a playoff spot.
The Vikings need to build towards the future at the NFL trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add either. Here are three moves Minnesota should make prior to the deadline.
No. 3: Trade Riley Reiff to a team in need of LT
The writing has been on the wall for Riley Reiff this past year. Reiff has been subject to trade rumors, as he was initially due for a hefty pay day for the 2020 season, but that all changed after he took a pay cut to remain in Minnesota. But, Reiff is due over $11 million for the 2021 season before hitting free agency in 2022.
Reiff has been impressive thus far, as he allowed zero sacks this season. But, we can’t gloss over the fact that Minnesota drafted a first-round talent in Ezra Cleveland on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft. Minnesota needs to free up as much money as possible, and getting rid of Reiff’s heavy salary will help with that. So, trade him to a team that desperately needs him.
The Cincinnati Bengals make the most sense, as their offensive line is a turnstile. If the Bengals want to get the most out of rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, then they need to give him a solid blindside tackle. Reiff would immediately move in at left tackle, allowing them to move Jonah Williams to right tackle, a position he has played during his collegiate year at Alabama. That allows the Bengals to bench Bobby Hart for the remainder of the season. Plus, the Bengals are slated to have over $31 million in cap space in 2021, per Spotrac. It’s a great trade for both sides.