Vikings Rumors: Mullens officially on the Move for a Trade price of $200 Million.

As the season has officially begun, we’ll be showcasing some of the purple rumblings as Vikings rumors are coming in thick and fast.

The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that informs readers of the rumors circulating across Vikings Land. This time, we talk about Nick Mullens (maybe) getting traded, a Vikings trade detail that’s solidifying, and the big money moving through Detroit.

The first rumor is that Nick Mullens will be traded from Minnesota.

Football player Nick Mullens is talented. As a QB2/bridge option, teams could do far, far worse than him. Minnesota’s packed quarterback room is the only issue.

With a one-season contract worth over $10 million, Sam Darnold will have much more money than Mullens’ $2.23 million 2024 cap charge. The Vikings may save $1.855 million if Mullens is dealt.

Football player Nick Mullens is talented. As a QB2/bridge option, teams could do far, far worse than him. Minnesota’s packed quarterback room is the only issue.

With a one-season contract worth over $10 million, Sam Darnold will have much more money than Mullens’ $2.23 million 2024 cap charge. The Vikings may save $1.855 million if Mullens is dealt.

And then there’s J.J. McCarthy, the 21-year-old quarterback who will be relied upon to develop over the course of the next ten years as Minnesota’s quarterback. He is also guaranteed to be on the final roster of the Vikings.

Based on those fundamentals, it appears like Mullens or Jaren Hall will have to play quarterback elsewhere. Given that Hall is a fifth-round selection, it seems safer to hold onto him.

Over the weekend, Josh Frey evaluated the situation and provided a list of three teams that would be a good fit for the seasoned Mullens. Frey believes that Baltimore, Los Angeles (Rams), Chicago, and Los Angeles could all use a boost at quarterback. The Vikings most likely have a chance to get a late-round selection or may need to switch picks.

Include the Las Vegas Raiders as an additional possibility. They have a talented roster but a lackluster quarterback situation. Mullens has lived in Sin City before, so returning wouldn’t be entirely unexpected.

Rumor #2: The Vikings Witnessed the Final Trade Detail Being Locked In.

Indeed, they very definitely did.

It was Halloween last year that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made the decision to move Ezra Cleveland to Jacksonville. The move benefited three teams: it freed up cap space for Dalton Risner to start without opposition; it also allowed the team to recover draft capital. More precisely, the sixth-round selection that the Vikings selected was the first overall, at No. 177.

Furthermore, how was that pick used by Adofo-Mensah? He got under Oklahoma left tackle Walter Rouse’s skin.

Is there a chance Mr. Rouse replaces Cleveland? Not very encouraging is the left guard scenario. In order to earn a starting position in the NFL, Rouse wouldn’t be the first collegiate lineman to kick inside. After all, Cleveland fulfilled that precise role following a fruitful collegiate tenure at Boise State as a left tackle.

Rouse is now a Viking as a result of Adofo-Mensah dealing Cleveland for a sixth overall pick, regardless of how the position assignment turns out. As depth at OT and a possible option at OG, look for him to be on the final roster.

Rumor #3: Jared Goff’s contract with the Lions just soared above $200 million.

It’s a possibility. The two little words “up to” are packing a huge punch.

According to a league source, Goff “agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $212 million with $170 million guaranteed,” according to The Athletic. The team’s success and his impressive individual numbers serve as the main justification for keeping him on board: “In one of the best seasons of his career last season, Goff assisted the Lions in winning two postseason games and a division title for the first time in thirty years.” In the NFL, he ended fourth with thirty touchdown passes and second with 4,575 passing yards.

There’s going to be a lot of doubt about the transaction outside of Detroit. Although critics will point to the outstanding offensive line and exceptional skill (particularly Amon-Ra St. Brown), Goff has performed well. It also doesn’t hurt to have Ben Johnson at OC.

When they think of Kirk Cousins, Minnesotans will recall his four-season, $180 million contract. If the RD1 passer performs well in the upcoming seasons, they might also begin to consider what J.J. McCarthy might ask for. McCarthy should ideally perform well enough that there is discussion about how much his next contract ought to be.