Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The 6-1 Minnesota Vikings are preparing for an important matchup against a 6-1 Buffalo Bills team on Monday night. Win or lose, there will be calls for the front office, led by first-year general manager Nolan Teasley, to strike a deal before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, which arrives at 3 p.m. central time.
Another ugly showing by an offense that ranks 27th in scoring, and fans may want to see a new quarterback (even though Carson Wentz is replacing an injured Kyler Murray) or a different running back to reduce Aaron Jones’ workload. The Vikings have been connected to upgrades at both positions, and now a franchise icon thinks the front office shouldn’t hesitate to be aggressive in search of improvement.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Pursuing Trade Upgrade At Specific Position Before Tuesday’s NFL Deadline
Adam Thielen Wants Minnesota Vikings to Trade for a Different QB
Minnesota Vikings
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) enters the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
While the fans have been vocal about wanting to see the Vikings make a trade deadline addition, former players are chiming in too.
Now, Vikings legend Adam Thielen appeared on a Minnesota radio station to urge the front office not to sit on their hands and find a quarterback who can maximize the potential of this offense.
“They have to. We’re all in. We got the No. 1 defense in the NFL. Let’s go. They’re going for someone, they have to. It’s gotta be a quarterback. There’s no other position that (they) can go out and get that instantly makes them Super Bowl contenders. I don’t know how they do it, but let’s go.”
Adam Thielen on Minnesota Vikings’ Trade Deadline Plans
Adam Thielen believes the Minnesota Vikings HAVE to make a move at quarterback before the NFL trade deadline! Thielen joins The Power Trip to explain why Minnesota needs a long-term answer at quarterback, why Justin Herbert would be his preferred target and why he’d also welcome Kirk Cousins or Daniel Jones. With the Vikings boasting one of the NFL’s best defenses, is it time to go all in? #Vikings #SKOL #AdamThielen #JustinHerbert #NFL #KFAN #Shorts
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) November 9, 2026
Then, Thielen was asked if he’d welcome the team trading for Daniel Jones, whom the Indianapolis Colts have reportedly told won’t be traded. Thielen would be on board. He was also asked about his former teammate Kirk Cousins. Again, Thielen would be on board. But those aren’t the QBs he’d hand-pick for this Vikings team.
Rather, Thielen’s choice to lead the 2026 Vikings is actually Justin Herbert, who has led the Los Angeles Chargers to a 0-8 record thus far.
“The nice thing about Daniel Jones or Justin Herbert, specifically is, he’s entering his prime and he’s going to be there for a long time. You get a guy that’s not just a fill-in. You’re gonna have to give up a lot so it better be something that’s gonna be there for a long time and gonna stop this trend of three quarterbacks every season here in Minnesota.”
Adam Thielen on Vikings/Justin Herbert Trade
While Herbert leads the NFL with 11 interceptions, no one would deny he’s a talented quarterback with a strong arm and the mobility that coach Kevin O’Connell seeks. Yet, even in a down year, the Chargers would likely set a high price for their 28-year-old franchise quarterback, and that’s if he’s even available at all.