Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
NFL rivals reportedly believe that the Minnesota Vikings are going to attempt an ambitious trade that will see them land one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft.

The Vikings currently possess the No. 11 and No. 23 overall picks for 2023 and have been active during the Pro Day period. They sent reps to Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye’s Pro Day sessions, though they didn’t have a look at Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix.

The NFC outfit did plan a meeting with Jayden Daniels, but things didn’t work out.

With Williams likely to come off the board at No. 1, when the Chicago Bears make their selection, they will probably have eyes on Maye or McCarthy.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that some teams are expecting the Minnesota Vikings to use their first-round picks in a trade that would see them move up to get either one of the aforementioned QBs.


The Vikings, [it] would be a perfect scenario for them,” Fowler said during an episode of SportsCenter on Friday. “There’s a belief among some teams that Minnesota could try to trade up to get him. It would take a lot, but they are armed with two first-round picks to try to make it happen.

Maye, the second-youngest player among the top six QB prospects, has been vaunted as a first-round selection despite all of the criticism he’s received ahead of the draft.

Reported Minnesota Vikings target Drake Maye playign for UNCCHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 11: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stiff-arms Jeremiah Lewis #39 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first overtime period at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 47-45 in double overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
I’ve heard from multiple league execs he has the most upside of any of the quarterbacks in this draft, maybe any player in this draft,” Fowler added. “He’s got that Josh Allen, Justin Herbert build. I’m not saying he’s them. But he’s got some of those shades.

If you can let him sit for a year behind the scenes, he can really develop into an All-Star.

Drake Maye Is Very Familiar With The Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks Coach

Should the Minnesota Vikings select Maye, he will link up with a familiar face. The team’s quarterbacks coach, Josh McCown, coached Maye in high school.

The QB recently referred to the coach as “awesome,” according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.

He’s always so positive,” Maye was quoted as saying. “He never says anything negative, and I think that’s the best thing about him. He’ll coach you up though.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are thought to be the top candidates for a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.