The Los Angeles Chargers have, plainly, failed to give their superstar quarterback the pieces he's needed to contend through the first few years of his career. As a result, trade rumors have circulated more than once surrounding Justin Herbert.
Although nothing truly substantial has ever taken shape, it was reported after the 2024 NFL Draft that two teams, the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings, made calls concerning Herbert's availability.
Those two teams ultimately selected Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy in that draft, rather clearly signifying that those talks did not gain any momentum.
Yet things have taken a turn since that fateful night. While the Patriots have found their franchise quarterback in Maye, Minnesota continues to flounder. Speculation has abounded that they will be back on the quarterback market this offseason.
As a result, they could soon come circling back to Los Angeles.
The Vikings could be in play for a blockbuster quarterback trade, and all eyes will turn to Justin Herbert
After a missing his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus in his right knee, McCarthy's first full NFL season has been disappointing, to say the least.
He dealt with injuries throughout the course of the season, finishing his first nine games with a 57.3% completion rate, 1,450 passing yards, 15 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Minnesota has an 8-8 record heading into Week 17 and will miss the playoffs after having some of the loftiest expectations in the NFC to begin the season.
McCarthy's career is by no means over, but he has shown enough inconsistencies and shakiness in his first full season that no one would blame the Vikings for testing the market this offseason.
Herbert, meanwhile, has proved himself yet again as one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. In spite of his abysmal pass protection over the course of the season, he has led Los Angeles to an 11-5 record through their first 16 games. He has amassed 3,727 passing yards and 28 total touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl nod in the process.
Were he to be traded, he would command a hefty package that would enable a team to re-tool well into the future.
For the Chargers, however, this should not even be a consideration.
Even if they are a first-round exit this season, they have a budding identity under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They have the defensive pieces and the offensive playmakers in place to be extremely competitive over the next couple of seasons.
Moreover, they have the financial capital this offseason to fill in the gaps where it's needed, specifically in their interior offensive line.
Trading away a generational quarterback in his prime would be a massive mistake. That won't stop the Vikings from making the call if it turns out they are on the hunt for a quarterback, however.