Minnesota Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf couldn’t stop smiling when NFL Network’s Steve Wyche asked him if he’s “pushing” the front office to make a move for a quarterback in the NFL Draft, and he added in the caveat that “we know you signed Sam Darnold.”
Wilf’s response has gotten quite a bit of attention.
“Well, we love Sam Darnold but when it comes to the quarterback position it’s certainly critical,” Wilf said. “[General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah] and [head coach Kevin O’Connell] are working hard. We’ve got a plan and Sam Darnold’s part of it and we’re excited he’s in the building and we’re excited we have two first-round picks. We’ll see where it all goes. We have a lot of flexibility and we’ll see what happens.”
Nobody knows what was going through Wilf’s mind when he answered the question, but his smile and comment about “Well, we love Sam Darnold but…” is hard to ignore.
Minnesota is armed with two first-round picks – Nos. 11 and 23 – and could make a move up to take a quarterback they think could be a franchise leader for years to come. Are they targeting Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy? That’s the million-dollar question.
Meanwhile, Wilf says contract talks with wide receiver Justin Jefferson are ongoing.
“We had great positive conversations last season, and we’re looking forward to more positive conversations this offseason,” Wilf said. “Justin Jefferson is a unique talent. Best in the game, and we’re excited he’s a Minnesota Viking. And not only is he a great player, he’s become a great leader of our locker room, and he’s great in the community, so the thrills he gives the fans on the field and just the way he carries himself, we’re looking forward to some real positive conversations.”
When asked by Tom Pelissero if he would consider trading Jefferson if it didn’t look like a deal would materialize and another team offered something like three first-round picks, Wilf didn’t bite.
“Again, right now, we’re focused on getting that guy on our field with the purple, and he looks great in purple,” Wilf said. “We’re going to do our best to keep it that way.”
