Rick Spielman believes that the Minnesota Vikings are willing to pay more than expected to acquire J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings have acquired an additional first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 draft, indicating a clear intention to move up from their current position at No. 11. Former Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman believes they are prepared to pay a high price to do so.

In a recent appearance on a CBS Sports podcast, Spielman suggested that the Vikings might need to trade picks 11 and 23, along with their 2025 first-round pick, and potentially more, to secure former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Spielman emphasized that the Vikings are in a position where such a move might be necessary, especially since they did not extend Kirk Cousins’ contract, signaling their intent to address their quarterback situation with a high draft pick.

While the Vikings could consider Sam Darnold for a year, their focus seems to be on finding a potential franchise quarterback in this draft. The crucial question is how high they are willing to trade up and which quarterback they are targeting.

The Vikings are likely to keep their plans confidential until draft day to maintain leverage and ensure they can secure their desired player. Furthermore, whoever they select will benefit from the coaching expertise of Kevin O’Connell, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks.

This advantage may not be available to other quarterbacks in the draft class, depending on where they are selected and who coaches them.