In an attempt to patch their injury-riddled offensive line, the Minnesota Vikings traded with the Jacksonville Jaguars for left tackle Cam Robinson this week, hoping the veteran can bring stability to an O-line that just lost star tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending ACL and MCL tear. Robinson, 29, arrives in Minnesota with a reputation for solid, if unspectacular, performance and a steady improvement trajectory according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading.
Robinson has shown steady gains across his NFL career. Through 367 snaps this season, he’s earned an overall PFF grade of 69.4, with a pass-blocking grade of 72.2, making him a potentially solid replacement to protect Sam Darnold’s blind side. However, Minnesota will need Robinson to adapt quickly; reports indicate he’s slated to start this Sunday against the Colts, just days after landing in Minnesota.
The Price Tag: Vikings Benefit from Jacksonville’s Deal Sweetener
Acquiring a starting-caliber left tackle midseason is rarely cheap, yet the Vikings only had to part with a conditional fifth-round draft pick for Robinson. Jacksonville even agreed to cover $7 million of his remaining base salary, leaving the Vikings with only a $2 million commitment plus $58,824 for each game Robinson suits up.
Why would the Jaguars help bankroll a former starter’s salary on another team? Reports indicate internal issues drove Jacksonville to expedite Robinson’s exit. After suffering a concussion in Week 7, Robinson was cleared by independent doctors to play but was informed he wouldn’t be starting—a decision that reportedly did not sit well with him. According to ESPN’s Darren “Doogie” Wolfson, Robinson wasn’t pleased and, according to SB Nation’s Mike Dempsey, even refused to play in a subsequent game against Green Bay.
Robinson’s Fresh Start and the Vikings’ Expectations
Robinson’s arrival in Minnesota marks a fresh start, and reports suggest he’s eager to prove his worth in purple and gold. He enters the Vikings’ lineup as the undisputed starter for the remainder of the season, providing much-needed experience and consistency to a banged-up offensive front. The hope is that his familiarity with high-pressure situations can translate into reliable protection for Darnold and bolster the Vikings’ offensive scheme.
The Vikings are betting that Robinson’s issues in Jacksonville won’t follow him to Minnesota, and the team needs his contributions immediately. Sunday night’s matchup with the Colts will be the first chance to see how Robinson handles his new role in a crucial game under the prime-time spotlight. Fans will be watching closely to see if this acquisition shores up a line in desperate need of stability and gives the offense the edge it needs to push through the rest of the season.
