Former MVP Challenges Murray as Vikings Weigh QB Trade

WHO:

CBS Sports - North Texas head coach Neal Brown said of Tayven Jackson, “He hasn’t had a storybook career. He’s gone through adversity, he’s learned from it, he’s grown from it, I think he’s hardened.”

Pro Football Network - Super Bowl champion Chris Long urged Minnesota to pursue Jets quarterback Geno Smith.

Heavy NFL - Seahawks analyst Rob Staton discussed the possibility of Seattle trading quarterback Sam Darnold to Minnesota.

Heavy NFL - Seattle’s backup quarterback Drew Lock was identified as its starter while Darnold recovers from a quad injury.

Heavy NFL - The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback options named in the articles are Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz; head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley are also mentioned.

Bleacher Report - Prime Video NFL insider James Palmer reported on the Vikings’ potential pursuit of a quarterback.

Heavy NFL - Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky discussed the Vikings’ quarterback situation on ESPN’s *Unsportsmanlike*.

Pro Football Network - Orlovsky named Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as a possible target for Minnesota.

Bleacher Report - The article identifies Justin Jefferson as a Vikings star wide receiver.

WHAT:

CBS Sports - Jackson said schools contacted him in the transfer portal but wanted him as a backup; his uncle, Chris, then contacted Jackson’s father, Ray, and offered to call Brown, who needed a quarterback at North Texas.

CBS Sports - Jackson said he transferred from Tennessee to Indiana in January 2023, after Tennessee’s NIL landscape changed and Nico Iamaleava enrolled. Jackson recalled Iamaleava’s deal was reportedly worth around $8 million.

CBS Sports - At Indiana, Jackson started five games before Brendan Sorsby replaced him after Jackson threw two interceptions against Michigan. Jackson later saw limited playing time after Indiana hired Curt Cignetti and added Kurtis Rourke.

CBS Sports - Jackson said he left Indiana after Fernando Mendoza chose the Hoosiers, then transferred to UCF and started 10 games before UCF told him he no longer had a spot.

CBS Sports - Jackson said he played through an AC shoulder sprain at UCF because other quarterbacks were injured and the team had no other options.

CBS Sports - Jackson said North Texas quarterbacks coach Tyler Allen’s advice to “be in the moment” helped him focus amid the uncertainty of playing college football.

CBS Sports - North Texas returned no starters from the previous season’s 12-win team led by Eric Morris.

Heavy NFL - Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that San Francisco had a trade in place with Minnesota for Jauan Jennings, but Jennings declined the move and stayed in Minnesota rather than return to the 49ers.

Heavy NFL - Staton said Seattle could trade Darnold to Minnesota; the article described the move as a possible return to the Vikings.

Heavy NFL - Seattle had a 4-4 record.

CBS Sports - North Texas quarterback Tayven Jackson had thrown for 2,577 yards and 22 touchdowns, completing 72.3% of his passes; he ranked third nationally in passing yards. North Texas was 6-2 overall and 4-0 in American play, and ranked second nationally in points per game.

CBS Sports - Jackson transferred to North Texas after starting 10 games at UCF, where he recorded 2,151 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 63.5% completion rate. UCF finished 5-7.

CBS Sports - Jackson said, “I was supposed to be here,” describing his move to North Texas. He previously attended Tennessee, Indiana, and UCF.

CBS Sports - Jackson said an AC sprain in his shoulder made throwing painful during his UCF season; he later learned he did not have a spot on the team.

CBS Sports - Jackson threw five touchdown passes against Charlotte, the first time he had done so, including in high school.

Heavy NFL - Murray had thrown five touchdowns during the season; the article said the Vikings needed more from their quarterback position.

Bleacher Report - A quarterback trade was reportedly “on the table” for Minnesota ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline. Palmer said the Vikings “know the market,” and Teasley had been working the phones and exploring trades for multiple positions.

Bleacher Report - Minnesota reportedly “still believe[s]” in Murray, but its performance against the Buffalo Bills could affect whether it pursues a quarterback. Murray was not expected to start that game; Wentz was expected to start instead.

Bleacher Report - Murray’s reported season statistics were a 5-1 record in six starts, 64.9% completion rate, 1,022 passing yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions, and 167 rushing yards.

Bleacher Report - Wentz completed 59.0% of his passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in two appearances.

Bleacher Report - Minnesota was 6-1, tied for the NFL’s best record, and its defense allowed a league-low 13.3 points per game. The article said Jefferson had not been used to the best of his ability.

Heavy NFL - The Vikings’ passing offense ranked 31st in yards per game after seven games.

Heavy NFL - Orlovsky said Minnesota could not waste its Super Bowl window at quarterback; the article cited Jefferson’s frustration after a loss to the Lions.

Pro Football Network - Orlovsky urged the Vikings to consider an “outrageous” move for Prescott, linking the suggestion to the Cowboys’ 3-5 record.

WHERE:

Bleacher Report - The Vikings are based in Minnesota; the article identifies the Bills and Cowboys as their potential opponents and trade-market context, respectively.

WHEN:

Bleacher Report - The article gives the NFL trade deadline as Nov. 10. It says Murray would miss the Monday-night game against Buffalo because of a hamstring injury and was listed as week-to-week.

Bleacher Report - Murray suffered a concussion early in the Vikings’ first game of the season; Wentz replaced him, led the team to a win, and started and won the following game before Murray returned.

WHY:

Bleacher Report - The Vikings were reportedly considering a quarterback move because of the team’s performance and Murray’s injury; Palmer said the Bills game could help determine whether they acted.

Pro Football Network - Orlovsky’s suggested Prescott target was tied to the Cowboys continuing to lose.

Minnesota is exploring quarterback trades as injuries and passing struggles threaten its strong season. Kyler Murray is hurt, leaving Carson Wentz expected to start against Buffalo. Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, and Sam Darnold have emerged as possible targets.