Minnesota Vikings Trade for Christian Darrisaw’s Replacement

When Christian Darrisaw went down with a season-ending ACL injury in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 7 loss, it created a bit of external panic among the fanbase. Darrisaw is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, and the Vikings didn’t have an obvious replacement ready to go.

This spurred 34-year-old vet David Quessenberry into action at left tackle, but he earned a very poor 48.9 pass block grade in the Rams loss. Darrisaw’s absence sparked a spitfire of rumors, with fans wondering where GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would turn next.

The Vikings did add another offensive tackle to the practice squad earlier on Tuesday, but he’s not the solution Kevin O’Connell was looking for. However, a more stable replacement has just arrived via trade.

Related: New J.J. McCarthy Injury Update Gives Insight into Vikings Plan, His Progress

Minnesota Vikings trade for left tackle Cam Robinson

It turns out, Blake Brandel won’t be moving to left tackle to replace Christian Darrisaw after all. Instead, the Minnesota Vikings are turning to the trade block to solve their sudden need for a new blindside protector.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Vikings have traded for left tackle Cam Robinson. In doing so, the Vikings are sending the Jacksonville Jaguars a 2026 fifth-round pick that can upgrade to a fourth-rounder, depending on snaps played. The Vikings are also getting a 2026 seventh-round pick in return, but that selection could dissipate if Robinson plays an unknown (to us) number of snaps.

Rarely does a starting LT quality player become available mid-season. But that’s the case with Cam Robinson.

91 starts. Franchise tagged player. An impressive answer from the #Vikings. https://t.co/QrC72XloBC

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2024

• Cam Robinson stats: 91 NFL starts at left tackle – Four sacks allowed, 15 pressures allowed in 2024
• Cam Robinson PFF grades – 35th-best tackle, 43rd pass-block grade, 52nd run-block grade

Robinson has a hefty $16M salary this season, so it’s possible the Jaguars have agreed to ‘eat’ part of his payments to help facilitate a trade. Doing so typically means the Vikings would increase their trade offer to compensate for the Jaguars being willing to foot the bill.

He’ll be a free agent next year, which could net the Vikings a compensatory pick when he inevitably signs elsewhere due to Darrisaw’s expected return in 2025. Yet, for now, he’s expected to immediately take over as the starting left tackle for Sunday night’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Star Wide Receiver Done for Season