Jaguars Paid Minnesota Vikings to Take Cam Robinson. Here’s Why…

The Minnesota Vikings swung a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for left tackle Cam Robinson earlier this week. At the time, it was seen as a semi-desperate attempt to keep their offensive line from falling apart after LT Christian Darrisaw went down for the season with an ACL/MCL tear.

Cam is a good, not great 29-year-old offensive tackle, who pretty consistently gotten better, as his career has gone on, according to PFF. In fact, the Vikings reportedly plan to start Robinson on Sunday vs the Indianapolis Colts, just days after he landed at MSP.

Normally, starting caliber offensive tackles do not come cheap in the NFL. But in the Vikings’ case, it wasn’t expensive either. All Minnesota had to commit in draft capital was on conditional 5th round pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars paid Minnesota Vikings to take Cam Robinson

Even crazier was how much the Jaguars paid to get the deal done. Jacksonville ate $7 million of Robinson’s remaining base salary this season. Per Field Yates (ESPN), the Vikings will pay Cam $2 million in base salary + $58,824 for each game he’s active.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: More Bad News on Blake Cashman

So why did Jacksonville pay the Minnesota vikings to take their former Alabama big man? Well, reports are coming out on Thursday that shedding more light on the situation. Apparently, things were not good behind the scenes for the Jaguars.

Cam Robinson suffered a concussion in Jacksonville’s week 7 game, and he was not cleared to play until Saturday. But even after being ruled ready by independent doctors, Cam was notified by Jacksonville coaches that he wouldn’t get the start anyway. And according to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) that news did not go over very well.

“You talk to people down in Jacksonville, I don’t think [Cam Robinson] handled the situation last Sunday particularly well. Cleared, then doesn’t play, told he’s not starting and didn’t handle that real well. So he is absolutely itching to get in there. I think he would like to get some action before the game back in Jacksonville the following Sunday. So yes, I will be surprised if we don’t see Cam Robinson out there a good amount.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show

Robinson not happy with Jaguars

But according to another report from Mike Dempsey (SB Nation), Robinson wasn’t just upset on Saturday, when informed that he wouldn’t be starting. He straight up refused to play vs the Green Bay Packers. The Jacksonville Jaguars have their preferred left tackle in 25-year-old Walker Little.

Least shocking thing ever after I was told by multiple people that Cam refused to play vs the Packers after being told he would not be starting. https://t.co/oufEZQkehc

— Mike Dempsey (@md_1010xl) October 29, 2024

Related: Ed Ingram’s Poor Play Pushed Vikings to Trade for Left Tackle?

Thus, with Cam as a threat to cause problems behind the scenes in Jacksonville, the Jags wanted him out ASAP. So, they pretty much paid the Minnesota Vikings to take him. Robinson will be a free agent after this season, and he is the obvious starter here, for the rest of the season.

I expect zero problems off the field, with his new team. On the field… we’ll see how Sam Darnold’s new blindside protector can hold up. Sounds like we will find out on Sunday night, just days after the Vikings traded for Robinson.