The NFL trade market has not been silent, and Monday served as further proof that swaps are alive and well.

Chiefs-Patriots Trade Could Be Good News for Vikings

New England Patriots pass rusher Josh Uche is on the way to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, a depth move to better position Kansas City for the first Super Bowl three-peat in NFL history.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “Another Chiefs trade: Kansas City is acquiring LB Josh Uche from the Patriots, per sources. Uche is the Patriots 2020 second-round pick from Michigan who now will go from New England to Kansas City.”

And this move could relate to the Minnesota Vikings — if the team’s brass decides to trade a pass rusher within the next eight days. Yes, this is code for outside linebacker Patrick Jones II. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted about the deal’s compensation: “It’s a 6th rounder in 2026 going to the Patriots.”

Jones II is playing out the final year of his contract, and in 2023, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded offensive guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 6th-Round pick. The young executive already has a documented example of trading a player who he didn’t draft in Ezra Cleveland, so, in theory, Jones II could be the next.

It’s also worth noting, on the other hand, if the Vikings become buyers, New England may not be done selling assets. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini added about the Uche trade, “It’s known around the league that the Patriots will continue to listen to offers on other players before the NFL trade deadline next week.”

Why would the Vikings trade Jones II? The reasons are simple and twofold. First, Minnesota has rookie EDGE rusher Dallas Turner waiting in the wings to ascend the depth chart and fill a starter’s role. Turner played substantially in Week 1 against the New York Giants but then encountered an injury in Week 2. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hasn’t been shy recently about mentioning Turner’s workload. Soon, Turner will receive more defensive snaps, and someone will be the odd man out — probably Jones II.

Secondly, the Vikings are skimpy on 2025 draft capital. They traded the non-1st-Round version of the farm for — you guessed it — Dallas Turner. Every little bit helps when recouping draft capital, and if Minnesota would swipe a 2025 or 2026 5th- or 6th-Rounder for Jones II, few could complain.

Otherwise, Jones II is scheduled to hit open free agency in 4.5 months.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.