Are the Minnesota Vikings all-in on Drake Maye?
That’s what some fans think following Minnesota’s recent hiring of Josh McCown as its new quarterbacks coach. McCown has a prior connection with Maye, who’s considered one of the three best quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Josh McCown’s History With Drake Maye
McCown, who last played in the NFL in 2019, was the Carolina Panthers’ QBs coach in 2023. Before that, he was coaching at the high school level, which is when he worked with Maye.
In 2019, McCown was an assistant coach at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC. And it just so happens that Myers Park’s starting QB that season was Maye, who led the program to a 12-1 record before losing in the third round of the state tournament.
Coincidence? Maybe. But Vikings fans are hoping it’s a sign that Minnesota, which owns the 11th overall pick, will trade up to select Maye.
In 2019, Josh McCown was an assistant Coach at Myers Park High School in Charlotte.
The QB there at the time? Drake Maye. https://t.co/p2eJlALrNo
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 27, 2024
Drake Maye – Josh McCown – Owen McCown
Myers Park High School, 2019 pic.twitter.com/tr33IZXJce
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) February 27, 2024
New #Vikings QB coach Josh McCown chose to start Drake Maye OVER HIS OWN SON as a high school head coach. https://t.co/5LfKtwpRNh pic.twitter.com/sI136IPzOP
— Conner Wickland (@ConnerWickland) February 27, 2024
There have been rumors of the #Vikings trading up into the top 3. At Myers Park High in Charlotte, Josh McCown was an assistant coach for Drake Mayes highschool team. McCown is a BIG fan of Drake Maye. https://t.co/7ZytA8IhS7
— Sky Kruse (@KruseSports_) February 27, 2024
Vikings Reportedly Want To Trade Up in the NFL Draft
Minnesota entered the offseason with uncertainty at quarterback. Franchise leadership insists it wants to re-sign Kirk Cousins, but the 35-year-old is coming off a torn Achilles and might be too expensive.
Perhaps that’s why the Vikings reportedly approached the New England Patriots earlier this month about trading for the No. 3 pick.
“Here’s what I was told: Down in Mobile (at the 2024 Senior Bowl), there was a seed planted with New England by the Vikings,” KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson said last week on the Mackey and Judd podcast.
“Now, I’m not suggesting talks have advanced — it was one of those, ‘Hey, we’ll circle back to you (at the NFL Combine)’ — but that some sort of seed was planted in terms of, ‘Hey, is there even any interest on your front to move off that No. 3 pick?’”
Wolfson added, “I’m not suggesting it’s going to get done. … I’m just saying, I was led to believe that at least some sort of seed was planted in Mobile.”
KEEP READING: Is Kirk Cousins Really Looking for a $90M Guaranteed Contract?
So, there’s reason to believe the Vikings want to move up in the NFL Draft. And the hiring of McCown could be viewed as a sign that Minnesota will target Maye.
But will the Vikings be willing to pay the steep price required to execute such a deal? We’ll just have to wait and see.
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