The Vikings have a tendency to be quiet when the trade deadline comes around. However, they have traded a defensive end for the second consecutive season.
Confirmed by multiple sources, the Vikings traded DE Stephen Weatherly and a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a 2022 seventh-round pick.
According to the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, Weatherly had been looking for a fresh start after seeing his playing time dwindle over the last few weeks. The emergence of Everson Griffen — along with Weatherly’s lack of effectiveness — both contributed to his playing time shrinking.
Per Pro Football Focus, Weatherly has logged a total of 15 snaps over the last two weeks with zero pressures. He only has five pressures on the season, with all of them coming against the Arizona Cardinals in week two.
Heading to Denver, Weatherly looks to get immediate playing time and add some much-needed depth with Von Miller having sprained his ankle on Thursday night against the Browns.
In this deal, the Vikings save just under $1 million against the salary cap of his 1.5 million dollar salary.