After trade for Cam Akers, Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell leaves the door open for another major acquisition ahead of the trade deadline

Kevin O'Connell keeps a big trade on the table

In his first press conference after the trade for Akers, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked if another trade could be in the card to improve the football team. While he exuded confidence in the team, O'Connell did nothing to calm the outside chatter.

"Oh, you know, I think where we're at right now as a team, we're just focused on the guys we have, and we're really excited about our roster, but I'm sure, you know, as we move forward here, Kwesi and his group will be evaluating any and all options that work from a standpoint of continuing to build this team, but at the same time, you know, we feel a really good depth. That was one of the reasons why we made the move for Cam just to continue to solidify an important part of our team for the next 12 games and beyond. And if there's an opportunity to do that in another position, or an opportunity to add an impact player, you just have to work through all of those as a group figure out what works best."

O'Connell leaving the door open like that is important. The Vikings like to keep things fluid because circumstances change and when the market does, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can pounce on a potential trade target.

This team doesn't need to make a move unless it's for a player that will help them long-term. That's what they did by acquiring Hockenson at the trade deadline in 2022. That would mean someone like Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants or Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans would make a major impact now and down the line.

They also would have the salary cap flexibility to bring in a high-priced player with a big trade. It would cost them the 2025 NFL Draft to do so, but if it nets them a potential Super Bowl either this year or down the line, that's well worth the price.

Don't count out the Vikings when it comes to making a big trade at the deadline, especially with a former Wall Street trader as the general manager.