We’ve noted the possibility that receiver Percy Harvin may not be with the Minnesota Vikings next season and now trade speculation is in full swing.
That’s right. The Vikings are thinking about trading their best… make that only receiver.
Why? Like anyone in their right mind, Harvin doesn’t want to be in Minnesota.
He already requested a trade last offseason, reportedly had two verbal altercations with coach Leslie Frazier during the season and went home to Florida to rehab his injured ankle after being placed on injured reserve. That’s where it gets a little murky. There is a report that Harvin left the team because of the latter disagreement with Frazier. The team also put him on injured reserve around the same time.
That suggests a situation similar to the one Titus Young had in Detroit, where the Lions put Young on IR just because he had a shitty attitude. They also released him immediately after the Super Bowl.
Even though Harvin might have the same crappy attitude, he’s too valuable to be released.
Harvin had 62 catches for 677 yards and three TDs in just nine games in 2012. He’s also one of the most dangerous return men in the league.
Of course, attitude problems also lower your trade value.
Do the Green Bay Packers have a shot at Harvin?
Zero. There’s no way the Vikings would trade him to a division rival and Harvin is in the final year of his rookie deal. That means he’s due for a big-money contract extension. The Packers are letting Greg Jennings walk, so they’re clearly in no position to pay someone else’s No. 1 receiver.
The Vikings will probably ask for a first-round pick for Harvin. They’ll probably get a second.
Regardless of the compensation, moving Harvin takes away the only offensive weapon the Vikings have other than Adrian Peterson.
If they don’t nab some playmakers in the draft or acquire a decent receiver via free agency, expect this team to come back to their non-playoff reality in 2013.