Related: Vikings Want Kirk Cousins’ Future Decided this Month; Danielle Hunter Talks on Hold

But now, the Vikings’ Pro Bowl QB is set for unrestricted free agency, and while both sides would like to find common ground on an extension, anything could happen between now and the 2024 NFL Draft. And there’s one player in the NFL Draft pool who the Vikings’ front office may be growing infatuated with, according to one NFL insider.

Minnesota Vikings Growing Infatuated With LSU’s Jayden Daniels?

ESPN’s Dan Graziano has been down in Las Vegas preparing for Super Bowl Sunday. During his time circulating with fellow NFL insiders, team officials and other football minds, Graziano picked up a few golden nuggets relating to the Minnesota Vikings.

One of his insider notes from Saturday said the Vikings are a team to watch in a trade-up scenario. The NFL insider even names their likely QB target, if they can pull off a blockbuster trade up the draft board with, let’s say, the Patriots at pick 3.

According to Graziano’s report, pairing Justin Jefferson with another LSU alum, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, “has appeal to some in the organization”.

“The Patriots also need a quarterback, but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft and addressing the quarterback position in free agency. If the Pats do trade that pick — which could be Daniels or Maye — the two teams I’d keep an eye on are the Falcons (moving from the No. 8 spot) and the Vikings (moving from the No. 11 spot, assuming they don’t bring back Cousins). Minnesota knows it eventually has to address the quarterback position long term, and the notion of bringing in Daniels to pair with their star LSU alum wideout Justin Jefferson has appeal to some in the organization.”

ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Minnesota Vikings’ interest in Jayden Daniels

Many anticipate that Daniels could go No. 3 overall to the QB-needy New England Patriots, but with how unpredictable the NFL is, it’s possible we see Bill Belichick’s former team trade down too. If so, the Vikings, who have been willing to make a major move up the draft board in the past, could make a behemoth offer for the third overall pick too.

While Jefferson and Daniels never crossed paths at LSU, players from the same alma mater often seek out opportunities to team up in the pros too. If the Patriots are willing to play ball, we could see the Vikings take that approach with the face of their franchise, in hopes of adding another impact playmaker next to Jefferson on the team’s current Mount Rushmore.

But after a records request at the school was fulfilled later in the afternoon, we’re finding that not to be the case at all. The request was filed by LSU’s beat reporter for The Athletic, Brody Miller. The term sheet he was granted shows a much smaller salary for Wes Johnson, than the $750K first reported.

Instead, Johnson will make near the same money ($380K/yr + incentives) with his new collegiate employer, as what he was making with the Twins.

Term sheet for new #LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson says he signed a three-year deal paying him $380K per year, plus postseason incentives.

Sources told @DanHayesMLB he was making about $400K with the Twins. pic.twitter.com/120i0hm97C

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) June 27, 2022

So now that we have more detail, this makes the midseason move even more fascinating for Wes Johnson leaving an MLB team for #LSU.

He is taking near similar money, if not less https://t.co/pX7dKdXK7V

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) June 27, 2022

Wes Johnson Wanted Out, But Why?

It’s clear that Wes Johnson was motivated to leave the Minnesota Twins. It’s just not clear as to why, or what made him jump ship mid-voyage. A huge bump in salary, for a job that wouldn’t have been available in October, made sense.

That doesn’t appear to be what happened, though. Sure, Johnson has family in the south and life as a pitching coach in the NCAA may be less-taxing too. But timing matters. And the profound confusion, surrounding his departure and new salary, makes it all the more brow-raising.

Still, questions about how much Wes is getting paid with LSU could go down in history as a mystery because even at The Athletic, where all of this reporting is taking place, they have no idea how much he’s really making.

Wes Johnson’s base LSU salary is $380,000 as reported by @BrodyAMiller.

Multiple industry sources said total compensatory package potentially in neighborhood of $750,000.

He made $400,000 w/ #MNTwins this season.

When asked about package, Johnson: “I can’t comment on that.”

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 27, 2022

"My family is above the game of baseball … The Twins are a great organization this place is awesome. It purely comes down to my family."

Wes Johnson and others speak about his move to LSU pic.twitter.com/SDuwpnDAB2

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) June 27, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan