Even with the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals underway, the NFL maintains its grip on the news cycle.

It just comes with the territory. The Vikings introduced new General Manager Nolan Teasley this week, the Browns traded generational pass-rush talent Myles Garrett to the perennially contending Rams, and reigning AFC Champion New England landed six-time 1,000-yard wideout A.J. Brown from Philadelphia.

We're only a few days into June — 97 from the start of the regular season (yes, we're counting) — and the league seems to be moving at 100 miles per hour. It may slow down at times, but it never really stops.

On Wednesday, we shared takeaways from Teasley's initial press conference and highlighted his special opportunity. Now let's pivot to the other major happenings around the league, which could still have indirect impact on Minnesota.

Let's begin with Brown, who hurt the Vikings to the tune of four catches for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the dagger in the final few minutes, in Week 7 last year. Brown is reuniting with Head Coach Mike Vrabel, who helped draft him in Tennessee in 2019. That alone is notable, and so is third-year QB and MVP runner-up Drake Maye getting an "alpha" WR1 after Stefon Diggs became a free agent. Brown was half of an elite duo with DeVonta Smith in Philly; he's coupled with Romeo Doubs now.

Doubs, of course, is a free-agent addition from the Packers. He totaled 202 catches for 2,424 yards and 21 touchdowns over his first four campaigns, including 27 for 223 and one in seven games vs. Minnesota.

Since the Vikings face the Pats on Thursday Night Football in Week 14 this season, it's timely to wonder how much the trade for Brown improved the top of New England's receiving corps. Is it a Top 5 tandem?

Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated assessed the move and ranked Brown and Doubs as the sixth-best WR duo. Quickly, we figured to read about Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the Top 5. That's not the case. Kadlick sees it differently, so we'll mention his pecking order below and then argue for the Vikings.

Atop his list, Kadlick touted Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They're dynamite. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens of the Cowboys are next. They're electric. At No. 3, Kadlick slotted Puka Nacua and Davante Adams of the Rams. That blend of run-after-the-catch and red-zone finesse is elite. Denver's new duo of Courtland Sutton and former Dolphins speedster Jaylen Waddle are fourth. There's definitely promise there. And D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman, Jr., previously on the Colts, are the 1-2 punch in Pittsburgh and fifth in Kadlick's hierarchy. They check the size and potential-to-dominate boxes, for sure.

It's difficult to knock Kadlick's ranking entirely since those players are proven solid by their production. However, it's an omission not to include Jefferson and Addison, who've combined for 6,051 yards since 2023.

Jefferson's feats are universally known. His statistical pace is unprecedented. His route-running is unmatched and his competitiveness is rare. Addison had a quieter 2025 after tallying 20 touchdowns in his first 32 career games, but his ball-tracking, hands and separation abilities are among the NFL's best.

With more consistent QB play in 2026, they're likely to force Kadlick to redo his list.

Additionally, we may as well hint at Minnesota's new "Big 3" of Jets, J.A. and Jauan Jennings.

There is widespread belief that they are the best wide receiver trio in the league.

Epic trades for defenders

The swap between Cleveland and Los Angeles that sent Garrett to Hollywood in exchange for 2024 first-round pick Jared Verse and a first-, second- and third-round draft pick in consecutive years starting in 2027, broke the internet. Understandably. Garrett is a Canton-bound quarterback assailant that clinched Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 after producing a single-season NFL record 23 sacks.

Verse ain't a slouch, though. In fact, he's terrific in his own right — not to mention 5 years younger than Garrett and presumably still ascending to full form. In Years 1-2, he totaled 12 sacks, 22 tackles for a loss and 45 quarterback hits. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl player in both seasons.

It's easily one of the biggest trades for a defender in recent NFL history. What are the others, you ask?

In timely fashion, The Athletic's Saad Yousuf revisited the Top 10 trades for a defensive player since 2000.

Going in chronological order, Yousuf right away dissected a deal done by Minnesota in 2008 with the Chiefs that brought sack artist Jared Allen (and a sixth-round pick) to the Twin Cities for a first, two thirds and a sixth. Allen was hot off an NFL-high 15.5 sacks in 2007. He had 14.5 in each of his first two seasons in purple, and he yielded one of the all-time great seasons for a pass rusher with 22 takedowns in 2011.

Yousuf designated it a good trade for both sides as Kansas City turned their acquired picks into draft cards for Pro Bowl OL Branden Albert and another for breakaway-threat running back Jamaal Charles, and Minnesota snapped a three-year playoff drought upon Allen's arrival and then advanced to the NFC Championship Game in his second season. Allen received his well-deserved Gold Jacket one year ago.

Click here to recall nine more monumental trades for a defensive player that occurred this century.

See the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.