Vikings Had to Talk Vet They Just Traded Into Leaving Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings have made some surprising moves ahead of roster cutdown day. One that nobody saw coming was the deal that sent Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets. The Vikings traded the veteran defensive tackle along with a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for sixth-round picks in 2026 and 2027, but it also sent away one of their leaders in the locker room.

Minnesota should be fine with free agent additions Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, along with a young core including Jalen Redmond. Yet it’s still understandable that Phillips had his reservations about going to the Jets and had to be talked into it by Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Harrison Phillips Had Second Thoughts After Being Traded to the Jets

Phillips was introduced to the New York media on Monday and admitted he was surprised that the Vikings traded him last week. According to The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, O’Connell told Phillips “all about why he should be excited” about joining the Jets and hyped up the talent they have on the defensive side of the ball.

“You know, actually, Kevin O’Connell, when he told me I was being traded, kind of talked up what’s happening here and gave me a little bit better understanding,” Phillips said via Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press. “...I understand that it’s a business and understand the opportunity that I have here. I think all of you guys know the arrow is pointing up here. And so I’m just really hopeful that I can come in and make sure that the arrow continues to point up and do whatever I can to play that part as well.”

Phillips may be right to be gunshy about joining the Jets. The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 season and are poised to be Super Bowl contenders this season while the Jets were 5-12 in 2024 and projected to finish in the bottom half of the AFC East standings. 

But New York is also entering the first year under head coach Aaron Glenn and has some dynamic talent on the defensive side of the ball including cornerback Sauce Gardner, edge rushers Jermain Johnson and Will McDonald IV and fellow interior defender Quinnen Williams.

While Phillips may be disappointed to leave Minnesota, he could be one of the veterans that helps Glenn establish his culture in the same way he helped O’Connell upon his arrival in 2022. That could pay off for both sides and help each team get to where they want to go in 2025.