Report: Patriots, Vikings checked on Herbert before draft

The New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings asked the Los Angeles Chargers about trading for star quarterback Justin Herbert in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Chargers, though, never entertained the discussions, according to Schefter.

The Patriots and Vikings entered the predraft process without an established starter at quarterback. New England moved on from Mac Jones early in the offseason, while Minnesota lost Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Herbert is coming off his fourth season with Los Angeles. He's widely been viewed as one of the league's top young quarterbacks since coming out of Oregon in 2020. Despite his impressive numbers, the Chargers have made the playoffs just once with Herbert.

The Chargers have also undergone major organizational change since handing Herbert a five-year, $262.5-million extension last summer, bringing in Joe Hortiz as general manager and Jim Harbaugh as head coach.

Harbaugh won a national championship at Michigan last season with J.J. McCarthy, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class. Harbaugh called McCarthy "the best quarterback in this class" in March, according to CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr.

The Patriots wound up using the No. 3 pick in the draft on North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Minnesota later traded up to select McCarthy with the 10th choice.

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