October 30: As anticipated, the Jaguars are covering a large portion of Cam Robinson’s remaining 2024 salary, paying just over $7 million, per Field Yates of ESPN.
This leaves the Vikings responsible for around $2 million of Robinson’s salary, plus $59,000 per game in roster bonuses.
October 29: For the second year in a row, the Jaguars and Vikings have agreed to a trade involving an offensive lineman at the trade deadline, with Cam Robinson set to take over for Christian Darrisaw.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that the Vikings are acquiring Robinson from Jacksonville in exchange for unspecified draft compensation.
This deal follows last year’s trade in which the Jaguars received Ezra Cleveland from the Vikings. The terms are as follows:
Vikings receive:
Cam Robinson
Conditional 2026 seventh-round pick
Jaguars receive:
Conditional 2026 fifth-round pick
The Jaguars’ fifth-round pick in 2026 can escalate to a fourth-rounder based on Robinson’s playing time, as reported by Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the Vikings’ conditional seventh-round pick may be removed from the trade if Robinson doesn’t meet playing time conditions.
This trade concludes Robinson’s eight-season tenure in Jacksonville. A former second-round pick, Robinson is in a contract year and is ineligible for a franchise tag, as he has already been tagged twice.
This deal effectively makes Robinson a short-term option, with Darrisaw expected to return to his position in 2025. In the meantime, the 5-2 Vikings will count on Robinson to protect Sam Darnold’s blind side.
It’s rare for a starting left tackle to be available at the trade deadline. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson initially downplayed further trades after sending Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seahawks.
However, with Jacksonville now at 2-6 and Christian Kirk sidelined for the season, the team decided to part with Robinson.
The Jaguars also have left tackle insurance in Walker Little, who is in a contract year as well.
This move reflects the Vikings’ confidence in their playoff chances, even after back-to-back losses.
The team recently extended Darrisaw on a four-year, $104 million deal, securing him for the long term.
However, due to an unspecified knee injury requiring season-ending surgery, Darrisaw won’t return to the lineup until next season.
With the trade deadline looming, the Vikings seized the opportunity to bring in Robinson as cover.
Robinson, 29, has been the Jaguars’ starting left tackle since his rookie season. He’s playing under a three-year, $52.75 million extension, which was agreed upon after his second franchise tag.
The contract remains untouched, leaving Robinson’s 2024 base salary at $16.25 million.
While about $9 million remains on Robinson’s deal, the Jaguars are expected to absorb a portion of the cost, as the Vikings had $9.5 million in cap space before the trade.
Robinson has started 91 career games, including seven of Jacksonville’s eight this season.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Alabama alum ranks 32nd among tackles this season, while Darrisaw held the 10th spot prior to his injury.
Robinson, though not a Pro Bowler and not quite on Darrisaw’s level, has performed well enough to earn two franchise tags and a high-tier extension.
However, Darrisaw’s new deal pushed Robinson further down the pay scale among left tackles, where he entered the season as the NFL’s 10th-highest-paid LT.
The Jaguars have now parted ways with both Robinson and four-year right tackle starter Jawaan Taylor within two seasons.
In 2023, they chose to tag Evan Engram over Taylor, who then signed a substantial deal with the Chiefs, though his performance has been mixed.
The Jaguars drafted Anton Harrison in the first round in 2023 to play at right tackle.
Now in a seller’s position, Jacksonville will likely focus on Little, a former second-round pick from the Urban Meyer era, who has started 18 games (mostly filling in for Robinson).
Little has a chance to boost his free agency value in the season’s second half.
Robinson’s recent history includes a meniscus tear that sidelined him during the Jaguars’ 2022 divisional-round run, along with a four-game PED suspension last summer.
Last season, he also sustained another knee injury that landed him on IR for a time. While his injury record does pose a risk for the Vikings, quality left tackles are scarce on the trade market, and Minnesota is willing to bet on Robinson’s durability.
Last year, the Jaguars acquired Cleveland for a sixth-round pick at the trade deadline, then re-signed him before free agency.
Robinson, however, is likely to reach free agency for the first time. If he adapts well to the Vikings’ scheme, he could be a top option on the 2025 free-agent market.
For now, Robinson’s focus will be on helping the Vikings compete in a tightly contested NFC North.
