Percy Harvin Has Every Right To Want A Trade

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Percy Harvin has made it known that he wants out of Minnesota, and the only question is whether or not the Vikings will grant his trade request. While that seems unlikely, Harvin has every right to request a trade from the Vikings given his current situation.

Not only is one of the game’s more dangerous playmakers set to make just under $2.5 million in each of the next two seasons, but Percy Harvin is also being heavily under-used by the Minnesota Vikings. He only took part in 58% of the team’s snaps last season, which is far too low for a valuable player who is the team’s second best offensive weapon behind running back Adrian Peterson.

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has said that Harvin will get an increased role with the team next season, and it’s about time. However, it might be too little and too late at this point. In order to keep Harvin happy, the team might even have to give him a new deal along with the obvious decision to give him more snaps. Even if this saga wasn’t going on, it would still be wise for the Vikings to increase their playmaker’s role in a truly subpar offense.

It will be interesting to see which teams send trade offers for Percy Harvin and what they give for him. Trades rarely ever end up fairly for the team giving up the star player, and that’s a problem the Vikings will most likely see. But if they get a good offer, I don’t see how Harvin stays. If they get low-balled, Harvin is definitely staying. It isn’t like Harvin is definitely going to go, but he doesn’t seem like the type of player to request a trade over something little. This trade request is the compounding of him being underpaid and undervalued on a team that he should be flourishing with.

One of the teams mentioned as a potential landing spot for Percy Harvin is the Jacksonville Jaguars, and this would be a dream acquisition for the team. The Jags would love to have a playmaker to compliment Maurice Jones-Drew, and even the drafting of Oklahoma State standout Justin Blackmon wasn’t enough to solidify a receiving core that was the league’s worst last season.

If I were Percy Harvin, I would definitely request a trade and make my unhappiness with the team public. Even if I- still keeping up the “in your shoes” thing- don’t get trade, the team and public know that I feel under-appreciated. In the end, Harvin (mercifully stopped the first-person comparison) will get a bigger role and maybe even more money because of this. The Vikings aren’t in a position of leverage at this point, as long as Harvin is serious about all of this and holdsout in training camp. It seems like he is, so the Vikings are not at a point of strength in this.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

To stay up to date on the latest from NFL Spin Zone, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. 

Update: As suspected, Kevin Spielman said that the Vikings have no intention of trading Percy Harvin.