There are intriguing rumors surrounding Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards possibly transitioning to the NFL, a notion sparked by Edwards himself. Bovada has released speculative odds on which NFL team he might join, placing the Dallas Cowboys third among the favorites at +2500 should the All-Star decide to trade in his basketball shoes for football cleats.
In an interview with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Edwards expressed his ambition to play in the NFL one day. “If I win a ring in the next three to four years, I’m going to play football,” he stated in the October 22, 2024 feature. He added, “I’m going to come play with you… I’ll be the one doing the hitting, playing strong safety.”
Edwards’ hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons, leads the odds at +1600, followed by the Minnesota Vikings at +2000. The Cowboys are next, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders tied for fourth at +2800.
However, Edwards noted that he wants to win an NBA championship before considering a football career. For context, he is about to start a five-year, $244 million contract with the Timberwolves. Unless he’s looking to play quarterback, he would likely face a significant pay cut to join the NFL.
Edwards’ new deal runs through the 2028-29 season. Jefferson quickly dismissed Edwards’ NFL aspirations, saying, “Y’all got some athletic guys, but when you put on those shoulder pads and helmet, you’ll get hit and think, ‘Oh no, this isn’t for me—back to basketball.’”
The odds for Edwards to play in the NFL seem a bit out of the blue. He grew up in Atlanta and played college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs, which explains the Falcons’ top position. His current location in Minnesota makes the Vikings connection logical, while the Cowboys’ potential interest may stem from owner Jerry Jones’ penchant for publicity stunts—Dallas previously offered an NFL contract to NBA superstar LeBron James.
Could Edwards follow in Deion Sanders’ footsteps and play both sports? Balancing NBA and NFL commitments would be challenging, as the NBA season starts at the end of October, coinciding with the NFL regular season, which runs through early January, and potential playoff appearances extending into February.
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