In the wake of a contract agreement last Friday that ended the 98-day holdout of Minnesota Vikings first-round draft choice Bryant McKinnie, there were reports the team might yet trade the former University of Miami offensive tackle at the end of this season.

There are two reasons, though, why such suggestions can now be viewed as preposterous. In less than a week of practice, McKinnie has been impressive enough that coach Mike Tice is toying with the idea of starting the rookie in the game Sunday against the New York Giants. And ESPN.com has learned that McKinnie's contract includes a "limited no-trade" clause that would allow him to block a trade to some teams.

According to NFL Players Association documents, the "no trade" stipulation is in place for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The trading deadline for this year passed last month.

The contract, negotiated by Ben Dogra and Jim Steiner, pays McKinnie a base salary of $750,000 for this season. There also is a $250,000 bonus if McKinnie participates in 35 percent of the snaps this season or 45 percent in a subsequent campaign.

While the contract technically does not include a signing bonus, there are two guaranteed option/buyout payments, of $5 million in the spring of 2003 and of $4.35 million in the spring of 2004.

The base salaries in ensuing seasons are $600,000 each for 2003 and 2004, $700,000 for 2005 and $900,000 for 2006. There are workout bonuses of $100,000 each for 2003-2006 along with additional incentives. Two option years, in 2007-2008, are "voidable" based on McKinnie simply reaching minimum playing time benchmarks.

The seventh overall choice in the draft, McKinnie will begin to accumulate playing time Sunday, when he is expected to play between 20 and 25 snaps. There is, however, an outside chance the 350-pound left tackle could start, given his impressive performances in practices this week.

"I'm trying to make up for lost time and I think I'm gaining ground," said McKinnie. "It's like cramming for a final (exam), but I've done that before."

As it has been most of the season, the Minnesota offensive line is ravaged by injury, and Tice will again be forced to juggle his starters. It is expected that versatile Everett Lindsay, who is splitting time with McKinnie in practices, will start at left tackle. But Tice has left open the possibility that McKinnie, who acknowledged he could probably play 40 to 45 snaps if necessary, could get the nod with the first unit.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.