Vikings Interested In RB, TE Trades

First-year general manager Nolan Teasley has been aggressive in calling about trade targets, Amazon Prime’s James Palmer reported during this week’s Thursday Night Football broadcast (video link). Specifically, Minnesota is looking into running back and tight end additions. The team was identified earlier today as a leading candidate to acquire Jonathan Taylor from the Colts.

[Mailbag: Breaking Down Taylor’s Trade Market]

A Taylor trade would certainly offer a substantial boost to the Vikings’ backfield. Minnesota currently sits third in the NFL in time of possession per game. In spite of that, the team only ranks 24th in scoring offense and 29th in yards per game average. Improvements on offense in general but at the running back position in particular could be impactful as the Vikings look to remain among the NFC’s top contenders.

Finances will be a challenge in the event of any major move Teasley attempts to make. The Vikings sit in the bottom half of the NFL in terms of cap space at the moment with roughly $6.31MM available. Any team acquiring Taylor would be responsible for the prorated remainder of his $6.98MM base salary for 2026. The Colts Pro Bowler is under contract through 2028 thanks to his offseason extension.

Minnesota has Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in place at the RB spot as things stand. Both of those veterans are pending free agents, however, so Taylor (or another back who is on the books beyond 2026) would represent a long-term investment on Teasley’s part. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings attempt to execute a restructure or a cost-shedding trade to free up cap space over the coming days.

T.J. Hockenson has produced 237 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 27 catches so far this season. The veteran is set to remain atop the tight end depth chart, but a restructure to his deal resulted in its final year being removed. Hockenson is also on track to become a free agent this spring as a result. At least a modest addition at the TE position could be sensible, especially in the rental market.

Dallas Goedert (Eagles) and David Njoku (Chargers) fit the profile of players on expiring contracts whose teams should be positioned to sell at the deadline, although the latter is currently on injured reserve. If Teasley and Co. aim to make at least one addition, draft capital will not be an issue. Minnesota owns 10 total selections in 2027, including four picks within the first three rounds.