The Vikings may be sitting alone at 6-0, but that hasn’t stopped the questions about where this roster still needs help.
Minnesota moved to the league’s last unbeaten mark after a chaotic Week 7 Sunday that knocked both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the perfect. Even with that spotless record, the Vikings haven’t looked complete, and the issues have shown up mostly on offense. Brian Flores’ defense has been one of the best units in the NFL so far, while the offense has been uneven in its first season with Kyler Murray at the helm.
That tension has pushed the trade deadline into focus. With Nov. 10 still ahead, the Vikings have time to decide whether they want to buy, but one insider already sees the outline of a move.
After Minnesota’s ugly 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic suggested the team could look to add at running back, guard or even defensive tackle.
“Perhaps a trade for a running back or guard would help the situation,” Lewis wrote. “Those two positions are worth eyeing over the next two weeks, as is defensive tackle. Redmond, Rodriguez and Ty Ingram-Dawkins have played well above the value of their contracts, but the Vikings could also benefit from more accomplished depth alongside rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.”
The running back spot stands out first. It has been a problem all season, and the situation got even thinner when Jordan Mason missed the early part of the year with an injury and Aaron Jones left the Colts game hurt as well.
If Minnesota does go shopping for help there, a few familiar names could be in the mix. Jonathan Taylor of the Colts, Saquon Barkley of the Eagles and Tony Pollard of the Titans are three backs who could be available in the coming weeks.
The Vikings could also choose to add help on the offensive line before the deadline passes. For now, they still have a few games left to sort out exactly what this roster needs most before Tuesday, Nov. 10 arrives.
In Other News...
Kyle Van Noy Is Making This A Tough Vikings Decision
Kyle Van Noy has turned a short-term Vikings signing into one of the more interesting roster conversations of the season. Brought in on a one-year deal, the veteran has given Minnesota useful snaps as both a pass rusher and run defender, and his strong play has shown up in the grading as well, with Pro Football Focus giving him high marks for what he has brought to the defense.
Even in a limited role, he has made his presence felt enough to complicate the team's plans for 2027. At about 32 percent of the defensive snaps, Van Noy has done enough to make a case that he should not be treated like a stopgap, and Minnesota now has a decision to make about whether it wants that kind of production around beyond this season. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Undefeated Start Is Hiding A Bigger Offensive Concern
Minnesotas unbeaten start has been built more on the parts of the roster that travel well in January than on any sense that the offense is fully in rhythm. The special teams and defense have carried plenty of the load, and Harrison Smiths 40th career interception was another reminder of how much veteran playmaking still matters to this group. With a tough stretch ahead, the Vikings can enjoy being the NFLs last unbeaten team, but the margin for error looks thinner than the record suggests.
The concern is that the offense still has not matched the standard the rest of the team has set, and the scrutiny is beginning to settle on Kevin OConnells handling of that side of the ball as well as some recent roster decisions. Blake Cashman has been a bright spot in the middle, while Will Fries has yet to settle in after joining the team, leaving Minnesota with a little too much imbalance for a club trying to keep winning at a high level. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Just Showed The Vikings What They're Missing
The Vikings spent plenty of the afternoon seeing just how disruptive Jonathan Taylor can be when an offense is built around a true workhorse runner. Taylor was a steady problem for Minnesota, helping Indianapolis stay on schedule and convert third downs in a game that exposed a defense that had usually been better in those situations.
For Minnesota, the reminder is obvious: a back like Taylor changes the feel of a game and gives an offense a different kind of edge. It is easy to see why his fit would be appealing here, even if the reality around any pursuit is more complicated, with no indication the Colts are eager to move him. [Read more 🡒]