The Minnesota Vikings are heading into Monday night with a 6-1 record, a defense that’s carrying plenty of weight, and a trade deadline sitting right there on the horizon. By 3 p.m. CT the next day, the front office will have to decide whether to stand pat or make a move, and safety is suddenly a position worth watching.
That’s not because the Vikings are in immediate trouble tonight. Even with Theo Jackson (quad) and Jay Ward (knee) listed as questionable, the bigger picture is what’s waiting beyond this season and the next.
Harrison Smith is planning to retire after 2026, and Josh Metellus has no guaranteed money after this year. So while the short-term depth issue matters against the Bills, the long-term outlook is what makes this spot interesting.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reported Sunday that Minnesota is expected to be active ahead of the deadline, with safety joining running back, offensive line and defensive line as areas Nolan Teasley could try to upgrade. When Goessling got to safety, he pointed to two names that would certainly light up the fan base: Budda Baker and Antoine Winfield Jr.
A move for Baker would be the more straightforward of the two on paper, even if it still feels like a major swing. The Arizona safety is a four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, and he’s put together another strong season with 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in nine starts.
According to Over The Cap, none of his 2027 money is guaranteed, and the $1 million Goessling referenced is a roster bonus due in March. Arizona is 3-6 and already has been dealing pieces, sending Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston a couple weeks ago and Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore more recently.
Baker hasn’t exactly sounded eager to leave. In late October, he said: “hopefully when the deadline ends, I’ll still be here. If not, I mean, it’s a business.”
Still, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Monday morning that Baker would welcome a shot at a contender if Arizona opens the door, though Fowler called that a “big if.” He also noted that the Bills, who face Minnesota tonight, have been looking around the safety market as well.
Winfield would bring a different kind of buzz entirely. The Tampa Bay safety grew up in Eden Prairie, starred as a unanimous All-American with the Gophers in 2019, and is the son of Antoine Winfield Sr., who played for the Vikings from 2004 to 2012. Winfield has two Pro Bowls and a 2023 first-team All-Pro selection with the Buccaneers, and at 28, he’s younger than Baker.
The catch is health. Winfield injured his ankle Sunday night in Chicago and Ian Rapoport reported he was ruled out for the rest of the game. There’s no timeline yet, and that uncertainty could complicate any real pursuit.
For now, the Vikings are still focused on the Bills and on a defense that has been elite through seven games, ranking first in the NFL in opponent passer rating allowed at 64.9, completion rate allowed at 56.2%, and passing touchdowns allowed with four. But with the deadline arriving fast, safety has become one of the most intriguing spots to monitor.
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