The possibility of Jonathan Taylor winding up in Minnesota is getting a little harder to dismiss.
After the Indianapolis Colts fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard last Monday, chatter around the league immediately turned to what might come next before the November 10 trade deadline. Taylor, one of the biggest names on Indianapolis’ roster, naturally jumped into the center of that conversation, and Vikings fans have been watching closely.
That interest got a boost on Sunday when ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Minnesota is among four teams that have reportedly “pondered, or are expected to consider, the possibility of a trade” for the Colts’ running back.
The Packers, Broncos, and Seahawks were listed alongside the Vikings as teams that could take a look at Taylor.
Of those four, Green Bay feels like the least likely fit. With Josh Jacobs returning to the field this week, it doesn’t make much sense for the Packers to chase another high-profile running back, which should keep Minnesota from having to worry about that particular scenario.
Denver and Seattle, though, look more plausible. Both teams have struggled on the ground this season, ranking among the worst rushing offenses in the NFL in expected points added from running the ball. Taylor could be exactly the kind of answer those clubs are searching for.
That’s where the Vikings’ case gets tricky. Minnesota already has a respectable backfield with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason handling most of the workload, so there isn’t the same urgency there as there is in Denver or Seattle.
Because of that, a deal with Indianapolis may not make the most sense for Minnesota right now, even if the team has been mentioned as a possible suitor.
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For Bears fans, though, the lingering frustration has been less about the scoreboard than the setting. Some have pointed to the conditions and a handful of missed scoring chances as reason to question how much the result should really count, even as Minnesotas defensive effort deserves plenty of credit on its own. The debate has only added another layer to a rivalry game that already felt like a referendum on how much patience Chicago has left for Caleb Williams and the offense around him. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Could Eye A Major Backfield Upgrade Before The Deadline
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Aaron Jones has not provided the same production he once did, and Jordan Mason is dealing with a fractured thumb, which leaves the Vikings in a spot where help would make sense. If Philadelphia were ever willing to move Barkley, Minnesota could be one of the more aggressive teams watching closely, even if the price and timing still make this a situation to monitor rather than a done deal. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Backfield Move Just Put A Bigger Possibility In Play
The Vikings made a roster adjustment before facing the Colts, releasing DeeJay Dallas to clear the way for Jordan Mason to come off injured reserve. It was the kind of backfield move teams make this time of year, but it also gave Minnesota a little more clarity heading into a matchup where the ground game will matter, especially with Mason returning and the Vikings looking to settle in around their current rotation.
At the same time, the broader running back picture around Indianapolis has a way of keeping Minnesota in the conversation. Jonathan Taylor remains under contract after his extension with the Colts, and while there is no indication a deal is imminent, the Vikings have been floated as a possible destination if circumstances ever change. The connection is worth watching because Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds has ties to Vikings GM Nolan Teasley, a thread that could matter if the situation around Taylor ever turns into something more than background noise. [Read more 🡒]