The Vikings don’t have much time left to make a move, and the trade deadline is closing fast. Minnesota has until Nov. 10 at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET to get something done, which means any target has to make sense both on the field and on the cap sheet.
That’s why Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard looks like a far cleaner fit than the splashier name many fans have circled. Indianapolis Colts back Jonathan Taylor is the popular dream, but the price to land him - plus his lucrative contract - makes that path a tough one for Minnesota to navigate.
Pollard, by contrast, brings a much friendlier financial setup. He’s in the last year of his three-year, $21.75 million deal with Tennessee, and the Vikings should be able to work out an extension that fits their tight salary cap situation once he’s in the building.
The 29-year-old would also give Minnesota the kind of lead back it seems to be seeking. Since joining the Titans in 2024, Pollard has averaged 15.5 rushing attempts and 2.1 receptions per game. That workload would still leave room for Jordan Mason, especially with Minnesota’s running backs averaging 22.3 rushing attempts per game this season.
Aaron Jones Sr. has been playing through a knee injury, while Mason has been on injured reserve recovering from thumb surgery. Jones, now 31, took a pay cut to remain with the Vikings this season, which makes it hard to see him as part of the team’s long-term plan.
A Pollard-Mason pairing down the line would give Minnesota a workable backfield setup. And Tennessee has already shown a willingness to move pieces, having traded star defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons to the Chicago Bears. The Titans have won only one of their first eight games, and Pollard has been one of the few bright spots.
He’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season and has scored six rushing touchdowns in eight games. His Pro Football Focus grade of 85.6 ranks sixth among all qualifying running backs, and his 86.5 rushing grade underlines how effective he’s been on the ground.
With the deadline approaching, general manager Nolan Teasley has to zero in on a player who can help now without forcing Minnesota into a costly future commitment. Pollard fits that description.
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Vikings Are Suddenly Linked To A Deadline Move Fans Will Debate
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The Colts have so far shown reluctance to move Taylor, but the speculation around him has only grown as the deadline nears. Analysts have pointed to the Vikings as a possible landing spot, and the possibility of adding a proven runner is the kind of move that can split a fan base between urgency and caution, especially when the price in draft capital is part of the discussion. [Read more 🡒]