Viking from 2024 Roster Already in New Team’s Trade Rumors
Remember Cam Robinson? The guy who took Christian Darrisaw’s spot when Darrisaw tore his ACL last season?
A player from the Vikings’ 2024 roster has already surfaced in his new team’s trade rumor mill, sparking questions about his fit and future role.
The Minnesota Vikings did not retain Robinson this offseason — Darrisaw is back — and Robinson signed with the Houston Texans about five months ago.
Now, in a twist of fate, Robinson is apparently already on the Texans’ trade block.
A Former Viking Might Already Be on the Move Again
Houston’s relationship with Cam Robinson could be short-lived.
Cam Robinson Reportedly on the Trade Block
Because rookie Aireontae Ersery has matured on the fly so well this summer, all signs point to a starter’s job for the rookie.
And evidently, that means Robinson could be dealt to the highest bidder.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime wrote last week: “Trent Brown may not be the only offseason acquisition who fails to make the Texans’ Week 1 roster as left tackle Cam Robinson is the subject of trade talks.”
“Like Brown, Robinson signed with Houston on a one-year deal worth up to $14.5M this season. The signing came a week after the Texans traded Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders last March. Robinson was projected to be a starter in Houston after he spent the first 7½ years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars before the Minnesota Vikings acquired him last season in Week 9.”
Trading Robinson just months after his initial onboarding would be a rare circumstance, but not unheard of.
Bien-Aime added, “But during camp, he suffered a minor knee injury that held him out for a couple of weeks. During Robinson’s absence, the Texans’ 2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery shined at left tackle after spending the early portions of camp playing left and right tackle. So with Robinson in trade talks, the rookie out of Minnesota is primed to start at left tackle.”
And there you have it: Robinson in the trade rumor mill.
A Rookie Might Have Passed Him By on the Depth Chart
Houston drafted the aforementioned Ersery in Round 2 four months ago. And because Robinson lived on the depth chart, most assumed Ersery would gradually work into the Texans’ offense.
That theory appears to be inaccurate.
Houston has not published a formal depth chart after roster cuts, with the regular season just around the bend, but most Texans analysts maintain that Ersery has won the starter’s job at left tackle. That would explain Robinson’s presence on the trade block.
Robinson’s Contract
Robinson signed a one-year deal worth $12 million.
That’s diminutive in starting OT speak, but trading him now could be considered reckless spending. No matter what, the Texans would eat over $8 million in dead cap. Therefore, Houston must grab a decent draft pick to make the financial situation worthwhile.
It’s also notable that the Texans might want to embrace offensive line depth. Why trade Robinson just because Ersery has played well this summer?
Houston’s Offensive Line
The Sporting News recently released its 2025 offensive line rankings last week, and guess what? Houston lived at dead last, familiar territory for DeMeco Ryans’ club.
SN Boss Vinnie Iyer noted, “The Texans have pieced together a post-Tunsil front that includes this aging player and rookie Aireontae Ersery. This is not a confident look for C.J. Stroud or their veteran backs.”
Yet another reason not to drop Robinson so soon.
More on Ersery
SI.com‘s Jared Koch opined further on Ersery’s summer rise this week: “While the initial expectation for the Texans’ tackle centered upon Ersery being more of a developmental tackle who would take time to establish himself at the next level, it seems like the rookie has already hinted that his development process is ahead of schedule.”
“Ersery’s accelerated development comes at a great time for the Texans, as while this offensive line does enter the season looking completely different from what it did through 2024, there are still multiple questions about whether they can truly be a stable unit upfront for Stroud. Having a stud tackle to man the outside certainly helps alleviate those concerns a bit.”
The Texans are overdue for good offensive line news. It’s the mighty roster item holding the club back.
“Ersery might not be as technically strong as more experienced tackles around him, but he has the otherworldly size to counter that in year one. In due time, those details can soon become even more polished as he gets extended reps against top talent, and make his selection at pick 48 in April’s draft look even wiser,” Koch continued.
“The second-rounder will have his first big test right off the bat as the Texans enter the 2025 season, with a date against the Los Angeles Rams and their fortified defensive front led by Jared Verse. If Ersery can hold his own there, it could be a great sign of things to come.”
Houston takes on the Los Angeles Rams in six days.
Robinson might fetch a 5th-Round pick or so via trade.
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