Vikings Listed as Trade Destination for Popular RB
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not need an extra running back for the 2025 campaign, depending on the team’s opinion of its RB3 situation.
The Minnesota Vikings have been listed as a potential trade spot for a high-profile running back, sparking speculation about how he could fit into the offense.
Meanwhile, NFL fans have learned in the last week that Washington Commanders halfback Brian Robinson is on the trade block.
And it didn’t take long for the Vikings to be named a landing spot for Robinson.
Brian Robinson Enter Vikings Rumor Mill
Minnesota would probably have to donate a late-round pick to Washington for Robinson’s services.
Vikings Labeled Trade Landing Spot for Brian Robinson
For starters, there is no credible link to suggest that Minnesota is actively interested in Robinson via trade. It’s just a theoretical spot for now.
NFL writer Logan Ulrich, nevertheless, mentioned Minnesota as a trade destination for Robinson this week.
He explained, “The Vikings have already been among the most active teams at the running back position this offseason, re-signing RB Aaron Jones to a major extension and swinging a trade for RB Jordan Mason. That might suggest that they’ve used all their ammo at the position. However, the team clearly wants to emphasize the run more in 2025 to help ease the transition to first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy.”
“The No. 3 running back is a major question mark, with Minnesota seemingly looking for any alternative to Ty Chandler. The No. 3 RB might not seem like a high priority, but given Jones’ age, Mason’s injury history and Minnesota’s goals, adding an experienced upgrade like Robinson would make some sense, particularly if the Vikings can figure out a way not to pay full freight.”
If green-lit by Minnesota, Robinson almost assuredly would slide onto the purple depth chart as the shiny new RB3 — or in other words, the “new Cam Akers.”
Commanders Actively Shopping Robinson
Robinson on the trade block isn’t a fringe theory. The man is for sale to the highest bidder. Often, the trade block features players who certain folks think might be traded. Robinson is different; it’s somewhat public knowledge that Washington will ship him elsewhere for a fresh start.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. will not play in Monday night’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, possibly signaling the end of his tenure with the franchise after three seasons.”
Where Robinson Would Fit in Minnesota
Kevin O’Connell’s offense has the top two running back spots all sewn up: Aaron Jones will be the RB1, and newcomer Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers (also acquired via trade) as the RB2.
Thereafter, the mystery ensues.
The Vikings could re-nominate fourth-year tailback Ty Chandler as the RB3. He’s experienced within the offense. Chandler’s malfunction, however, is pass protection.
Recently, unsung tailback Zavier Scott has made a name for himself among preseason players, so much so that many fans and Vikings pundits believe Scott will earn the RB3 title in one week when Minnesota trims its roster from 90 players to 53.
O’Connell also has undrafted free agents Tre Stewart and Xazavian Valladay on his summer depth chart, though neither is expected to win the RB3 job.
The RB3 if No Trade
It’s probably a safe bet to assume that the aforementioned Scott has done enough to get a look at RB3 in 2025. The Chandler era seems near its end, and Scott produced an impressive training camp.
It’s also worth noting that the free-agent market for running backs will explode in seven days amid roster cuts. A player like Jaleel McLaughlin or Audric Estime could be kicked to the curb by the Denver Broncos, and Minnesota could explore one of those options. Denver is just a random example; the RB market will be flooded on August 26th.
Minnesota could then sign a free-agent tailback and save the draft pick it would’ve sent to Washington for Robinson.
Other Robinson Landing Spots
Ulrich also named the Los Angeles Chargers as a fit for Robinson: “Under HC Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman, the Chargers will always have designs on being one of the run-heaviest offenses in the league, even with QB Justin Herbert. That led to them spending a first-round pick on RB Omarion Hampton and a healthy free agent contract for RB Najee Harris. However, Harris has yet to practice due to an eye injury suffered in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July.”
“Roman has said he wants to rotate runners no matter what to keep everyone fresh, and if Harris can’t make it back, the Chargers are looking pretty thin at the position. The rest of the depth chart is rounded out by Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins, undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders, Jaret Patterson and Nyheim Hines. Robinson is unquestionably an upgrade over the whole batch, and if the Chargers run the ball as much as Roman wants, there’s probably room for him to have a role even with a healthy Hampton and Harris.”
The Tennessee Titans made the cut, too: “Tyjae Spears has a high ankle sprain right now, and the staff has talked more about getting him a bigger role without actually following through. Pollard had topped 250 carries each of the past two seasons and has looked worn down, with his YPC falling a full yard compared to the start of his career when he was in more of a timeshare.”
“Robinson would bring more of a power back element to the Titans’ offense than either Pollard or Spears. He’d also potentially allow the team to split up the touches more and get more efficiency out of everyone involved.”
Robinson turned 26 this offseason.
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