3 Vikings Players Most Likely to Be Traded
During each regular season since taking the top job in Minneapolis, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has pulled off at least one trade before the league’s deadline. Why would 2025 be any different?
The NFL trade deadline is approaching in three weeks, and as always, there are a few Minnesota Vikings players who could be shipped elsewhere.
Generally speaking, Adofo-Mensah is probably more likely to trade for players, using draft picks as bait, but what if he offloads some veterans from the existing roster?
These are the most likely possibilities.
Trades Could Be on the Docket for These Vikings
Minnesota may not wheel and deal with outgoing players, but if it does, consider these players.
1. Jalen Nailor (WR)
Nailor makes the cut on this list for one reason: this season is the final on his contract, and if the franchise already knows it won’t re-sign him in March 2026, why not ship him to a new team while onboarding a 6th- or 7th-Round draft pick? Late in the summer, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah showed a fascination with stockpiling late-round draft capital via trade. Could Nailor fit the pattern?
The Vikings have Adam Thielen on the depth chart, who’s largely been ignored through five weeks. They also drafted Maryland’s Tai Felton in Round 3 seven months ago. There are men eager to fill in if Nailor were shopped before the deadline.
This one’s all about long-term planning. Minnesota spent a 6th-Rounder on Nailor three and a half years ago. Why not reclaim a 6th- or 7th-Rounder if the club already knows he’ll walk in free agency?
2. Jeff Okudah (CB)
Okudah is Minnesota’s CB3 at the moment, but he only plays about 30% of the time. And when he plays, his performance leaves a lot to be desired, logging a 118.7 passer-rating-against in 2025. It feels like opposing quarterbacks target Okudah the moment he steps onto the field — and are rewarded for their efforts.
Minnesota has Dwight McGlothern at CB4, and all signs point to him playing more efficiently than Okudah if afforded an opportunity. Trade Okudah for a 7th-Rounder and promote McGlothern — can be the mindset here.
If you’re concerned about CB depth, the Vikings also have rookie Zemaiah Vaughn on the practice squad, in addition to veteran Fabian Moreau. Meanwhile, Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent. Asante Samuel Jr. also remains on the wire.
3. Carson Wentz (QB)
No, this is not very likely. But it is possible.
Suppose one of two things happens for the Vikings before the trade deadline: 1) They embark on a winning streak with J.J. McCarthy, making it evident that Carson Wentz is not a superior option at quarterback 2) They lose their next three games, painting the season in an underwhelming light and one all about McCarthy’s development, not necessarily the postseason.
In either scenario, Minnesota would fully commit to McCarthy and let the chips fall. It could trust Max Brosmer with the QB2 job, while re-signing Desmond Ridder or someone similar as the QB3.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Wentz this week, “Two things can be true at the same time: One can believe J.J. McCarthy should get the starting quarterback job back once he’s healthy, while also recognizing that Wentz did exactly what the Vikings needed him to do over the past three weeks while McCarthy was hurt.”
“The Vikings had to find a way to go 2-1 or better, and they were able to do that. Wentz was able to provide offensive competency for the Vikings, which they struggled to find during McCarthy’s first two games. He got the ball into the hands of Jefferson and his other weapons, completing 69 of 100 passes for 759 yards, five touchdowns, and two picks.”
Wentz is also nursing a left shoulder injury during the bye week.
“Out of 37 quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks this season, Wentz ranks 17th in passer rating, 13th in adjusted EPA per play, and sixth in completion percentage over expected. The Vikings have to play McCarthy in order to find out what they have in the 22-year-old and potentially raise their ceiling for this season and beyond,” Ragatz added.
“But Wentz took this golden opportunity and showed the league that he’s still capable of being an effective low-end starter, which should lead to another opportunity to play elsewhere in the future.”
A star quarterback around the NFL would have to get injured for this trade to materialize, but it’s not entirely inconceivable to ship Wentz elsewhere for a 6th-Round pick or so. If Joe Flacco can fetch a 6th-Rounder at age 40, so can Wentz at 32.
You must be logged in to post a comment.