Just Released RB Might Be Vikings Missing Piece
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not need an extra running back before the start of the 2025 regular season, which is 40 days away.
A recently released running back, Zack Moss, is now on the open market — and he might be exactly what the Vikings need as an RB3. Here’s why the timing could be perfect for Minnesota to give him a call.
The team may empower Ty Chandler during the final year of his contract or roll with an unsung option like Zavier Scott or rookie Tre Stewart.
But if the club needed another option, the Cincinnati Bengals released veteran runner Zack Moss on Wednesday.
Moss is a free agent.
Zack Moss to Hit Open Free Agency
The veteran tailback, in theory, could fill an RB3 role in Minnesota.
Bengals Drop Zack Moss
That’s a wrap for Moss in Cincinnati after one season.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper noted Wednesday, “Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to report to Bengals training camp on Wednesday and the team opened up a roster spot that allows them to activate him from the reserve/did not report list. The Bengals announced that they have released running back Zack Moss. They also activated center Seth McLaughlin from the active/non-football injury list.”
“Moss finished last season on injured reserve after hurting his neck. He ran 74 times for 242 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the team. Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Gary Brightwell, and sixth-round pick Tahj Brooks remain on hand in the backfield. McLaughlin signed with the team as an undrafted free agent this offseason.”
The 27-year-old is free to sign anywhere in the NFL.
Vikings’ RB3 Plan Up in the Air
For now, fourth-year halfback Ty Chandler is in line to hold down RB3 duties in Minnesota this season. But some have speculated that Chandler could be waived next month during roster trimdowns.
Chandler doesn’t pass-block well, and that seems to be a prerequisite for the Vikings’ offense. It’s why the club has conducted trades for Cam Akers in back-to-back seasons, almost in an emergency capacity. Akers pass-blocks effectively.
Otherwise, Minnesota could have grand plans for Zavier Scott or Tre Stewart. It’s “believe it when you see it” on those two getting an RB3 promotion.
Decent History of Pass Blocking
Moss usually tabulates Pro Football Focus grades in the 60s range per pass-blocking. As a rookie in 2022, he even tipped the scales with a 78.9 grade in that vein.
Before signing with the Bengals in 2024 and later suffering the unfortunate neck injury, Moss tallied 986 yards from scrimmage with the Indianapolis Colts. Assuming his neck is fully healed — he participated at Bengals training camp until his roster release — he could replicate a fraction of that production as the Vikings’ RB3.
Put plainly, Moss has more experience than Chandler, Scott, and Stewart combined. He’s scored 21 touchdowns since 2020.
Other RB Alternatives
Let’s assume that Moss is not an option for the Vikings — perhaps his injury recovery isn’t very promising — but the team still wants an alternate RB3, these are the current free-agent options:
- Ameer Abdullah
- Gus Edwards
- Ezekiel Elliott
- D’Onta Foreman
- Chase Edmonds
- D’Ernest Johnson
- Jamaal Williams
- Jeff Wilson
This market will also explode in four weeks when teams trim their roster from 90 players to 53. A player like Jaleel McLaughlin from the Denver Broncos or Antonio Gibson of the New England Patriots could hit the open market.
More on Moss’ Release
Cincy Jungle‘s Jason Marcum wrote about Moss’ release, “Moss, a sixth-year player this coming season, signed with the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason. He played in eight games with six starts, totaling 74 rushing attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns along with 23 receptions for 187 yards and a score.”
“However, Moss suffered a broken neck midway through the season against the Baltimore Ravens. It appears his recovery didn’t go as well as the Bengals had hoped for. They’ll now rely on Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, and sixth-round rookie Tajh Brooks to carry the workload this coming season.”
Moss’ next team will also be able to onboard him at an affordable price.
“McLaughlin was placed on the non-football injury list on July 19 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during his final season of college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes,” Marcum added.
Moss will turn 28 in December.
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