Vikings Rumors Simmer on SI.com’s Big Trade Proposal, K.J. Osborn, a New Center
The bye week rumor mill for the Minnesota Vikings has arrived, as the team has eight days before its next showdown, taking on the suddenly reeling Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The purple rumor mill for the Vikings dives into a trade with the Saints, wide receiver K.J. Osborn, and the possibility of a new center.
As for the purple rumor mill this week, here’s the Saturday edition, which will be followed by the Sunday edition to round out the week.
Vikings Rumors for Saturday, October 11th, 2025
All the gossip for the purple team.
Rumor: Minnesota should swing a trade for New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning.
Injuries have beset the Vikings’ trenches — and other spots — so much so that popular websites have called for reinforcements via trade. SI.com sized up one ideal trade for each NFL team last week, and Minnesota became connected to Penning.
SI.com’s Matt Vederame and Gilberto Manzano wrote, “Proposed trade: Sixth-round pick to Saints for OL Trevor Penning. It hasn’t worked out in New Orleans for Penning, the 2022 first-round pick who has struggled to find a starting position. On the bright side, Penning offers versatility as a lineman with starting experience playing tackle and guard.”
“Right now, the Vikings need all the help they can get. Not only has the offensive line disappointed, but three of the five starters are currently dealing with injuries. It’s usually a red flag when teams are willing to shop an offensive lineman because the good ones are rarely available. But it never hurts to add versatility and depth to a critical area.”
A peek at Pro Football Focus marks for Penning since turning pro in 2022:
- 2025: 54.3
- 2024: 60.2
- 2023: 53.6
- 2022: 73.6
Pass-blocking grades:
- 2025: 60.5
- 2024: 51.6
- 2023: 60.8
- 2022: 38.7
Run-blocking, as well:
- 2025: 51.5
- 2024: 70.1
- 2023: 49.0
- 2022: 80.2
The swap for Penning would make sense for depth, but on the whole, Minnesota might enjoy what it has in Justin Skule, Walter Rouse, Blake Brandel, and Joe Huber. Too, the injured players are trending to return in the next month.
Rumor: K.J. Osborn may sign with the Saints.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted this week, “The Saints worked out Shemar Bartholomew, Ronnie Bell, Michael Davis (signed), Mecole Hardman, Keenan Isaac, K.J. Osborn, Dee Williams.”
The Saints have wideouts Trey Palmer, Bub Means, and Ja’Lynn Polk on injured reserve, and if signed, Osborn would evidently represent a practice squad and depth alternative.
These are the Saints’ WRs at the moment:
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- Brandin Cooks
- Devaughn Vele
- Mason Tipton
- Kevin Austin Jr. (Practice Squad)
- Dante Pettis (Practice Squad)
- Trey Palmer (Injured Reserve)
- Bub Means (Injured Reserve)
- Ja’Lynn Polk (Injured Reserve)
Osborn’s career has faltered since departing Minnesota after the 2023 campaign, struggling to catch on with the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders. A practice squad contract is probably his last chance to remain relevant.
Rumor: Blake Brandel could latch onto the Vikings’ starting center job for the long haul.
Brandel filled in for two injured centers last weekend: Ryan Kelly and Michael Jurgens.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said of his performance, “I thought Blake Brandel, for his first time playing center, the tape personified everything we think of Blake and have from a versatility standpoint. But for him to step in and run the show the way he did, communicate, and play with physicality and technique was a real positive for Blake.
“Blake had a really, really strong day,” O’Connell added.
Kelly is on injured reserve, and Jurgens is just a late-round backup in the first place. Brandel has a path to remain in the starting center spot.
Back in 2020, Rick Spielman drafted him as a depth tackle — a role he filled for a few seasons before the post-Spielman regime moved him inside. By 2024, Brandel was lining up at guard, holding his own and even thriving at times next to Christian Darrisaw on the left side.
Fast forward to now, and he’s making starts at center. Few linemen can bounce around like that and still deliver steady play. With Kelly’s situation unsettled and Jurgens not guaranteed a future, Brandel might just work his way into a legitimate shot at the long-term center gig now — and in 2026. Stranger things have happened.
Of course, everything would just be better if Kelly returned in a month or so. Stay tuned.
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