The Minnesota Vikings’ next stop in the offseason is the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 5 Players in the Vikings Trade Rumor Mill
The event is 23 days away, and roster-building has a long way to go before Week 1.
Some believe the franchise will conduct more trades this offseason, possibly during the draft or after in the spring and summer.
So, as a matter of inventory, these are the five high-profile players in the Vikings’ trade rumor mill listed alphabetically.
1. Jordan Addison (WR)
Like most men on this list, an actual trade involving the player is unlikely, generally speaking.
Addison is an electric playmaker, scheduled to be attached to Minnesota’s roster for the next three seasons. There is no serious smoke from credible NFL reporters suggesting an Addison move.
However, Buffalo Bills-themed media seems to think that Addison is tradeable.
NewYorkUpstate.com‘s Matt Parrino covers the Bills, and squeezed in an article about that team’s wide receiver options in 2025, Addison’s name popped up as a trade candidate, along with New Orleans Saints wideout Chris Olave.
“Two other names to monitor are New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, who does come with a concerning concussion history, and maybe Minnesota receiver Jordan Addison. The Vikings just gave All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson a monster new deal and Addison will be extension eligible after the 2025 season,” Parrino wrote last week.
“The Bills and Vikings have pulled off a trade in the past for a big-time receiver and Beane should look into Addison’s availability. From the outside looking in, Addison seems to have played his best ball when Jefferson was out of the lineup in 2023.”
In theory, if Minnesota has soured on Addison’s legal infractions, now would be the time to send him to the highest bidder.
2. Kirk Cousins (QB)
Yes, him.
Cousins is on the Atlanta Falcon’s books as perhaps the most expensive backup quarterback in human history, so many believe he’ll be traded during this month’s draft.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said this week about Cousins’ trade options, “I also believe that the break-the-glass emergency plan for Pittsburgh, for Cleveland, for Minnesota if it doesn’t have a backup, the break-the-glass emergency plan is you can always say ‘I’m gonna trade a draft choice to the Atlanta Falcons for Kirk Cousins.'”
“You can always say ‘We’re gonna take on some of his salary.’ I think Kirk Cousins is sitting there as the break-the-glass emergency option for one of those teams.”
Indeed, the Vikings got a mention.
Minnesota curiously has not signed a QB2 yet, and of course, the coaching staff would know Cousins like the back of its hand.
3. Will Levis (QB)
The Tennessee Titans will draft Miami’s Cam Ward in 23 days, and Levis will become a QB1 orphan.
Needing a QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy, Levis evidently makes sense as a Vikings trade target.
Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton wrote in March, “According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t interested in Aaron Rodgers. They may prefer an experienced quarterback who can push J.J. McCarthy for the starting job rather than someone who expects to start over him.”
“If so, a young signal-caller who’s played in a notable number of regular-season games would be an ideal addition.”
In theory, Minnesota would basically obtain Levis for late-round draft capital, per the BR idea.
Moton added, “According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Titans ‘would like to transition’ from Will Levis. If McCarthy has a setback in his recovery from two meniscus tears or a rough offseason, Levis can provide veteran insurance until the Vikings get their quarterback of the future ready to lead the huddle.”
Not too many fans would hate the Levis-to-Vikings idea.
4. Sauce Gardner (CB)
Probably the least likely of the bunch, Gardner-to-Minnesota rumors surfaced thanks to a shady social media source in March.
The theory came from a social media account called “Playmaker Dave,” who boasts a sweet social media accuracy run, predicting events like Daniel Jones to the Vikings a few months ago, Davante Adams to the Los Angeles Rams, and Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, among other fulfilled prophecies.
The account tweeted on March 11th, “SOURCE: Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets in discussions for blockbuster trade involving Sauce Gardner’ lots of movement in the last 24 hours and the cap situation makes it all work.'”
In November, Gardner spoke favorably about Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. “He’s nice. That’s probably one of the only games this year I was like thinking, ‘Do I really want to gamble against him? Bro, he is probably one of the best OCs I’ve ever played against, like ever,” Gardner said on The Richard Sherman Podcast.
But one must ask — why would the Jets trade the second-best corner in football?
5. Denzel Ward (CB)
An oldie but a goodie, Ward as a Viking earned theoretical legs in February, courtesy of Bleacher Report.
“Ward has long been one of the NFL’s better players at a premium position. He’s headed to his fourth Pro Bowl and is in the prime of the career,” BR’s Gary Davenport recommended two months ago.
“But if Minnesota offers the 24th overall pick for Ward, Cleveland should pull the trigger. It would be a truly ‘all-in’ move for the Vikings, who are already short on draft picks this year. But with $57.9 million in cap space, the Vikings could make this splash trade and still have enough money to bring back Sam Darnold.”
Adofo-Mensah could send his 1st-Rounder from this year to Cleveland — his former employer — for the 28-year-old Ward and a mid-round pick and call it good.
“Calling pass defense the Vikings’ biggest weakness this season doesn’t do it justice. They were 28th in the NFL during the regular season and got shredded by the Rams in a playoff loss. Ward would be a massive upgrade at their most vulnerable position. He’d all but surely a more impactful player in the short-term than that 24th pick,” Davenport elaborated.
Minnesota would then feature Ward, Byron Murphy Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah at the position.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.