Vikings Suddenly Thrown into Trade Rumor Mill
The Minnesota Vikings are officially, but unofficially, in the trade rumor mill for a new wide receiver.
The Vikings became the center of NFL trade rumors, with insiders linking the team to potential moves as roster decisions loom before the regular season.
The regular season is 19 days away, and in an apparent effort to beef up the WR section of the depth chart, the powers that be of NFL reporting Wednesday plopped the purple team directly into the fire of the trade rumor mill.
It’s time to spitball a new pass-catcher.
Vikings Reportedly Seeking WR Trade
The writing has been on the wall for about two weeks.
It’s Happening. The Vikings Are Players in the WR Trade Rumor Mill
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero started the party on Wednesday.
He tweeted, “With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.”
Fifty-eight minutes later, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini chimed in: “The Jets are among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, per sources. The 49ers and Vikings are also making calls.”
And just like that, a rumor mill is born.
How We Got Here
Justin Jefferson missed all of 2025 training camp with a tweaked hamstring. He’ll be ready for Week 1, but that was the first alarm bell. Then, Jordan Addison will be suspended to start the season. He won’t be available until a showdown in Ireland on September 28th.
A week and a half ago, WR4-WR5 Rondale Moore injured his knee, and he’s out for the year. And then Jalen Nailor jammed his hand last week in joint practices.
That’s a lot of setbacks before a season starts, and if Minnesota “does nothing,” it would trust players like Lucky Jackson, rookie Tai Felton, and other little-known receivers in Week 1 if Nailor isn’t back in time.
Most fans, though, expected the club to sign a free agent like Amari Cooper, Gabe Davis, or Tyler Boyd. The club has not done that. Perhaps this year’s batch of summer free agents is too old.
The Realistic Trade Options
The NFL’s trade block is never scientific. It’s a compilation of common sense theories.
Regardless, this is the best estimate of the current WR trade block:
— Skyy Moore (KC)
— Tyreek Hill (MIA)
— Trey Palmer (TB)
— Javon Baker (NE)
— Ja’Lynn Polk (NE)
— Allen Lazard (NYJ)
— Jakobi Meyers (LV)
— Jalen Tolbert (DAL)
— Adam Thielen (CAR)
— Curtis Samuel (BUF)
— Kayshon Boutte (NE)
— Terry McLaurin (WAS)
— Kendrick Bourne (NE)
That list is obviously not all-inclusive, as it’s impossible to know which players are getting shopped by general managers. It’s a decent measuring stick, however.
The Trade Compensation
Unless Minnesota is dreaming big — the Tyreek Hill, Terry McLaurin, and Jakobi Meyers angles — most players on the list can be obtained for a late-round draft pick. Hill and McLaurin would fetch mid-rounders.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ cap space in 2025 can accommodate a new wideout. Beyond this season, if the club took the plunge on Hill or McLaurin, well, the budget is dicey.
Still, sending a late-round pick for a decent receiver like Thielen or Samuel would make a good deal of sense.
NFL.com on the Vikings’ Trade Motivations
Kevin Patra of NFL.com also analyzed Minnesota’s new need for a WR trade.
He explained, “Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track to play Week 1, but his counterpart remains uncertain. Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games of 2025. Rondale Moore is out for the season, and Jalen Nailor is week to week with a hand injury. One question is what sort of veteran they are looking to bring in.”
“Terry McLaurin in Washington is at a contract impasse, but it seems far-fetched for Minnesota to pay another big-money receiver (even if the Commanders were willing to deal). Tyreek Hill’s name will always be tossed around in these instances. More likely, a trade would involve a veteran playing a complementary role, particularly when Addison returns.”
Another item to note: Adofo-Mensah has a mostly full draft capital piggybank. Last year, he did not due to the Dallas Turner deal during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Patra added, “Would the Panthers part with Adam Thielen, allowing a reunion in Minnesota? The Patriots could thin out their receiver corps. Allen Lazard could be a trade candidate out of New York if he’s healthy. As evidenced by the Monday night preseason game, the Cincinnati Bengals’ wideout room is stacked with Mitchell Tinsley flashing. A few free agents remain on the open market, including veteran Amari Cooper.”
“It’s also possible that the Vikings won’t find a trade partner they like and instead pick over the pile following roster cutdowns on Tuesday.”
The Vikings’ next preseason game is Friday night at the Tennessee Titans. Second- and third-string players are expected to play.
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