Vikings Buzz: Blockbuster Trade Talk, Comp Picks, and a RB on the Rise

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at Vikings headquarters in August 2022.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is pictured in August 2022 at the team’s headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota, during an offseason session. Adofo-Mensah, hired in 2022, continues to shape the roster through trades, draft strategy, and free agency decisions. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

The second installment of the weekly Minnesota Vikings rumor mill from VikingsTerritory is here.

Blockbuster trade rumors, compensatory draft pick projections, and a possible running back promotion are fueling the latest batch of Minnesota Vikings rumors.

The franchise’s first regular season game is 29 days away, and in the meantime, the rumor mill never really sleeps.

These are Sunday’s purple rumors

Purple Rumor Mill | Vikings, August 10th

The latest Vikings rumor from various sources.

Micah Parsons rushes past Taylor Moton during Cowboys-Panthers game.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker M. Parsons rushes as Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton blocks during first-quarter action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec 15, 2024. Parsons applied pressure early in the NFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.

Rumor: Some NFL pundits believe Micah Parsons would fit wonderfully in Minnesota.

Parson is disgruntled in Dallas, mainly because owner-GM Jerry Jones is doing Jerry Jonesy things.

Almost every team’s fan base has daydreamed about what Parson might look like on its team, and Minnesota has not been excluded. The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen tweeted last week, “Micah Parsons to the Vikings would be cinema.”

And Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently opined, “The obvious candidates are the Bills and the Ravens. Both want to get past the Chiefs. Parsons could help make that happen. The Broncos become an interesting option, too. Ownership has the money to make it happen. And getting Parsons would thrust Denver into the upper echelon of the AFC.”

“The Cowboys probably wouldn’t trade Parsons in the conference — and definitely not in the division. He’d be a major factor for the Lions, but they still have to pay Aidan Hutchinson. And Parsons would be a fascinating chess piece in the Brian Flores defense in Minnesota. Parsons is one of the best defensive players in football. He’s on the front end of his prime.”

Parsons to Minnesota is not realistic, but folks have mentioned it.

Rumor: Minnesota’s compensatory draft pick situation involving Daniel Jones is a wild ride.

Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson have an honest-to-goodness quarterback battle ongoing.

Daniel Jones throws a pass at Colts training camp.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones throws a pass during training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, on July 28, 2025. Jones showcased his arm strength and accuracy during the summer practice session. © Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Athletic’s James Boyd explained Tuesday, “Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen announced Tuesday afternoon, following a joint practice with the Ravens, that quarterback Anthony Richardson will start Thursday’s preseason opener in Baltimore.”

“The plan, Steichen said, is for Richardson to play about a quarter and a half before he is replaced by Daniel Jones, who will finish out the first half. Jones will then draw the start for the Colts’ second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, where he’ll be allowed to play about a quarter and a half before being replaced by Richardson for half a quarter.”

If Jones plays 60.6%+ snaps this season, Minnesota will get a 4th-Round draft pick for his free-agent exit in March. If he plays less than that mark, it’s a 5th-Rounder.

Anthony Richardson runs while chased by DeShon Elliott.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott pursues Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson as he runs the ball during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sep 29, 2024. Richardson escaped the pocket under defensive pressure. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

Richardson getting the start in the preseason didn’t bode well for Jones’ QB1 outlook. But then Richardson dislocated his finger after a vicious sack by the Baltimore Ravens.

The compensatory pick situation is totally up in the air.

Rumor: Zavier Scott is making enough noise this summer to win the RB3 job.

VikingsTerritory‘s Sean Borman tweeted this week, “QB Sam Howell and RB Zavier Scott getting 2nd team reps.”

Zavier Scott runs the ball against the Bengals.
Indianapolis Colts running back Zavier Scott carries the ball in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Aug 22, 2024. Scott contributed key yardage during the preseason contest. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports.

And last week, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis selected Scott for the 53-man roster instead of the current RB3, Ty Chandler. He wrote, “This is one of the boldest choices. Scott, an undrafted product from UConn and Maine, has held his own with the backups as a pass catcher and runner. Does he have the top-end speed of Chandler? Doubtful. Does he have the experience? No. But this is more an evaluation of the first week, and Scott hasn’t left much on the table.”

“He’ll likely receive ample opportunities in the preseason, which will give him further chances at staking a claim to a roster spot.”

Scott has three preseason games to prove he deserves the RB3 job. If he earns it, Chandler will likely be waived after three seasons in purple. Undrafted runner Tre Stewart is also on the depth chart.


Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker