The Vikings Should Trade for Kyler Murray’s Old Teammate
The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of running backs, so much so that trading for one might be perceived as strange. But down in Arizona, Trey Benson is buried on the Cardinals’ depth chart, desperately needing a fresh start.
Benson’s buried role in Arizona could give Minnesota a low-cost chance to add fresh backfield upside.
His stock is at its lowest, and Minnesota should inquire about his asking price via trade.
Arizona’s Silly Depth Chart Could Open the Door for Minnesota. Again.
A late-rounder might drag the deal over the finish line.
Benson on the Trade Block?
CardinalsWire‘s Jess Root wrote earlier this month, “When the Arizona Cardinals drafted running back Jeremiyah Love third overall in the 2026 NFL draft last month, the running back room changed and shifted projections for the final roster. A player the Cardinals once were counting on as a key cog in their offense is now a trade candidate: RB Trey Benson, trade candidate.”
“Benson, a former third-round pick who many believed could turn into a starter, is coming off his second straight year that ended with an injury. He has top-end speed. He has averaged 5.4 yards per attempt in his career. He has good size. He has value and upside. As the season approaches, he might be able to be dealt for a late Day 3 pick.”
For context, here’s the Cardinals’ RB room as of late May:
- Jeremiyah Love
- Tyler Allgeier
- James Conner
- Trey Benson
- Bam Knight
- Corey Kiner
Too many. Benson could benefit from a geographical cure.
The History on Benson
In 2024, coming out of the draft, Carolina Panthers halfback Jonathon Brooks and Benson were the two main RB names to watch — for fantasy football and real-life. To date, injuries have plagued both men’s careers to the point that 2026 feels like a make-or-break year.
Benson is in a particularly rough spot because he’s essentially guaranteed to get no action in the Cardinals’ offense. They have Love, Allgeier, and Conner for those jobs — proven commodities.
Still, Benson is 6’0″ and 220 pounds, an ideal size for a workhorse running back. He’s banked 92 rushing attempts in two seasons, compiling 451 yards on the ground, a touchdown, in addition to 19 receptions. In a career that emphatically has not taken off — he’s missed 50% of all games since 2024 — Benson still averages 4.9 yards per carry. Some team, even if the Vikings are not interested, must take a flyer on him. A man with roughly 5 yards per rushing attempt should not be squandered as an RB4 of the lowly Cardinals’ depth chart.
In that regard, this is a golden opportunity. The Vikings can return to the wishing well of poor Arizona decision-making that might propel their season with Murray at the helm. Try it twice.
Last Word on Sports‘ David Latham noted on Benson last week, “Benson has no clear path to the field. LaFleur didn’t draft him, which means he’s likely the third or fourth running back on the depth chart.”
“Running back is an injury-prone position, but it’s hard to envision Arizona keeping him around with all the depth ahead of him. While they won’t cut him, they could try to trade him to a team that still believes in his natural abilities.”
The Trade Price
This is the fun part. Benson is buried. Like buried-buried. Thirty-one general managers know that Benson is not a hot commodity; he’s staring up at Love, Allgeier, and Conner on a depth chart.
It won’t take much to acquire Benson. For example, if Arizona got cute and requested a 3rd- or 4th-Rounder for his services, every suitor would decline, and the Cardinals would be stuck with Benson on their roster — doing nothing.
For the Cardinals, it’s wiser team-building to nab a 5th-, 6th-, or 7th-Round pick for Benson, knowing the RB room already has too many cooks in the kitchen. Arizona has no leverage; they tipped their hand this offseason by welcoming Love and Allgeier.
Quite realistically and reasonably, Minnesota could ship a 6th-Round pick to Arizona for Benson and call it good. They can turn around and put his 5 yards per carry to work in an offense that desperately must fix its rushing efficiency.
Two More Years of Team Control
The final cool perk? Trading for Benson would welcome an affordable asset for two more seasons. Benson’s rookie contract runs out after the 2027 season, at which point he’d hit free agency. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ main running back, Aaron Jones, is old. He may not be with the club in 2027. If the front office already knows that, adding Benson can prepare for the Jones afterlife.
Trade for Benson and incorporate him into the 2026 offense, with upside of becoming an RB1 candidate in 2027 and 2028.
He’ll turn 24 in July. Go get him.
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