The Vikings Have a Real Path to the NFL’s Top Free Agent RB
The Minnesota Vikings don’t necessarily have oodles of spending money on hand for free agency, but if they find some, the organization has a clear connection to New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Before joining the Vikings in 2025, new offensive line coach Keith Carter served as the Jets’ run game coordinator, and it really doesn’t get any closer to Hall than that from a coach’s perspective.
If Minnesota wants more juice from the ground game, Hall fits the profile, and he has a previous connection to the Vikings’ new OL coach.
Hall won’t be cheap, but Minnesota has a real shot at landing his services if interim general manager Rob Brzezinski is in the mood.
A New Decision Looms in the Vikings’ Backfield
It’s another name for your Vikings’ free-agent bingo board.
Hall to MIN with Carter Promoted?
Carter drew scorn on social media from former Tennessee Titans players a while back, but that didn’t stop the Vikings from hiring him as an assistant offensive line coach last offseason. And when the 2026 offseason rolled around, head coach Kevin O’Connell opted not to retain main offensive line coach Chris Kuper.
That put Carter in the driver’s seat to earn the top OL job in Minnesota, which he fulfilled last week.
From 2022 to 2023, Carter was in charge of the Jets’ rushing offense, a group highlighted by Hall. Fast forward to 2026 free agency, and Hall is a free agent, expected to command about $10 million to $12 million on the open market.
So long as Hall doesn’t share any of the aforementioned resentment toward Carter and his alleged grueling practices, there’s a path for Hall to land in Minnesota via free agency. Most other Hall suitors won’t have his former coach on staff.
Hall’s Career to Date
Hall’s resume starts with availability, which matters more at running back than almost anywhere else. Outside of a rookie year injury, he’s been consistently on the field, a rarity at RB. Over four seasons, the production has followed: 681 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022, 1,585 and 9 in 2023, 1,359 and 8 in 2024, then 1,415 yards with 5 scores in 2025. He’s sitting on a 4.5 yards-per-carry career average.
Minnesota, though, would draw little pushback if it found a way to add him. The Vikings know what that level of output looks like, but the money is tight. That matters, especially with more than $20 million already tied up in the running back room through Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. That’s significant money for the RB spot.
The 2025 rushing attack was serviceable, but it never dominated opponents. O’Connell leaned pass-heavy even when quarterback play faltered, and the ground game never forced defenses to adjust. The draft remains the cleanest long-term answer, yet Hall offers something different: certainty. He’s not a rookie, and he removes draft guesswork. Minnesota would onboard a sure thing in Hall.
Sportsnaut‘s Andrew Buller-Hall on Hall to MIN: “The Vikings should make a strong play for free agent Breece Hall this offseason. Minnesota could have an inside line to signing Hall after promoting OL coach Keith Carter, Hall’s running game coordinator from 2023 to 2024. Yet, other teams will surely have interest in Hall after he compiled a career-high 1,065 rushing yards this season.”
“Hall’s longest rush this season went for 59 yards, and he averaged 4.4 yards per carry. He’d also help replace Jones in the passing game, giving Vikings QBs another option out of the backfield. He’d surely be an upgrade over Jones, especially if the Vikings can still pair Hall with Mason to form an extremely effective 1-2 punch. Not only would that duo help take pressure off whoever plays QB for the Vikings in 2026, it might be one of the best rushing tandems in the NFL.”
Getting Serious about Fixing the Rushing Offense
These are the numbers for the Vikings’ rushing offense since the arrival of O’Connell four years ago:
Vikings Rushing Offense,
Rush Playcall % | Rush EPA/Play,
NFL Ranking:
2025: 19th | 15th
2024: 18th | 14th
2023: 30th | 18th
2022: 30th | 18th
O’Connell has never featured a game-changing running back. Dalvin Cook had begun his age-related decline in 2022. Alexander Mattison stunk in 2023. Ty Chandler and Cam Akers are backup tailbacks. Aaron Jones represented a refreshingly productive alternative, but he’s over the age of 30. Jordan Mason is a wonderful roster piece, but is more of a mid-tier RB1 — or elite RB2.
It’s time for O’Connell — now a de facto general manager, too — to sign Hall or draft a high-round rookie running back. Don’t leave it until Round 5 for half-measured solutions.
Other Options if Not Hall
For the sake of argument, let’s assume Minnesota will pursue a free-agent running back, but Hall is not interested in the Vikings. These high-profile halfbacks are also scheduled to test free agency:
- JK Dobbins
- Travis Etienne
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kenneth Walker
- Rachaad White
- Javonte Williams
That’s about seven prominent free agents and arguably 5-6 rookie running backs who could move the needle as an RB1.
Now, it’s up to Minnesota to decide if these options are wiser than Jones + Mason again in 2026.
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