Will the Vikings’ offseason front office overhaul be the key to landing a coveted running back ahead of next month’s trade deadline?
This weekend, the undefeated Vikings are preparing to take on a spiraling Colts team that just fired its general manager. While fire sales are rare in the NFL, Indianapolis has several high-profile players on expiring deals that make a messy sell-off increasingly likely. With a win this Sunday, the Vikings can push the Colts closer to that, while also getting a good look at several players they could try to acquire ahead of the deadline.
One of those players is running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been widely speculated to be on the way out following the firing of Chris Ballard earlier this week. In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport made an unprompted connection to the Vikings when asked about Taylor’s future and whether the Seahawks would be interested in him.
“Ed Dodds (Colts interim GM) is running the personnel department there, does have ties to Seattle,” said Rapoport. “Knows John Schneider (Seahawks GM) incredibly well. That whole sort of tree, or whatever, is all sort of the same. By the way, same as Nolan Teasley, who is in Minnesota. Wonder if they can use [a running back] as well. If Jonathan Taylor is available, I would expect many teams to be interested.”
Teasley was hired as the Vikings’ general manager in June. He joined Minnesota after 12 years working in various capacities in the Seahawks’ front office, including alongside current Colts interim GM Ed Dodds from 2013 to 2016.
It was reported earlier this week that Teasley “is open to pursuing a bevy of ideas at the trade deadline.” Could one of those be a move for the three-time Pro Bowl running back? The position is one of four that Bring Me The Sports senior Vikings writer Will Ragatz believes Minnesota is most likely to target ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
What would it take, though, to land Taylor? While no definitive message has been sent from the Colts that they are even considering trading away key players, Rapoport believes the price will be high, with numerous teams sniffing around.
“You know the goal. They don’t have a (first-round pick) because of Sauce (Gardner),” said Rapoport. “You know that’s what they’re going to try to get back. If they have the kind of market, that players never have during the season, then maybe they could get it. Maybe it’s a one, give a little something back.”
Giving up a first for Taylor seems unlikely, especially considering how high the Vikings are on Jordan Mason. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a mock trade between Minnesota and Philadelphia for Saquon Barkley that saw the Vikings giving up only a conditional third-round pick.
So far this season, Taylor has rushed for 492 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. He’s also a receiving threat out of the backfield, averaging 10.9 yards per reception on 15 catches this season. The former Wisconsin Badger has two years left on his contract, which carries cap hits of $21 million in 2027 and $22.9 million in 2028.
Whether Taylor ultimately becomes available remains to be seen. However, Rapoport’s comments suggest the Vikings’ revamped front office could have valuable connections if Indianapolis does begin selling off pieces in the coming weeks.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.