The Minnesota Vikings are a trending team to make some moves at the trade deadline. Any number of positions could be on the table.
The Vikings have surprised this year despite being one of the least spending team in the NFL offseason in free agency. Salary cap inflexibility hamstrung their ability to make big moves. Still, Minnesota has found a way not only to stay in the NFC North division race but lead it with a perfect 5-0 start to the season.
Having gotten off to such a fast start, now many believe the team could be in line to maximize its potential and go for a deep playoff run. NFL analysts are talking about it as the trade deadline approaches.
Erick Strack of the Minnesota Sports Fan updated the latest on trade rumors for the Vikings. Here's some of what he had to say on that front.
"On The Alec Lewis Show, he tripled down on his reports from KFAN and The Athletic earlier in the week, telling his YouTube and podcast audience that the MN Vikings will be 'very active and aggressive' in trying to find trade partners before the deadline..
Lewis even adding that he's more "convicted and confident" a deal will get done this year than he has been the past couple seasons, before Teasley arrived as general manager.
If Teasley does make a move, he has limited cap room to work with. Minnesota has about $6.08 million in cap space, which makes it hard to add a big contract without sending salary back the other way.
Draft capital is easier to find. The Vikings hold nine 2027 picks, including their own first-, second- and third-rounders, plus a second third-rounder from Philadelphia in the Jonathan Greenard trade.
More than likely, rumors will only heat up from here. On Monday, the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling reported something very similar to Lewis, regarding the Minnesota Vikings' plan to be "active" at the trade deadline."
Obviously, the Minnesota offense is the place where the most improvement can be made. The Vikings have been a bottom six offense in the league for much of the season so far. Still, one can't rule out Minnesota making its strength even stronger with key defensive additions.
The Vikings have a shot to get back to the NFC Championship game if they can eliminate some of their weaknesses. They will hope to do that as the deadline approaches.