Teasley has to make the trades now to help this offense

If we're going to remain committed to the run and not turning the ball over, we need a premiere RB. Mason and Jones are good players, but they aren't great. Having an actual threat in the backfield who defenses have to pay attention to would make this offense go. If teams continue to shade coverage to JJ, then that RB needs to generate explosives and keep our offense in 3rd and 4 or less. It'll open up looks in the passing game.

Right now we have a grinding offense because our RBs each have ONE explosive play in 6 games (granted Mason has only played in two games) and we don't have any threat back their to load the box and open up single coverage for our receivers. Jonathan Taylor has 5 in a shit offense in Indy... Imagine if we put a RB like that in this current version of our offense?

I was initially hesitant about the Vikings being aggressive at the trade deadline with their laundry list of needs to address this offseason. But as the league’s last unbeaten team and with an offense in desperate need of help, go be aggressive. You’re in too deep.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) October 26, 2026

The time the trade(s) should have taken place was before now. Pending the results of Jones’ MRI this morning, we’re likely backed into a corner and will have to pay out additional draft capital than we could have.

Vikings are a case study. 6-0, headed to the playoffs and we need a thing or two. If ever there were a team who should make a high-level, mid-season, before-the-deadline trade, it's the 2026 Minnesota Vikings.

JustInTime wrote:

The time the trade(s) should have taken place was before now. Pending the results of Jones’ MRI this morning, we’re likely backed into a corner and will have to pay out additional draft capital than we could have.

Jonathan Taylor was never going to be traded to us before yesterday, no way Indy would do that to themselves…

I'm all for making a move because a defense like ours doesn't happen often, but I'm really nervous to pay up for the chance to add another expensive "weapon" to this offense only to see it barely utilized. Addison, Jefferson, Hockenson, Jennings already fall into this category and now we're going to add another mouth to feed. It should work, but will it? The Passtronaut and Cam Robinson had fast success for us recently so it's possible, but I'm skeptical. Again-- Jordan Addison has like 6 catches all year.

pattersaur wrote:

I'm all for making a move because a defense like ours doesn't happen often, but I'm really nervous to pay up for the chance to add another expensive "weapon" to this offense only to see it barely utilized. Addison, Jefferson, Hockenson, Jennings already fall into this category and now we're going to add another mouth to feed. It should work, but will it? The Passtronaut and Cam Robinson had fast success for us recently so it's possible, but I'm skeptical. Again-- Jordan Addison has like 6 catches all year.

Fair concern IMO.

StickierBuns wrote:

Jonathan Taylor was never going to be traded to us before yesterday, no way Indy would do that to themselves…

There are other moves than the Mac Daddy of all moves. An insurance policy would be palatable. Pollard got saddled up and rode to 150+ scrimmage yards. He’s Jones with less plays getting stuffed.

Their handling of Claiborne is vexing. They apparently don’t want to expose him to waivers while simultaneously being unwilling to play him. Inactive yesterday.

I was against RB until Jones got dinged again and then watched Mason drop 2 passes. If we want help that’s the position we need most. I would be ok with a big swing here at 6-0

As was said G and DT could also use upgrades, but I don’t think you give up draft capital to replace Fries or the rookie fatties on D.

Jonathan Taylor only played 67% of the Colts’ offensive snaps against the Vikings, which is his lowest full-time total in two years. Indianapolis’ actions seem to point towards trade talks being very real around Taylor. Many around the NFL expect trade talks to begin this week.

— Evan Sidery @esidery Oct 26, 2026

𝕏 X / Twitter — Evan Sidery @esidery

Jonathan Taylor only played 67% of the Colts’ offensive snaps against the Vikings, which is his lowest full-time total in two years. Indianapolis’ actions seem to point towards trade talks being very real around Taylor. Many around the NFL expect trade talks to begin this week.

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Bullazin wrote:

I was against RB until Jones got dinged again and then watched Mason drop 2 passes. If we want help that’s the position we need most. I would be ok with a big swing here at 6-0
As was said G and DT could also use upgrades, but I don’t think you give up draft capital to replace Fries or the rookie fatties on D.

To be fair... both those throws were way off target from Murray.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

To be fair... both those throws were way off target from Murray.

Trying to be fair , 2 hands on both though right?

MAD GAINZ wrote:

Jonathan Taylor has 5 in a shit offense in Indy... Imagine if we put a RB like that in this current version of our offense?

Been preaching from that hymnal since Dalvin retired...

I swear Viking fans have forgotten what its like to have a back of that caliber. Too many were at peace with Mason/Jones.

RB's are a dime a dozen right? Grab the next one in the 3rd or 4th rd.

Look, they're both great guys, great teammates, but they are change of pace guys and give the starter a breather now and then.

I think our problems are mostly with the guys we have that we wouldn’t be replacing rather than the guys that we would end up replacing.  The Oline as a whole has been struggling more than they should.  In the past Darrisaw and O’Neil were guys you could rely on to lock down their areas.  I no longer have that trust in them.  Kyler and the offensive scheme are still a work in progress.

I still think we’re going to the playoffs with or without expensive new additions.  I think our ability to win a SB is gatekeeped by KOC and Kyler.  If you don’t think that KOC and Kyler can figure out how to get to average or better, you shouldn’t trade away future assets.  That said I think you need to have faith that they’ll figure it out, and try to maximize our chances this year.  It’s only going to be harder when Flores leaves for a HC position and you have to pay your veteran QB.  I probably wouldn’t touch our 1st or 2nd.  I wouldn’t hesitate to trade away some of our lesser draft picks though.  I think if you can steal Quenton Nelson away from the Colts for a 3rd or 4th, you absolutely should.  I think a gamechanger RB should absolutely be on the table, but its secondary to getting quality Oline play.  If there’s a RB that’s not a gamechanger, but is equivalent to Jones or Mason in quality, I’d absolutely consider bringing them in just to solidify the room.  Like if we ended up with Nelson and a RB for some combination of our 2027 and 2028 3rd and 4ths that’s totally acceptable.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

To be fair... both those throws were way off target from Murray.

Yeah a RB out of the backfield shouldn't have to reach back and up to catch a swing pass. That has to be laid out in front so they can run with it.

JustInTime wrote:

There are other moves than the Mac Daddy of all moves. An insurance policy would be palatable. Pollard got saddled up and rode to 150+ scrimmage yards. He’s Jones with less plays getting stuffed.
Their handling of Claiborne is vexing. They apparently don’t want to expose him to waivers while simultaneously being unwilling to play him. Inactive yesterday.

Have they drafted a guy or signed a udfa and given him significant playing time since Kevin was hired? Maybe I'm missing something or someone. It seems like whomever they acquire as rookies just end up sitting on the shelf and eventually leaving.

All that summer talk about new oline coach, new run game, Frank Smith, yada yada. Here we are in the same boat. Can't reliably pick up 3rd and one, get embarrassingly stuffed most times. 5 years of Kevin saying he's gonna fix it this year lol.

I don't think there is any magic player out there to fix the offensive woes. Kyler just doesn't seem to have it and KOC keeps trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with him. If I have to see him stand back there and pat the ball 1 more time, it's 1 too many. This whole offense should be shotgun or pistol, 3 step drop, 2 reads and the ball is gone or Kyler is on his horse running. Anything beyond that and we get this unwatchable mess.

I do believe though that some quality help/depth at RB and DT would be greatly helpful. A Tony Pollard would provide a great amount of insurance, and I believe could be had for a Day 3 pick. Combine Pollard with say a Vita Vea or a Daron Payne and you now have a bit more insurance.

I think the hand wringing and angst among Vikings fans is just this, we are winning games pretty much 1 way. A dominate defense and not turning the ball over. If someone like a Ben Johnson or a Kyle Shanahan puts down a blueprint to at least score 17 points on this defense, as it sits, the Vikings are a .500 team. So we do need to find ways to manufacture at least 20 points.

We all knew what we had with Kyler. Hell the armchair Head Coaches on this board called out what Kyler was in April. Why KOC hasn't figured it out yet is baffling. I think he is stubborn in his "style" in the same vein as Chilly was. He runs his kickass offense and he doesn't want to veer from that. Yes, he is running the ball a bit more, but Kyler is NOT a pocket passer. Roll his ass out and give him a run pass option.

Anyways, I am also available to be the new OC if Wes gets tired of it, although my background is on the D side! :)

medaille wrote:

I think our problems are mostly with the guys we have that we wouldn’t be replacing rather than the guys that we would end up replacing.  The Oline as a whole has been struggling more than they should.  In the past Darrisaw and O’Neil were guys you could rely on to lock down their areas.  I no longer have that trust in them.  Kyler and the offensive scheme are still a work in progress.
 
I still think we’re going to the playoffs with or without expensive new additions.  I think our ability to win a SB is gatekeeped by KOC and Kyler.  If you don’t think that KOC and Kyler can figure out how to get to average or better, you shouldn’t trade away future assets.  That said I think you need to have faith that they’ll figure it out, and try to maximize our chances this year.  It’s only going to be harder when Flores leaves for a HC position and you have to pay your veteran QB.  I probably wouldn’t touch our 1st or 2nd.  I wouldn’t hesitate to trade away some of our lesser draft picks though.  I think if you can steal Quenton Nelson away from the Colts for a 3rd or 4th, you absolutely should.  I think a gamechanger RB should absolutely be on the table, but its secondary to getting quality Oline play.  If there’s a RB that’s not a gamechanger, but is equivalent to Jones or Mason in quality, I’d absolutely consider bringing them in just to solidify the room.  Like if we ended up with Nelson and a RB for some combination of our 2027 and 2028 3rd and 4ths that’s totally acceptable.

The O-line is the primary problem in the run game. They bring in a top rated run specialist and it hasn't paid off. That tells me it is personnel not coaching. That tells me Teasley is the only one that can fix the problem. Bringing in Quenton Nelson would help cure a lot of what ails the Vikings in the run game. Probably more so than bringing in a top running back. It also solves a problem for next year at the position.

The current O-line isn't physically strong enough to get any push or dominate defenses. Championship teams usually can run the ball successfully even when the other team knows they are going to run. That's not the Vikings.

Murray may or may not improve based on what KOC can get out of him. But Teasley holds the keys to a championship run this year.

I agree with you. Improve the O-line and the offense will get much better.

I have to wonder how much we're missing Josh Oliver and Donovan Jackson. A low-cost LG and a good blocking TE might help us more than we think.

But RB would be the real game changer IMO. Mason and Jones are good, solid backs, but they don't force the defense to change the way they play you. Only a back like Taylor or Barkley would do that. Detroit, Buffalo, KC and the 49ers all have backs that require a defense's full attention. As "solid" as our guys might be, they don't represent that kind of threat.