The Minnesota Vikings have vaulted from preseason underdogs to 5-0 NFC North leaders, defying early forecasts that projected an 8.5‑win season. While quarterback Kyler Murray’s impact remains modest and health‑hit, the defense has surged to the league’s top unit by points allowed, EPA and DVOA, and special teams now rank first, highlighted by All‑Pro punter Will Reichard and returner Myles Price. Analysts flag the Vikings as a potential "fraud" because their projected finish (11‑6) lags behind the typical 13‑4 record for teams starting 5‑0, largely due to a relatively easy first‑half schedule and tougher opponents ahead. The piece weighs these analytics against the team's current dominance across offense, defense and special teams.
Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond is set for a big raise, and second‑year nose tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez is on the same trajectory. The 2024 seventh‑round pick has earned a starting role, logging five starts with 9 tackles, a sack, 3 QB hits and 2 tackles for loss, and could see his modest $4.13 million rookie deal swell after his third season. Minnesota’s youthful D‑line—now featuring seven players under 27—has thrived under new coach Ryan Nielsen, prompting speculation about early extensions before Rodriguez’s contract expires. Keep an eye on Week 7 against the Colts as both DTs continue to anchor the trench work.
Kyler Murray’s improving efficiency could help the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings turn their offense into a stronger complement to Brian Flores’ defense.
The Minnesota Vikings could force Daniel Jones into tough decisions if Brian Flores exploits the Indianapolis Colts' pass-blocking issues.
The Minnesota Vikings announced they have signed CB Natrone Brooks to the practice squad. Brooks, 26, started his career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College before transferring to Southern Miss. He signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft, but was cut coming out of the preseason and re-signed to the […]
The post Vikings Re-Sign CB Natrone Brooks appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co .
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell may revisit veteran Cooper Rush as a hidden quarterback depth option after the Falcons released him to make room for Andy Dalton. Rush, who spent a brief stint at Minnesota’s rookie minicamp and has 44 NFL game appearances, could join the Vikings’ practice squad, bolstering a QB group that now includes Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. O’Connell’s earlier comments hinted at using Rush if injuries strike—a concern that haunted the Vikings in 2023, 2025 and this season. The move comes as Minnesota prepares to face the Indianapolis Colts.
The Packers sit 4-2 in the NFC North, trailing the 5-0 Vikings, and head to Detroit for a crucial road game. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports on the Pat McAfee Show that star pass rusher Micah Parsons remains at least a couple of weeks away from practice, with head coach Matt LaFleur confirming he won’t practice this week. Parsons, acquired in a 2025 blockbuster trade, is still recovering from an ACL tear, casting doubt on Green Bay’s playoff hopes and prompting questions about further defensive moves.
The Vikings’ pass‑rush star Dallas Turner continues to shine, but the team may have lost another edge talent. LB Jihad Ward, who rejoined Minnesota’s practice squad on Sept. 9, 2026 after a productive 2025 season with the Titans (31 tackles, 5 sacks, 22 QB hits), was released by the Giants and is now a free agent. The Vikings’ dominant defense—anchored by Turner, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre—could benefit from Ward’s size and scheme familiarity if they act quickly, especially before Week 7 against the Colts.
The New York Giants made a pair of cuts on Tuesday, and both players could catch the attention of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Daily Norseman’s guide helps Vikings fans stretch a game day into a full Minneapolis‑St. Paul adventure. It recommends family‑friendly stays like Great Wolf Lodge’s 75,000‑sq‑ft indoor water park, romantic options such as Hotel Ivy with a spa and pet‑friendly vibe, and flexible Airbnb rentals. Off‑the‑field activities include a quirky visit to Eden Prairie Center (the Mallrats filming site), the hands‑on Minnesota Children’s Museum, and year‑round trolley tours ranging from classic sightseeing to ghost and true‑crime themes. The piece aims to turn a three‑hour game into a weekend of fun.
The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 with three weeks until the trade deadline, and the trade chatter continues to grow louder.
The NFL’s new flex‑schedule rules could push the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 8 clash with the Detroit Lions into Sunday Night Football, replacing the struggling 2‑4 Eagles‑vs‑1‑4‑1 Commanders game. The Vikings sit 5‑0, while the Lions are 3‑2, making the matchup attractive, but the league must give 12‑day notice and juggle a rule requiring one home‑and‑home divisional game in a noon slot—already set for Week 15’s prime‑time meeting. If flexed, the Vikings would enjoy three prime‑time appearances in four weeks (SNF Week 8, MNF Week 9, SNF Week 11 in Mexico City). The decision is expected soon.
Justin Jefferson heads into the Vikings’ Week 7 showdown with Indianapolis on Oct. 25, poised for a big night thanks to Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner’s calf injury. Jefferson has already eclipsed his 2025 touchdown total, recording 3 TDs and a 2‑point conversion in five games (8‑92‑2 in Week 1, 6‑79‑1 in Week 5). While his yardage has been modest, the loss of Gardner – a two‑time Pro Bowl All‑Pro – should make it easier for Jefferson to break the 100‑yard mark and add to his scoring pace against a 2‑4 Colts team that recently fired its GM. Kickoff is 12:00 p.m. CT Sunday.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are releasing K Riley Patterson. Barry Jackson reports the Dolphins are also releasing CB Storm Duck from the PUP list. Patterson, 27, wound up going undrafted out of Memphis back in 2021. He later signed a rookie contract with the Vikings but was waived coming out of the preseason. […]
The post Dolphins Releasing K Riley Patterson & CB Storm Duck appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co .
The Giants released outside linebacker Jihad Ward on Tuesday, three weeks after signing him off the Vikings' practice squad. He played two games and made one tackle.
The Vikings have taken the first step toward bringing RB Jordan Mason back from IR, designating him to return to practice ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 25. Mason, 27, logged 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown in the season‑opening 39‑22 win over Green Bay before a thumb fracture sidelined him. Last season he posted 758 yards and six TDs on 159 carries (4.8 YPC). His return could ease the workload on Aaron Jones as Minnesota aims to stretch its 5‑0 start to 6‑0.
The attempt by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton to troll the Minnesota Vikings after the 2024 NFL Draft has aged terribly.
The Minnesota Vikings, sitting 5-0, are poised to go aggressive at the trade deadline, according to The Real Forno Show. Host Tyler Forness names DE DeForest Buckner as the top target—a third‑round pick and a token sixth could bring the 6‑foot‑6, 34‑inch‑arm man to mentor rookie Caleb Banks. Other realistic moves include acquiring CB Cam Bynum (third‑round, fifth‑round, plus Theo Jackson for a fourth), adding RB Saquon Barkley for a third‑round and fifth, and considering a costly but risky QB Justin Herbert or guard Quenton Nelson. The show stresses a pass‑rush priority, noting Jalen Redmond, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner already log heavy snaps, while affirming head coach Kevin O’Connell stays. The episode offers a full trade‑sim breakdown for fans weighing the Vikings’ Super Bowl push.
As their Week 7 opponent surely shifts into sell-mode, the Minnesota Vikings should have several Indianapolis Colts players on their trade deadline radar.
The Vikings enter their 2026 bye‑week unbeaten at 5‑0, echoing the perfect start of 2024 when Sam Darnold’s squad went 14‑3 before a first‑round playoff loss. The post invites fans to submit nature‑themed haiku “bye‑kus” celebrating the streak, while highlighting key players—JJ Watson, Carson Wentz, Kyler Murray, K’Andre Cox, and kicker Will Reichard—along with a stout defense that has allowed just six touchdowns. The blog teases the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast and a hopeful push toward deeper playoff success.
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On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings designated RB Jordan Mason to return from injured reserve, meaning he can begin practicing with the team again this week.
Bears Bears backup quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum spoke about Bagent’s performance, but after QB Caleb Williams returned to the starting lineup and had a great game, both will return to the bench for now. “Obviously super disappointed, but really can’t look any further than the mirror,” Bagent said, via The Athletic. “Got to get better. Got to take it face […]
The post NFC Notes: Matthew Golden, Christian Watson, Bears, Packers, Vikings appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co .
Ryland's walk-off field goal was his career-high sixth made kick of the day. His previous career high was five made field goals in 2024 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings sit 5-0 after their bye week but must revamp a lagging offense to sustain success. At just nine touchdowns—the league’s third‑lowest—the unit struggles to finish drives, with two red‑zone fumbles and reliance on field goals. Key injuries have sidelined left guard Donovan Jackson and hurt players like TJ Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Jordan Mason, though Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson have returned. Coach Kevin O’Connell must engineer quicker starts, aiming for scores in the first two drives when the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. Boosting scoring, health, and early offensive momentum are the three focus areas.