In a surprising turn of events, the Minnesota Vikings have parted ways with running back Xazavian Valladay, a player known for his explosive speed and athletic prowess, as announced by the team. Valladay, a former Pittsburgh Steelers prospect, was cut from the Vikings’ practice squad, marking another chapter in his winding NFL journey.
Valladay, aged 26, joined the Vikings on August 18, 2025, but his tenure was short-lived. The team made a series of roster moves, resulting in his release earlier this week. This move follows a pattern for Valladay, who has bounced around the league since going undrafted out of Arizona State in 2022.
Before landing with the Vikings, Valladay spent time with the New Orleans Saints, signing to their practice squad in November 2024 but was let go in June 2025. His career has seen him associated with several teams, including the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets, yet he has not appeared in an NFL regular-season game.
Valladay’s athletic credentials are undeniable. During the scouting process, he showcased his breakaway speed with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, complemented by a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-3-inch broad jump. These metrics made him a standout undrafted free agent in 2022, earning him a contract with the Houston Texans that included significant guaranteed money. Despite high expectations, the Texans released him just weeks into training camp.
In 2023, Valladay caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their training camp, where his explosiveness as a running back was on full display. However, the Steelers parted ways with him, and the New York Jets quickly signed him to their practice squad. Valladay remained with the Jets for the entirety of the 2023 season and participated in their 2024 offseason training camp. He initially secured a spot on their practice squad but was later cut, becoming a free agent before joining the Saints and, subsequently, the Vikings.
The release from Minnesota underscores the challenges Valladay has faced in securing a permanent role in the NFL. Despite his impressive physical attributes and flashes of potential, he has yet to translate his athleticism into a roster spot for regular-season action. As a free agent once again, Valladay’s speed and versatility could attract interest from other teams looking to bolster their backfield depth.
For now, this latest twist in Valladay’s career leaves fans and analysts wondering where the dynamic running back will land next and whether he can finally break through to make his mark in the NFL.