Buckle up, Vikings Nation—the NFL trade deadline is barreling toward us like a runaway freight train, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler just lit the fuse on Minnesota’s biggest potential moves. With Tuesday’s cutoff looming and the league poised for a historic flurry of deals, Fowler has pinpointed Aaron Jones and Ivan Pace Jr. as the Vikings’ most likely players to be shipped out. At 3-4 and stuck in no-man’s-land—not tanking, not contending—the Vikings are reportedly ready to wheel and deal.
Aaron Jones: The Veteran RB on the Block
Fowler didn’t mince words: “Notable trade candidates: RB Aaron Jones Sr.” The 30-year-old (turning 31 in December) is healthy again after missing four games with a hamstring injury, but his $10 million 2026 salary—$2 million of it already guaranteed—makes him a prime cap casualty. Minnesota is expected to move on this offseason anyway. Why not cash in now?
“Would a team like the Chargers be willing to essentially pay $3 million to have Jones in its lineup for the rest of 2025?” — Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
The math is brutal for a contender: $1 million left in 2025, plus the prorated 2026 hit. For a playoff-hungry team, that’s pocket change for a proven dual-threat back. Jones torched defenses as a receiver in Green Bay; even in his “twilight,” he’s a clear upgrade over rookie stopgaps.
Realistic return? A 5th- or 6th-round pick. No one’s giving up a 4th for a 31-year-old RB—but a late Day 3 selection for a rental with juice left? That’s doable.
Ivan Pace Jr.: The Fallen Star LB
The bigger shock? Ivan Pace Jr., the undrafted darling of 2023, has fallen out of the starting lineup and played just 17 defensive snaps over the past two weeks. Once a tackling machine, Pace has been benched twice—first for Eric Wilson, then overshadowed by Blake Cashman’s return.
Fowler’s intel: “Pace, a restricted free agent after the season, has tackling woes and limited snaps.”
Youth is his only leverage. At 24, he’s a reclamation project with upside—but right now, he’s expendable. Expected haul? A 6th- or 7th-rounder, maybe bundled with a Vikings pick to move up slightly. Daydreaming about a 5th? Only if a linebacker-desperate team falls in love.
The Chargers Connection: A Perfect Match?
NFL writer Ben Strauss doubled down on the Jones-to-Los Angeles buzz:
“The Chargers and Vikings could help each other out by agreeing to an Aaron Jones trade. LA feels like the perfect destination.”
With Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on IR, the Chargers are leaning on rookie Kimani Vidal. Jones would be an instant upgrade—especially as a pass-catcher—and his workload would drop once Hampton returns. Meanwhile, Minnesota has Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott ready to carry the load.
It’s a win-win: Vikings shed salary, Chargers get a playoff boost.
The Bigger Picture: A Franchise in Limbo
The Vikings are in a weird spot. Down to five picks in 2025 (with a compensatory 3rd coming), they’ve already burned capital on aggressive moves. The defense—once Brian Flores’ calling card—ranks 25th in EPA/play outside of one fluky Bengals game. J.J. McCarthy’s ankle injury has stalled the rebuild. At 3-4, they’re not bad enough for a fire sale… but not good enough to buy.
Fowler notes: “The Vikings might follow Houston’s footsteps—trade veterans, stockpile picks, reset.”
Other Names in the Mix (If Jones & Pace Stay)
If the top two don’t move, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could still tap:
Javon Hargrave (DT) – Aging, expensive, movableT.J. Hockenson (TE) – Big cap hit, injury historyJeff Okudah (CB) – Former top pick, underperformed
The Clock is Ticking
Sunday’s showdown at Ford Field against the Lions will tell all. A loss drops Minnesota to 3-5—prime sell territory. A win? Maybe they hold pat.
But one thing’s clear: Aaron Jones and Ivan Pace Jr. are officially on the trade block. The names are out. The phone lines are open. And the NFL world is watching.
Deadline: Tuesday. Tick-tock.