The Minnesota Vikings are staring down a golden opportunity to bolster their running game, and they might just pull off the steal of the offseason. With Aaron Jones sidelined on short-term injured reserve since Week 2, the Vikings’ backfield depth is razor-thin, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is in desperate need of a reliable complement to his new lead back, Jordan Mason. Enter a proposed trade with the Kansas City Chiefs that could land Minnesota a seasoned, battle-tested running back for the bargain price of a 2026 seventh-round pick. The target? None other than Kareem Hunt, a 4,056-yard veteran who could be the missing piece in the Vikings’ ground attack.
The Vikings’ running game has been a one-man show this season, with Jordan Mason carrying the load. The former San Francisco 49er, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent this offseason, has been a revelation, accounting for nearly 60% of the team’s rushing yards. Last season, he averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per carry while filling in for an injured Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. But even a talent like Mason can’t shoulder the entire rushing attack alone—not in today’s NFL, where depth and versatility are paramount.
Behind Mason, the Vikings’ options are sparse. Zavier Scott, a 2023 undrafted free agent, is the only other running back on the active roster, but he’s yet to prove he can handle a significant role. Veteran Cam Akers, a three-time Viking, was elevated for the team’s 48-10 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals, but his temporary status underscores the lack of long-term solutions. With Ty Chandler also on IR alongside Jones, O’Connell’s backfield is a patchwork operation at best. The solution? Look to the Kansas City Chiefs, where a surplus of running backs could make for an ideal trade partner.
The Chiefs’ backfield is crowded with talent, including Isiah Pacheco, Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell, and Kareem Hunt. While Smith leads the group in yards per carry and Pacheco remains the primary option, Hunt has been underutilized despite his proven track record. Since his standout 2017 rookie season with Kansas City, where he racked up 1,327 yards and led the NFL in rushing, Hunt has amassed 4,056 career rushing yards across multiple teams. Though his production has dipped in recent years—averaging 3.8 yards per carry since 2022—he remains a reliable, experienced back who’s thrived in various offensive schemes.
For the Vikings, Hunt represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. At 30 years old, he’s no spring chicken, and his off-field controversies have lowered his trade value, making him an affordable target. A seventh-round pick in 2026 is a negligible price for a player of Hunt’s pedigree. O’Connell has a knack for maximizing offensive talent, and Hunt’s versatility as a runner and pass-catcher could make him a seamless fit in Minnesota’s system. Whether as a complementary piece to Mason or a lead back in a committee approach, Hunt’s addition would provide much-needed stability.
For Kansas City, trading Hunt makes sense. Their backfield is stacked, and with Pacheco and Smith commanding touches, Hunt’s role has been limited. Mitchell, another capable back, has also seen minimal action, further crowding the depth chart. Offloading Hunt for a draft pick, even a late one, allows the Chiefs to streamline their roster while giving a proven veteran a chance to shine elsewhere. Kansas City’s run game hasn’t been a strength this season, and they may need to pursue their own reinforcements, making this trade a practical move.
If the Vikings pull off this deal, it could go down as one of the savviest moves of the summer. Trading a 2026 seventh-round pick for a running back with Hunt’s experience and production is the kind of low-cost, high-impact acquisition that championship-caliber teams make. With Mason leading the charge and Hunt providing a dependable backup, Minnesota’s running game could transform from a question mark to a strength overnight. For a team with playoff aspirations, this trade could be the spark that ignites a deep postseason run.
Proposed Trade Details:
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Minnesota Vikings receive: RB Kareem Hunt
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Kansas City Chiefs receive: 2026 seventh-round pick
In a league where depth can make or break a season, the Vikings have a chance to turn a small investment into a massive payoff. If this trade goes through, Minnesota fans might just be celebrating a daylight robbery that lands them a 4,056-yard machine for pennies on the dollar.