In a surprising move ahead of their “Thursday Night Football” clash with the Los Angeles Chargers on October 23, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings made a bold roster decision, waiving rookie linebacker Kobe King to clear space for the return of running back Aaron Jones to the active roster.
The Vikings selected King, a 25-year-old Penn State product, with the No. 201 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite high hopes for his contributions, particularly on special teams, King’s role was limited during his brief stint with the team. He appeared in five games, logging 77 special teams snaps and recording four tackles, but saw only three defensive snaps this season. In his final college season with the Nittany Lions, King showcased his potential with 97 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup.
As VikingzFanPage noted on X, “The #Vikings are waiving rookie LB Kobe King to make room for Aaron Jones, per the team. The 6th-round pick only played 3 defensive snaps this season, and was primarily used on special teams.” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert had previously highlighted King’s potential, stating on April 26, “King will get an immediate chance to contribute on special teams but also has a chance to provide depth behind starting inside linebackers Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace.” Seifert also noted that defensive coordinator Brian Flores likely had plans to leverage King’s strengths near the line of scrimmage. However, with limited opportunities, the Vikings opted to part ways with one of their five 2025 draft picks, though NFL roster moves are fluid, and King could potentially return to the team in the future.
The decision to waive King paves the way for Aaron Jones, a dynamic running back whose return is expected to reinvigorate Minnesota’s offense. Sidelined since Week 2 with a hamstring strain, Jones has been limited to 13 carries for 46 rushing yards and three receptions for 44 yards, including one touchdown, in 2025. His absence has been felt, particularly in the passing game, where his change-of-pace ability adds a dimension the Vikings have lacked.
In Jones’ absence, running back Jordan Mason has performed admirably, rushing for 380 yards and four touchdowns. However, Mason’s contributions in the passing game have been minimal, with only nine receptions for 34 yards. Jones, a proven pass-catcher with at least 47 receptions in five of his eight NFL seasons, brings a versatility that could diversify an offense struggling for consistency. Since backup quarterback Carson Wentz took over for the injured J.J. McCarthy in Week 3, leading the Vikings to a 48-10 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota has gone 1-2, averaging just over 21 points per game.
The Vikings’ quarterback situation remains in flux as they face the Chargers. J.J. McCarthy, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, was hoped to return for this primetime matchup. However, as SI’s Albert Breer reported, “After going through the paces, McCarthy told the staff that the high ankle sprain wasn’t quite all the way back yet. And the staff decided to err on the side of caution and hold McCarthy out one more week, giving him 10 days of runway to prepare for a titanic Week 9 game against the Lions.” As a result, Carson Wentz will start, with Max Brosmer as the backup and McCarthy relegated to the third-string/emergency role.
Entering the game as 3.5-point underdogs, per ESPN BET, the Vikings are banking on Jones’ return to spark their offense against a formidable Chargers team. While the decision to cut Kobe King may surprise fans, it reflects the NFL’s fluid roster dynamics and the team’s prioritization of immediate offensive impact. As Minnesota navigates a challenging season, all eyes will be on Jones and Wentz to deliver in primetime, with hopes that McCarthy’s imminent return will provide a long-term boost.