The Minnesota Vikings escaped Sunday with a 16-10 win over the Colts, but the way they reached 6-0 strengthened the case for trade help at running back, guard, and defensive tackle before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Minnesota's latest win exposed familiar offensive problems rather than solving them. The Vikings produced 265 total yards, needed until the fourth quarter to score their first touchdown, and watched Aaron Jones aggravate the knee that has bothered him this season.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis says Minnesota has already explored the trade market, while The Star Tribune's Ben Goessling has indicated the Vikings plan to be active before the deadline. The three positions drawing the most attention also happen to match what Sunday's win exposed.
Vikings have a real running back question after Aaron Jones' injury
Jones leaving Sunday's game pushed running back from a useful upgrade to a position Minnesota has to examine seriously.
Jordan Mason's return helped. He rushed 15 times for 68 yards and showed he can handle a lot of early-down work. That also creates the strongest argument against spending heavily at the position.
Jones still gives the offense more flexibility on passing downs, but his recurring knee trouble makes depth behind him a necessity. For a team expecting to play deep into the playoffs, adding another reliable back is just sensible.
The Vikings have been linked to adding another runner in Jonathan Taylor, but they don't need a blockbuster. A cheaper back with receiving ability and more explosiveness could make more sense than surrendering premium draft capital.
Guard remains the Vikings' clearest offensive trade need
Minnesota's offensive line survived Indianapolis, but survival isn't the standard for a team thinking about January.
Donovan Jackson's torn meniscus removed one of the most promising pieces of an interior line that had finally begun to stabilize. Joe Huber has filled in, but Minnesota already knew Jackson's injury created a significant problem.
Sunday reinforced it.
Kyler Murray finished with just 150 passing yards, and Minnesota didn't reach the end zone until a 35-yard fourth-quarter scramble set up T.J. Hockenson's touchdown. Murray's mobility can erase a protection loss, but it shouldn't become the offense's answer to every one.
There goes @K1 🏃
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 25, 2026
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/3tym4nXhOh
Kevin O'Connell needs enough interior stability for Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the passing game to let longer-developing concepts breathe. Minnesota also needs more dependable movement in the run game so drives don't keep falling into difficult down-and-distance situations.
A capable veteran guard might affect more offensive snaps than any other realistic deadline addition. Goessling's postgame reporting on Minnesota's deadline plans only strengthens the logic of exploring that market.
Defensive tackle would strengthen what already works
Defensive tackle is different because Minnesota's defense ranks No. 2 in the NFL. Brian Flores isn't trying to repair a failing unit.
Minnesota held Indianapolis to 10 points, sacked Daniel Jones four times, and leaned on its defense again as the offense struggled. Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Minnesota's younger interior defenders have already performed better than many expected.
That makes a trade less urgent, but not less interesting.
Indianapolis rushed for 154 yards, the most Minnesota had allowed in a game this season. Taylor repeatedly found productive carries before Flores tightened the game with pressure and coverage.
Another veteran defensive tackle could help Minnesota manage snaps, strengthen the run defense, and give Flores another chess piece without displacing the young players who have earned roles.
That kind of move can look excessive in the fall but essential in winter.
A struggling team should protect draft picks and developmental snaps, but a 6-0 Vikings team with a defense capable of carrying it deep into the NFC playoffs has more reason to reinforce a strength.
Nolan Teasley doesn't need to make a big splash. Running back would protect Minnesota against another Jones absence, guard would address the offense's clearest structural weakness, and defensive tackle would deepen the unit that carries this team.
Detroit and Buffalo arrive before the deadline, giving Minnesota two difficult tests to determine which of those three needs deserves the biggest investment.
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