Vikings Rumors: Minnesota could be in the market for a veteran RB

Swirling around in the middle of some of the latest Minnesota Vikings rumors is some speculation that they could be in the market to sign a veteran running back soon.

Earlier this year, the Minnesota Vikings made the decision to move on from longtime starting running back Dalvin Cook. In Cook's place at the top of the running back depth chart for the upcoming 2023 season, the Vikings have decided to go with Alexander Mattison.

Minnesota has made it very clear over the last few months that Mattison is their top running back this year. But behind him, there seem to be more questions than answers.

The Vikings want Mattison to get most of the workload in the offensive backfield in 2023, but they also need to have a good backup plan in case he has to miss time due to injury. Based on some of the reports coming out of Minnesota's training camp this summer, the team's No. 2 running back might not be on the roster yet.

Vikings Rumors: Minnesota signing a veteran RB this summer would not be surprising

The Athletic's Alec Lewis recently revealed that Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler currently appear to be competing to be the Vikings' No. 2 running back. There are still a few weeks for someone to emerge, but Lewis shared that neither Nwangwu nor Chandler "has run away with the job."

Lewis also mentioned that he would not be surprised if the Vikings went out and signed "a veteran [running back] who has experience with a considerable early-down workload."

Looking at some of the veteran running backs that are still available, if Minnesota were to sign one, they would probably be interested in someone that's not going to come in and challenge for Mattison's spot on the depth chart.

So while notable names like Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette would generate headlines, the Vikings would probably target someone like J.D. McKissic, Darrel Williams, Malcolm Brown, and David Johnson.

Minnesota could also be keeping an eye on some of the running backs that might be let go during the next few weeks. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown he's not afraid to make a trade either, so that's something to keep in mind as well.

It will be interesting to see how things shake out during the next month. Will Nwangwu or Chandler emerge as Minnesota's No. 2 running back, or will the Vikings end up having to look outside of their locker room for help behind Mattison?