The Minnesota Vikings could certainly be in the market for some support in the run game, after Aaron Jones went down in week 2 and landed on short-term injured reserve.
Jordan Mason, who was already shaping up to take over as the lead back since coming over from the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent this past offseason, is now the main guy, but the depth behind him is incredibly thin.
The team only has Zavier Scott on the active roster, whilst veteran and now-three time Viking, Cam Akers, was elevated to the game-day squad last weekend during the 48-10 blowout win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Scott is a 2023 undrafted free agent with ability, but he has not shown enough for the team to truly entrust him to be the #2 back, let alone the 1b, if O’Connell decides he wants to his running back room to be one by committee.
Vikings Trade Proposal Has Them Take One Of The Chiefs’ Running Backs
So in this trade proposition, the Vikings look to the AFC – specifically, the Kansas City Chiefs – to acquire running back help.
The Chiefs have hardly been a benchmark for good running back play, and could well end up having to make a trade for another back themselves. But they do have multiple players that can play at RB: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell.
Smith has actually been the most productive back on a yards/carry metric, whilst Mitchell has barely seen any action despite being a known competent back in the league.
Thus, it could be in the Vikings‘ interest to take one of backs off of the Chiefs hands, specifically, Kareem Hunt, in exchange for a small amount of draft compensation.
Why A Trade For Kareem Hunt Makes Sense For The Vikings
Mason has single-handedly contributed nearly 60% of the Vikings‘ total run yards on the season. And there is no doubt that the former 49er is a good player – he averaged 5.2 yards/carry last season in San Francisco in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey.
But in the modern game, no RB can put a whole franchise’s rushing attack squarely on their shoulders. And right now, there are no bona fide solid options for O’Connell on the roster after Mason, with Jones and former fifth round pick, Ty Chandler both landing on IR.
So a play for Hunt would make sense. Since 2022, the former Cleveland Brown has seen a big drop off in his play, going from 4.9 in 2021 to 3.8 the next year, having never gotten above 4 YPC in any subsequent season since.
But he is an experienced back who has been a part of multiple teams and played under numerous schemes. O’Connell has always found a way to get the most out of offensive skill players – and given both Hunt’s questionable past antics and his advanced age – he turned 30 in August – the team will not have to give up very much for him at all.
Minnesota Vikings receive: Kareem Hunt
Kansas City Chiefs receive: 2026 seventh round pick
Vikings Trade Prop Hauls In Controversial Pro Bowl RB