Texans Vs Jags

JustInTime wrote:

Don’t get the angst?
The bulky knee brace on Jones causes me some angst.
Mason missing time causes me angst.
Our O now being predicated on running with pretty flimsy RBs causes me angst.
I got angst enough for the both of us

lol, injuries suck so much. Maybe its just me but it sure seems more problematic early this year than in year's prior (around the league). Nothing can F up a plan more quickly....

Not to mention Claiborne is the only RB under contract in 27

The argument for me isn't so much about depth (a definite need) vs this offense needs a difference maker in the backfield. Someone who makes the DC job that much harder on how to play their Safeties and LB's.

I see what Bijan, Gibbs, Taylor and Walker do for their offenses - it's what would take a KOC offense to a whole nother level

Sadly, I think a lot of Viking nation has forgotten what it's like to have someone of that pedigree in the backfield. Dalvin Cooks’ last game here was in 1/23.

purplefaithful wrote:

The argument for me isn't so much about depth (a definite need) vs this offense needs a difference maker in the backfield. Someone who makes the DC job that much harder on how to play their Safeties and LB's.
I see what Bijan, Gibbs, Taylor and Walker do for their offenses - it's what would take a KOC offense to a whole nother level
Sadly, I think a lot of Viking nation has forgotten what it's like to have someone of that pedigree in the backfield. Dalvin Cooks’ last game here was in 1/23.

I loved Dalvin, miss that guy....but someone on this board has got me thinking......

StickierBuns wrote:

I loved Dalvin, miss that guy....but someone on this board has got me thinking......

I think about Dalvin every time I watch the Bills offense...

StickierBuns wrote:

Why are some fan bitching about RBs?? The Vikings are 12th in rushing yardage and that's with most teams playing 6 games compared to 5. I don't get the angst. Look around the league and see the injuries for RBs, its everywhere. Mason is coming back, AJ has been stellar....where is the team missing drafting a RB higher? Of course in hindsight, a pick here or there might have made some sense.....but in hindsight.
Bolster away if need be, but it better be for lower comp before the trading deadline.

Because we are 5-0, the defense is amazing, Flores is still our DC, the offense is coming around. We are Viking fans, we have to have something to bitch about.

JustInTime wrote:

Not to mention Claiborne is the only RB under contract in 27

That is rough when you think about it. Brosmer is the only QB under contract as well.

StickierBuns wrote:

I loved Dalvin, miss that guy....but someone on this board has got me thinking......

It works

Canthony wrote:

That is rough when you think about it. Brosmer is the only QB under contract as well.

Hopefully by year's end there will be one the team is actually interested in signing. Otherwise, clear the decks for all I care.

JustInTime wrote:

Don’t get the angst?
The bulky knee brace on Jones causes me some angst.
Mason missing time causes me angst.
Our O now being predicated on running with pretty flimsy RBs causes me angst.
I got angst enough for the both of us

Injuries happen, I've seen several of the name sprinkled in here as previos RB options that have missed, or are set to miss, extended time so its not like we passed on bulls for the china shop.

JimmyinSD wrote:

Injuries happen, I've seen several of the name sprinkled in here as previos RB options that have missed, or are set to miss, extended time so its not like we passed on bulls for the china shop.

The plan by the Vikings at RB has produced results, that's the bottom line. Mason, the bell cow, is returning. That 'bumper' crop of RBs in the Draft that some opine for has had lesser-than results aggregate to date. Injuries galore league-wide, nothing new there.

StickierBuns wrote:

The plan by the Vikings at RB has produced results, that's the bottom line. Mason, the bell cow, is returning. That 'bumper' crop of RBs in the Draft that some opine for has had lesser-than results aggregate to date. Injuries galore league-wide, nothing new there.

We have been fine so far this season, but if we keep giving Aaron Jones 20+ touches per week... he won't make it to Thanksgiving.

It'll be nice to have Mason back, but it would be nice to have a younger option that is ready to contribute. Maybe Claiborne gets there, but it is a little concerning he was so lightly used the past month while Mason was out.

I think it's totally fair to say we should have grabbed a guy in that deep 2025 class. But you are right, it hasn't killed us and it was our previous GM's poor decision making. We can probably let it go...

MAD GAINZ wrote:
I think it's totally fair to say we should have grabbed a guy in that deep 2025 class. But you are right, it hasn't killed us and it was our previous GM's poor decision making. We can probably let it go...

That's been my only point, they had a plan that involved not drafting a RB...that plan has worked so far....and now Mason comes back who is going to be RB1. They know AJ can't handle the full load, but they also knew Mason was coming back and AJ did perfectly in his absence. If they trade for another RB, completely fine by me, but its not imperative. But a rotational depth piece could very well be in the cards here soon.

RB is like the least important position on offense or defense and given their short careers the last one you should fill. I say that with only slight hyperbole. It wasn’t a huge miss to focus draft resources on positions that matter more.

That said, I think the roster is pretty well settled and it’s probably a good time to go get a difference maker at RB.

medaille wrote:

RB is like the least important position on offense or defense and given their short careers the last one you should fill. I say that with only slight hyperbole. It wasn’t a huge miss to focus draft resources on positions that matter more.
That said, I think the roster is pretty well settled and it’s probably a good time to go get a difference maker at RB.

I agree, including the part about getting a difference maker at RB, but at what cost? Do you give up a second and third this year and a second next year for Jonathan Taylor? That's a lot, but he might be worth it, especially drafting in the high 20s/low 30s.

Barring an injury, I don't think the Vikings need to trade for a running back this year.

Not sure people realize how good Jordan Mason is. Career 5.0 YPC. Last year, among RBs with 100+ carries, he was 9th/49 in yards after contact per attempt. pic.twitter.com/FmAbQrQazY

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 20, 2026

1. "Barring an injury ..." We have 2 functional RBs. Mason has already been injured this year. Jones is an older back who has a long injury history and has been overused because of the Mason injury. And we are not even one-third of the way into our season. "Barring an injury" is like telling me barring a fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane, I don't need homeowners' insurance. No kidding. Tony Pollard would be great insurance.

2. We have 3 games left before the trade deadline. If we can go toe-to-toe with the Lions and Bills, we may want a difference maker at RB. Mason and Jones are good, but they are not explosive, homerun threats. Taylor or Saquon would be expensive, but if they can really help our chances of getting to the NFCCG, it may be worth it.

dadevike wrote:

"Barring an injury ..." We have 2 functional RBs. Mason has already been injured this year. Jones is an older back who has a long injury history and has been overused because of the Mason injury. And we are not even one-third of the way into our season. "Barring an injury" is like telling me barring a fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane, I don't need homeowners' insurance. No kidding. Tony Pollard would be great insurance.
We have 3 games left before the trade deadline. If we can go toe-to-toe with the Lions and Bills, we may want a difference maker at RB. Mason and Jones are good, but they are not explosive, homerun threats. Taylor or Saquon would be expensive, but if they can really help our chances of getting to the NFCCG, it may be worth it.

Trading Barkley now would trigger a $26 million dead-money charge in 2027. It also would avoid $16 million in 2027 pay owed to Barkley. I am not saying it isn't doable, but a pre-June trade doesn't seem likely. I think he would get traded in the off-season if he does.

What is the fascination with Tony Pollard? He's 29 and not that big of a RB. Former college WR/RB that converted to RB as an NFL rookie. He's not that explosive anymore and averaging 3 yds per reception.

I get he's cheap and could be available, but I would much rather have Kimani Vidal if we're adding a RB. He could be available and cheap to acquire and is a lot more explosive at this point in his career. Good receiver and averaging 5 ypc this season.

Everytime someone mentions trading for Tony Pollard I wanna puke.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

What is the fascination with Tony Pollard? He's 29 and not that big of a RB. Former college WR/RB that converted to RB as an NFL rookie. He's not that explosive anymore and averaging 3 yds per reception.
I get he's cheap and could be available, but I would much rather have Kimani Vidal if we're adding a RB. He could be available and cheap to acquire and is a lot more explosive at this point in his career. Good receiver and averaging 5 ypc this season.
Everytime someone mentions trading for Tony Pollard I wanna puke.

I guess the question is which RB outside of Jonathan Taylor is demonstrably better potentially than Mason? This wasn't a knee injury for Jordan, it was a thumb....he's going to be very fresh for the remainder of the year. I'm looking forward to seeing the guy play myself. 👍

Who knows if Indy would even part with him....this is really the only play I think that moves the needle for me. I don't think the Eagles are in the headspace to trade Barkley:

"Enter Jonathan Taylor. Whether the Indianapolis Colts would part with their best player just over two months after they signed him to a two-year contract extension (the third-largest deal for a running back in NFL history) is unknown, but with general manager Chris Ballard fired and coach Shane Steichen potentially on his way out the door, too, this franchise could be headed toward a tear-down. Teams will call about Taylor. Minnesota needs to make sure it is in the conversation."