Latest NFL news potentially opens the door for the Minnesota Vikings to fix their run defense with one simple move
The run defense for the Minnesota Vikings has been an issue so far this season.
Through five games, the Vikings have allowed 132.2 yards per game on the ground, which ranks them 25th in the NFL. However, they are only allowing 289.8 yards per game, which ranks sixth in the NFL. They are still first in the league in EPA/play on defense at -0.12, but that drops to 25th in EPA/rush, which is positive at 0.008.
Many will look at the trade of Harrison Phillips as the catalyst for these issues, and there is a possibility the Vikings could find his replacement, making a move that fits general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Vikings could trade for Travis Jones to fix their run defense
Tuesday afternoon saw a couple of trades across the NFL, and one of them stood out in a big way. The Baltimore Ravens traded a promising young edge rusher in Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers.
This is a little bit surprising on the surface with the issues on the defense the Ravens have, but they likely believed that Oweh either wasn't going to re-sign or they didn't have him in their long-term plans. They do have some young players at edge rusher in Mike Green and David Ojabo, who can step in for Oweh, and they can have Gilman help out their pass defense on the back end.
That leads to the all important question: are the Ravens going to be having a fire sale now that they are 1-4? If they do, the Vikings should inquire about nose tackle Travis Jones.
A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones has been a constant on the defensive front for the Ravens. It isn't just about stopping the run with Jones; he can do a little bit of everything. You don't want him to be a designated pass rusher, but he can push the pocket and absorb multiple blockers with his 6-4, 338 lb frame. He can also do a nice hump move that would make him and Jonathan Allen friends.
So far this season, Jones has played 175 snaps, including a whopping 63 against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, where he posted season-high Pro Football Focus grades of 81.1 overall and 84.4 against the run.
The nice part about Jones is that he is a free agent after the season, so you can move on from him if you want, or the Vikings can extend him to be a long-term constant on the defensive front. It would be redundant to bring in Jones when they just traded away Phillips, but there is one thing that would eliminate that: money.
Phillips was set to make a base salary of $7.5 million next season, all of which is now off the books. Giving Jones a contract would allow them to continue to be smart about how they structure the money moving forward.
The cost wouldn't be a lot since he's a nose tackle, likely something like a fifth-round pick, which the Vikings currently have one from the Eagles, plus the possibility of up to three compensatory picks coming for the 2026 NFL Draft.
It would be both an admission that the trade was a mistake, but also a positive since they got younger and more athletic at the position.
Would the Vikings make this move? They may want to wait for Blake Cashman's return to see how the run defense looks with him back in the fold. Even so, Jones could make a major impact on the run defense right now.
Shedeur Sanders Responds Sharply to Questions About Remaining Backup After Gabriel Named Starter
Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback for the team, has reacted strongly to questions surrounding his role as a backup, despite his strong performance in practice and competition for the starting position. After Gabriel was chosen as the starting quarterback, Sanders voiced his frustration in a candid and pointed interview, sparking significant media attention.
“I don’t get it,” Sanders said when asked about not being named the starter. “I’ve worked my ass off, and I’ve shown what I’m capable of. But here I am, still sitting behind someone else. It’s frustrating. I don’t think the decision reflects my effort or what I bring to the team.”
The decision to start Gabriel over Sanders has raised eyebrows, as many observers have been impressed by Sanders’ poise and leadership abilities. However, head coach’s decision to go with Gabriel has left Sanders feeling overlooked, and his sharp response in the interview reflected his disappointment with the situation.
“I’m not here to just sit around and watch,” Sanders continued. “I want to play. I want to prove I can lead this team. If they want to keep me as the backup, that’s their choice, but it’s not going to stop me from pushing myself and pushing the guys around me.”
While Sanders' frustration is understandable given his ambitions, the team's decision has not been explained in full detail. However, the young quarterback remains determined to prove that he deserves the starting role, regardless of the current situation.
“It’s all about the opportunity to prove myself,” Sanders concluded. “I’m ready when my number is called. I’ll be ready to show what I can do, and I won’t stop fighting for that starting spot.”
As the season progresses, Sanders will likely continue to keep his eye on the starting job, determined to prove that he has what it takes to lead the team when given the chance.
