The Minnesota Vikings are exploring the trade market in search of veteran wide receivers.
Minnesota Vikings Searching For Veteran WRs
With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources.
All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster. pic.twitter.com/9dRToHdgvY
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 20, 2025
The Vikings are looking for depth at receiver.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Minnesota is “seriously exploring” veteran receivers in the trade market.
Minnesota moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason in favor of JJ McCarthy. Part of the reason why Darnold succeeded can be attributed to the Vikings’ talent at wide receiver.
That same talent is currently injured or slated to miss games to start the season.
All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with a hamstring injury and should be OK to play in Week 1.
Jordan Addison, the team’s No. 2 wideout, is suspended for the first three games of the season. Addison received a DUI citation in 2024 and violated the league’s substances of abuse policy.
The Vikings lost Rondale Moore for the season to a knee injury suffered this preseason. Plus, Jalen Nailor has a hand injury and is considered week-to-week.
If Jefferson’s hamstring does not heal in time for Week 1, it’s entirely possible that the Vikings’ No. 1 receiver would be Tai Felton or Lucky Jones.
Potential WR Targets For The Vikings
Reminder: #Vikings J.J. McCarthy has had a couple throwing sessions with Adam Thielen the last two off-season 👀 pic.twitter.com/JV73y1FzBX
— cdott (@jjmccaurathy) August 20, 2025
If the Vikings are looking to trade for a veteran wide receiver, the best one out there is Terry McLaurin. It’s a pipe dream, but McLaurin is not practicing for the Washington Commanders due to a contract dispute.
McLaurin initially held out of training camp and requested a trade. Since then, McLaurin has reported to training camp, electing to hold in and not practice.
McLaurin is entering the final year of his three-year, $68 million contract extension. The wide receiver’s average annual salary is around $23 million. For someone with his production, McLaurin should be making over $30 million per year.
While the Commanders have shown no signs of wanting to trade McLaurin, the situation could get worse between now and Week 1, opening the door for another team like the Vikings to offer a trade.
More realistic options that the Vikings should consider are Carolina’s Adam Thielen and New York’s Allen Lazard.
Thielen had his best years as a professional while playing for the Vikings from 2013 to 2022. The Panthers have a young core of receivers, including Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker. Moving on from a veteran like Thielen to play the younger prospects makes sense.
The same logic of moving on from a veteran to play younger options can be applied to Lazard and the Jets.
If the Vikings do make a trade, they could elect to wait for teams to cut players over the next week before the 53-man roster deadline on Aug. 26.
