An underrated Vikings priority this offseason is fixing a running game that has struggled mightily over the first two seasons of the Kevin O’Connell era. They’ve finished 27th in rushing offense DVOA in each of the last two years. Blocking doesn’t seem like the primary issue; the Vikings’ offensive line is filled with guys who are viewed as excellent run blockers. They also added an elite run-blocking tight end in Josh Oliver last year, yet still saw no improvement. That suggests that it might be a running back problem. Dalvin Cook was among the league’s least-efficient backs in 2022, and Alexander Mattison was even worse as his replacement last season. The Vikings could bring back restricted free agent Cam Akers and run it back with Ty Chandler, Mattison, and Akers in 2024. That would be fairly uninspiring. There’s a strong case to be made that they should look to acquire a new RB who can help fix their running game.

Is there any chance they’d go after the top free agent back on the market this spring? Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently listed the Vikings as one of six potential landing spots for two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley, who leads a group of FA RBs that could include Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, and Austin Ekeler (depending on possible franchise tags).

In New York, Barkley has often had to be a one-man show on offense. The Giants haven’t had many game-changing receivers to help him out. That would change instantly if he signs with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have questions at quarterback going into next season. Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent, and he missed the last half of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles. If Cousins comes back, Barkley could be the final piece for one of the best skill-position groups in the league. If the Vikings turn to a young quarterback, having a strong ground game will become even more important. The Vikings have opted for a “competitive rebuild” approach over tearing things down completely. They face a serious quarterback dilemma this offseason, but signing Barkley would raise the floor of the offense. As long as the Vikings get competent quarterback play, it’s going to be hard to stop an offense that has wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and Barkley. Bringing on the star back would give Minnesota flexibility at quarterback because the offense will be powered by a supercharged group of skill players. It’s certainly fun to imagine an offense featuring Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, and Barkley, and you can understand the point being made about how adding an elite RB would benefit whoever is playing

quarterback for the Vikings this fall. Ultimately, though, it’s very hard to see it happening, for numerous reasons. The Vikings have some cap space, but they’re not swimming in it. They have to pay Jefferson this offseason and they’ll have a big dead cap charge for Cousins if he signs elsewhere. They also have much more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at cornerback and edge rusher. It would be quite surprising if an analytically-focused GM like Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decided to pay top dollar to a running back like Barkley. He’d make the offense better, but it doesn’t seem like it would be worth paying him big bucks instead of spending that money on defensive additions. The more likely outcome is that the Vikings add a less expensive RB and utilize a committee in 2024.