The Minnesota Vikings' perfect start to 2026 hit a speed bump on Sunday with a divisional loss to the Detroit Lions, and suddenly the offensive questions are getting louder. The team's inability to put points on the board has reignited trade speculation, but one prominent analyst says the Vikings are looking in the wrong direction.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes Minnesota should pivot from the rumored pursuit of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and instead target Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones. In his Monday column, Florio laid out a compelling case for why the Vikings should act quickly.
“The Vikings had Jones in the building two years ago, after he was released by the Giants. They wanted to keep him for 2025, more (by all appearances) than they wanted to keep Sam Darnold,” Florio wrote. That history, combined with Jones's current situation in Indy, makes him an attractive option for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Florio points out that Jones is clearly not the long-term answer for the Colts, who have already signaled a rebuild by trading guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. “Jones obviously won’t be the long-term answer in Indianapolis,” he added. “And he would undoubtedly welcome the chance to move on from a team that prematurely threw in the towel last week.”
The analyst didn’t mince words about the upgrade Jones would provide under center. “In Minnesota, Jones would be an immediate upgrade over Kyler Murray,” Florio stated, referencing the current Vikings quarterback situation. “The Vikings have a championship-caliber defense, thanks in large part to the work of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The grind-it-out-and-get-a-win formula had been working — until it didn’t.”
Florio’s conclusion is blunt: “The Vikings need to realize that: (1) the defense is great; (2) the running game is good enough; and (3) the passing game is too spotty to be expected to make a big play in a big spot.”
The frustration is boiling over in Minnesota, with star receiver Justin Jefferson refusing to speak to the media after the loss. The team’s offense has been inconsistent, and the pressure is mounting in a loaded NFC North where every game matters. If the front office doesn’t make a move soon, an incredible start could quickly unravel.
While the Jonathan Taylor trade buzz has dominated headlines, Florio’s argument shifts the focus to a quarterback who knows the system and could step in immediately. The Vikings’ defense is built to win now, and adding a veteran like Jones might be the spark the offense needs to keep pace with the league’s elite.
As the trade deadline approaches, Minnesota faces a critical decision. Do they bolster the backfield or upgrade the most important position on the field? Florio’s advice is clear, and the clock is ticking.
