The Vikings are 7-0, and they’ve gotten there with an offense that resembles the kid on the group project who is just happy to be along for the ride. I don’t think it’s been all bad by any means. But it’s clear that this unit hasn’t carried the team. That’s been the defense.

Let’s try to balance that out by sending Jonathan Taylor to the last lossless team in the NFL in a blockbuster trade deadline move. Here’s why I would push my chips in on this move if I was in charge of the Vikings.

Why the Vikings should go all in

Quarterback Kyler Murray got knocked out, came back in, and still feels like he’s a little bit late to the party. Minnesota has also dealt with injuries to WR Justin Jefferson and in the running back room. The injured Aaron Jones isn’t thought to be dealing with anything more than a day-to-day issue, but nobody knows how banged up he truly is or if he’ll ultimately be available this week.

So I want to add a dimension to this offense and see if it maximizes Murray’s arm and legs. We saw him use those legs on a big play against the Colts this past week. A true workhorse in the backfield should only open things up further.

Meanwhile, the defense is still doing the heavy lifting. When was the last time a defensive unit and a defensive play caller carried the reputation that Brian Flores and this group have right now? They are the Baba Yaga, the Bogeyman, the John Wick of the league. Every team is terrified to face them, and that’s the kind of thing that wins in December and January.

With that kind of cushion already built, the Vikings have to be operating with a “why not us?” mentality. That’s exactly when you push your chips in to add a dimension to your offense like this.

What would Jonathan Taylor cost Minnesota?

It’s not cheap, because Taylor is that good. In my proposal on the A to Z Sports trade simulator, the Vikings send the Colts a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

If you look around at other prognosticators right now, the general thought is that it will take a second-round pick and then some to land Taylor. From a positional value and impact standpoint, I think that’s what Indianapolis would ask for. I also think it’s perfectly fair to wonder if trading for a running back at that price is a short-sighted move that ages poorly.

Here’s why I’m comfortable with it anyways for this team. Taylor is 27 years old, and he’s in that tier of running back that I consider a bona fide bell cow and a true difference maker. Let’s not act like he hasn’t run hard for a long time, because he has. But I don’t think these tires are bald by any means. He still has major juice.

Minnesota would also have two more years of contract control on Taylor after this season, which helps with whoever the Vikings’ next quarterback turns out to be. That passer would get to throw to Jefferson and Addison, and turn around to hand off to Taylor.

Minnesota’s quarterback next year probably won’t break the bank either, as Murray isn’t on his current minimum contract.

Is a run game and defense formula enough?

I asked A to Z Sports Vikings writer Tyler Forness for his take on this trade and whether it would be enough of what the Vikings need to get over the top:

“The idea of a Jonathan Taylor trade is one that has been percolating among the fanbase for the last couple of weeks. The running game for the Vikings right now is one that’s gotten a lot of investment, but the results haven’t been there with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. They rank 26th in EPA/rush and success rate, and there have been opportunities to hit explosives, but they don’t have the dudes.”

“Adding Taylor would be expensive, likely a second-round pick and a little extra to get him, but he would immediately solve their run game issues. The real question is how long will he last as a top back in the NFL? He’s 27 years old with over 2,600 carries since arriving at Wisconsin in 2017. He has two more years left on his deal with no guaranteed money remaining, so the Vikings could opt out essentially at anytime. If he has two years left as a top back, it’s certainly worth the swing for the Vikings, as a much improved run game could be the difference between a Super Bowl caliber roster and another fizzled out playoffs under Kevin O’Connell.”

The bottom line is that the Vikings have built something rare this season with a defense that scares absolutely everybody. Adding Taylor wouldn’t fix every question on offense. But it would give Minnesota a backfield identity that matches its defense, and for a team sitting at 7-0, that’s worth a second-round pick to chase a ring.