Washington Commanders huge receiver Deebo Samuel stands on the sector earlier than motion throughout a street matchup towards the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran playmaker was photographed on September 28, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the place Washington continued its regular-season schedule and leaned on Samuel’s versatility as a key offensive weapon. Necessary Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Pictures
The Minnesota Vikings are concluding their first week of organized crew actions as we strategy June within the NFL calendar. Coaching camp is simply across the nook — lower than two months away — and the rumor mill is already heating up.
This week’s headlines embrace an intriguing idea about Deebo Samuel, recent commerce discussions relating to Anthony Richardson, and a possible quarterback shift for the Vikings in preparation for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Welcome to the Purple Rumor Mill for Could thirty first — that is the second version of the weekend.
Vikings WR and QB Rumors, Some past the Summer season
San Francisco 49ers huge receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. breaks free downfield on his method to a protracted landing towards Seattle. The play occurred on October 10, 2024, at Lumen Subject, the place Samuel showcased his trademark velocity and run-after-catch capability throughout a division matchup towards the Seahawks in prime-time motion. Necessary Credit score: Steven Bisig-Imagn Pictures
Rumor: Deebo Samuel stays a free-agent match for the Vikings, in line with Bleacher Report.
Nonetheless accessible for any crew to signal, BR’s Alex Kay wrote about Samuel this week, “The Washington Commanders moved on from Deebo Samuel after a single season, but the 30-year-old wideout should still have something left to offer another team as he gears up for his third NFL act. Samuel can be a dangerous playmaker when he possesses the football.”
“He’s amassed 800 or more yards from scrimmage and scored at least four touchdowns in all six of his healthy seasons — only missing those marks during an injury-shortened 2020 sophomore effort — and averages nearly 11 yards per touch on his career.”
Samuel appeared like a wise Vikings choice previous to the Jauan Jennings addition. Then, when Jennings entered the combination, followers assumed he alone was sufficient to finish the WR room.
Kay continued, “While Samuel wasn’t a great fit in Washington and was limited by the lack of talent under center following Jayden Daniels‘ injury woes, he still managed to score six touchdowns on just 89 touches in 2025. He was a YAC machine — nearly two-thirds of his receiving yardage came after the catch — and he can be relied on to churn respectable gains if he gets the ball in space at his next stop.”
“Any team seeking a versatile weapon who can line up at multiple offensive positions, as well as contribute on special teams, should have interest in Samuel. Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots.”
It could be fairly wild if the Vikings signed Samuel after Jennings, but it surely evidently can’t be dominated out.
Rumor: The Vikings may commerce for Anthony Richardson.
Analyzing commerce situations for the league’s most tradeable gamers, ESPN’s Seth Walder landed on the Vikings as Richardson’s subsequent employer.
He wrote, “Seth Walder’s offer: Colts get: 2027 fifth-round pick. Vikings get: Richardson. Why this deal makes sense: Richardson can come to the Kevin O’Connell school of quarterbacks and learn behind another mobile QB in Kyler Murray, who is on just a one-year contract with Minnesota.”
“Richardson’s deal expires in 2027, too, but his acquisition would give the Vikings more options going forward. Maybe Murray works out great and becomes the long-term starter in Minnesota. Or maybe Murray heads elsewhere and the Vikings see enough growth from Richardson to keep him around.”
The Colts drafted Richardson in 2023, and credible intel claimed Minnesota would’ve been had he tumbled down the draftboard.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson goes via pregame warmups earlier than taking the sector towards the Los Angeles Rams. The preparation occurred on October 1, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the place Richardson continued his rookie marketing campaign whereas constructing expertise because the Colts’ younger franchise quarterback. Necessary Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Walder added, “In this scenario, the Vikings could keep both Richardson and J.J. McCarthy (though that’s a pretty risky backup room) or deal the latter in another trade. For Indianapolis, it can land a little draft capital now in exchange for a third-string quarterback.”
Stephen Holder from the identical community added, “The win-win here is Walder’s offer from the Vikings. First, it gives the Colts a fifth-rounder without a pick swap like Solak’s offer from Detroit. And Minnesota’s fifth-rounder will likely come earlier than Green Bay’s fifth-rounder, giving this deal the edge over Fowler’s pitch.”
Just like the Samuel idea, this one is a protracted shot: Minnesota already has Murray, McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer at quarterback.
Rumor: Minnesota is a dark-horse franchise to draft a Spherical 1 quarterback subsequent April.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid browsed the entire 2027 quarterback class and opined on the article’s conclusion, “What is a sleeper team to watch at quarterback? Minnesota Vikings. They are in the middle of a QB competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, with Carson Wentz behind them as the QB3.”
“If Murray and McCarthy don’t drastically improve from what they put on tape last season, Minnesota could be looking for its next franchise signal-caller as soon as the 2027 draft.”
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers throws passes throughout pregame warmups earlier than a street contest towards Ole Miss. The scene unfolded on November 1, 2025, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, the place Sellers ready for an SEC matchup whereas persevering with his emergence as one of many convention’s most promising quarterbacks. Necessary Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Pictures
If the Vikings are compelled to make use of a 1st-Spherical choose on a quarterback subsequent April, it’ll really feel just like the franchise is beginning yet again.
Right here’s to hoping Murray or McCarthy pan out.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
