Vikings Dream Trade Prediction Lands Saquon Barkley as Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason Near Free Agency

PFF calls a Saquon Barkley trade to the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings a fairy tale, and prying him loose would cost the Eagles $35 million in dead cap.

by Andrew Hughes

Oct 22, 2026

Oct 11, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back Aaron Jones (33) against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings fans have spent the bye week hoping for a splash at the trade deadline, and PFF’s Bradley Locker just offered the biggest one imaginable. In his list of 10 fairy-tale trades ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, Locker sent Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to Minnesota.

Nothing here comes from reporting. PFF labels these fairy-tale trades, and Locker describes every player on the list as very unlikely to be traded. Moving Barkley now would leave Philadelphia with $35 million in dead cap. The Eagles are 2-4 after four straight losses, though, and an AP source said Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season with blood clots. “I miss him. I know that will be the case,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.

Why Barkley fits Minnesota’s backfield plan

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Minnesota is undefeated through five games for the second time in three seasons, but the running game has lagged behind Brian Flores’ defense. The Vikings rank 23rd in rushing EPA per play, according to PFF, and their backs have forced nine missed tackles, the fewest of any team. Aaron Jones has carried the load with 410 yards and two touchdowns on 97 carries. Jordan Mason broke his thumb in the opener and returned to practice this week.

Both Jones and Mason are free agents after the season, which leaves the Vikings without a long-term answer at the position. Barkley’s contract carries cap hits through 2028, starting with $9.9 million this year, and Minnesota has about $13.6 million in space.

Fans at U.S. Bank Stadium would be buying a name with some wear on it. Barkley ran for 2,005 yards in 2024, but his PFF rushing grade since then is 77.6, 26th among backs with 100-plus carries. He has 182 yards on 36 carries in four games this year after a hamstring injury against the Rams, and the Eagles’ struggling run game has not helped. We wrote this week that Seattle could make a blockbuster trade for him too. For Minnesota, the question is whether a 29-year-old back is worth the price for a team that already has the defense to contend.