The Los Angeles Chargers have gotten their season back on track with a recent win against the Minnesota Vikings. Currently holding a 5-3 record, the Chargers find themselves in a tight race within the AFC West division, competing closely with the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. As the NFL trade deadline approaches, there is speculation that the Chargers might look to add talent to boost their chances in the second half of the season.

One intriguing trade possibility involves a player swap between the Chargers and Vikings, centered around running back Aaron Jones. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently suggested that Minnesota could consider moving on from Jones to save money, as the team seems poised for some retooling next offseason.

“Moving on from Jones might be more about saving money than anything else. He is owed just over $1 million in 2025 and has $2 million of his $10 million compensation in 2026 guaranteed, a deal the Vikings are likely to move on from this offseason,” Barnwell wrote. “Would a team like the Chargers be willing to essentially pay $3 million to have Jones in its lineup for the rest of 2025?”

Los Angeles appears to be an ideal destination for Jones. The Chargers have had to rely on Kimani Vidal due to injuries to Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, who are both on injured reserve. Jones would clearly be a short-term upgrade to the Chargers’ backfield.

Meanwhile, Minnesota still has running backs Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott, who could manage the team’s carries for the remainder of the season. Jones remains a capable receiving back, even as he enters the later years of his career, and would add a valuable dimension to the Chargers’ offense.

**Vikings Urged to Trade Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. Amid Slow Start**

In addition to Aaron Jones, Barnwell also recommended that the Vikings consider trading linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. at the trade deadline. “Pace, who has fallen out of the starting lineup and played just 17 defensive snaps over the past two weeks, is a restricted free agent after the season,” he noted.

Minnesota finds itself in a challenging position as a franchise. The team has invested heavily in young players, especially quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but those investments have yet to fully pay off. With limited draft capital available in the future, executing one or two key trades could significantly improve the Vikings’ outlook moving forward.

“The Vikings had only five picks in 2025, and at 3-4, they haven’t looked like a team that can make a deep playoff push this season,” Barnwell added.

Given their current standing, the Vikings make sense as sellers at the trade deadline. However, they may opt to keep their full roster intact for McCarthy’s crucial sophomore season. That said, if the team’s record falls to 3-5 following their upcoming game, they might reconsider and hit the panic button.

As the trade deadline looms, both the Chargers and Vikings could benefit from making strategic moves that align with their long-term goals. Fans will be watching closely to see how these potential trades unfold.
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