The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the 2025 NFL offseason with one clear mission: rebuild into a playoff-caliber team while remaining competitive in the NFC North. With the departure of long-time quarterback Kirk Cousins, and a retooling phase under head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have both cap space and draft assets to reshape their roster.

While the team has promising young talent—most notably wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison—there are still key gaps that need to be filled to contend for a deep playoff run. Free agency is one path, but if Minnesota wants to make a serious leap, aggressive trades may be the smartest strategy.

Here are the 2 best players the Vikings must target in a trade this offseason:

1. Brian Burns, EDGE – Carolina Panthers

If the Vikings want to be a true contender, improving their pass rush is a top priority, and Brian Burns could be the perfect solution.

The 26-year-old Pro Bowler has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling Carolina Panthers defense. In five seasons, Burns has notched over 45 sacks and consistently ranks among the top edge rushers in QB pressures and win rate. His combination of speed, bend, and explosiveness off the line would immediately elevate the Vikings’ front seven.

While the Vikings had moments of defensive improvement in 2024 under coordinator Brian Flores, they lacked consistent edge dominance—especially against elite quarterbacks in crunch time. Burns would provide that missing element and instantly become the face of the defense.

With Carolina in a rebuilding phase and Burns heading into the final year of his contract, the Panthers may be willing to part with him for a first-round pick and additional mid-round compensation. For the Vikings, that price could be worth it if they want to win now while Jefferson is in his prime.

2. Tee Higgins, WR – Cincinnati Bengals

While wide receiver isn’t the most urgent need for the Vikings, adding Tee Higgins opposite Justin Jefferson would create one of the league’s most dangerous duos—and provide massive support for a young quarterback like J.J. McCarthy or a veteran placeholder.

Higgins has quietly been one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL over the past four seasons. At 6’4”, he offers a rare combination of size, athleticism, and route-running savvy. In Cincinnati, he’s often played second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase, but Higgins is a No. 1 receiver in his own right and has multiple 1,000-yard seasons to prove it.

With the Bengals prioritizing a future extension for Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow, Higgins is likely the odd man out in their long-term financial plan. A sign-and-trade could benefit both sides, and the Vikings could lock him in as a future weapon with Jefferson—possibly the best WR pairing in the NFL.

More importantly, Higgins would take pressure off Jefferson, preventing constant double-teams and allowing the offense to stretch the field more effectively. For a Vikings team that often struggles in third-down and red-zone situations, Higgins’ presence could be the key to more scoring consistency.

Final Thoughts

The Vikings are in a fascinating spot heading into the 2025 offseason. They’re not in full rebuild mode, but they’re also not yet Super Bowl-ready. The additions of Brian Burns and Tee Higgins would change that narrative quickly.

Aggressively targeting these stars via trade would send a message to fans and the rest of the league: Minnesota is serious about winning now.

Whether they make one or both of these moves, one thing is certain—the Vikings must be bold this offseason if they want to return to playoff prominence.