Rondale Moore signed with the Vikings after spurning the division rival Chicago Bears. He wasn’t in line for significant wide receiver reps, but he looked like a key contributor on special teams and someone who would be relied upon during Jordan Addison’s upcoming suspension.

Unfortunately, it took a single punt return to end his season for a second-straight year, leaving the game with an apparent knee injury that immediately was reported as “significant”.

Rondale Moore confirmed done for Minnesota Vikings

Moore took the punt from left to right and was tackled on the sideline, in what some might view as a “hip drop tackle”. No matter, it resulted in the former Purdue superstar being carted off the field.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings confirmed Rondale Moore’s diagnosis as a season-ending knee injury, though Darren Wolfson (KSTP) reported on “Purple Daily” (SKOR North) earlier in the day that his injury is NOT an ACL issue.

Tests confirmed WR Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s preseason game.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 12, 2025

“We don’t have the exact update. I know on Instagram he posted, “Blessed.” I was told it’s not an ACL. Kevin O’Connell postgame on Saturday alluded to a serious knee injury. I’m told, for whatever it’s worth, the most common knee injury is a torn anterior cruciate ligament. I’m told it’s not an ACL, but we don’t have the exact diagnosis.”

Darren Wolfson – SKOR North

After tearing his right ACL last season, the knee injury for Moore this time around appears to be in his left knee. It’s unfortunate news for a Minnesota Vikings team already thin at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is still working his way back from a hamstring strain, and Jordan Addison is staring down his upcoming suspension.

Without Moore, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will need to figure out alternatives at both wide receiver and punt returner. They have just a few weeks left until kicking off Week 1 in Chicago against the Bears.

Brian Asamoah sent packing by MN Vikings

Minnesota used a third round pick on Brian Asamoah in the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared primed for a more significant role on defense, early in his career, but he never realized that potential.

He entered training camp on the roster bubble, before surprisingly becoming an early camp cut on Tuesday. The Vikings announced the cuts of Asamoah and Zeke Correll, along with the Rondale Moore update.

The #Vikings have waived Brian Asamoah II, waived/injured Zeke Correll and placed WR Rondale Moore on IR. https://t.co/Vcdaiv4iqa pic.twitter.com/Edm6UQekyI

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 12, 2025

Asamoah payed 46 games across three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He tallied just 30 tackles in that span, none of them being for losses or a sack. After 119 defensive snaps (11%) as a rookie in 2022, he combined for only 69 total defensive snaps the past two seasons.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Claim New Offensive Lineman

Minnesota did utilized Asamoah on special teams, even if he wasn’t a heavy part of their defensive plan. Without a path to improved playing time, however, the Vikings decided they were ready to move on, and likely wanted to give Brian additional time to find a new team.

Zeke Correll was signed as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, following the 2025 NFL Draft. He played in 13 games last season as a senior for the Wolf Pack. Now, he will be looking to keep his professional football career alive.

The answer to that question was just 12 plays, though he drove the offense down the field to set up a Will Reichard field goal. After some back and forth, and the backups taking over, Minnesota forced Houston’s first punt.

Rondale Moore spurned the Chicago Bears to join the MN Vikings. He is among the leading options to return punts this season for Kevin O’Connell. Unfortunately he left on a cart after doing just that.

Rondale Moore leaves for Minnesota Vikings

Last season Rondale Moore missed the entire season for the Atlanta Falcons after tearing his right ACL. The Texans punted to Minnesota, Moore returned the kick left-to-right, and never got up after being dragged down at the sideline.

pic.twitter.com/5Uht65g7Ql

— Isaiah Hager (@theisaiahhager) August 9, 2025

A few of the guys have walked to the opposite sideline to kneel/pray for Rondale Moore pic.twitter.com/Eg14k8VBTW

— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) August 9, 2025

The tackle was awkward looking and seems like something between a hip-drop and horse collar variety. Moore immediately clutched his left knee area.

As Moore was carted to the locker room, it was his left leg that was fully extended on the cart, with his right leg bent. He left the field with a towel over his head and multiple teammates expressed their emotions while the veteran wideout remained on the ground.

Moore was a second round pick in 2021 out of Purdue. When healthy he has shown exceptional speed in the open field. Unfortunately he has missed significant time in two of his four professional seasons and this didn’t look good either.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Reveal Preseason Kick and Punt Return Plans

During Moore’s final season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, he played in 17 games (8 starts) and tallied 352 receiving yards on 40 receptions.

What now for MN Vikings receivers?

The Minnesota Vikings were already growing thin at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games of the season.

Rondale Moore was not in line to work as a top-three wide receiver, but he has significant snaps over the course of his career and was going to factor in on special teams. Minnesota should have already been considering alternative options. Now that seems like a certainty.

Related: 4 Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Consider Acquiring

There are a few names that make a good deal of sense. There isn’t a lot left on the open market, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to leave no stone unturned. This roster is too talented to come up short on the fringes.

Currently Over the Cap has the MN Vikings still hoarding nearly $25 million in cap space. There aren’t a ton of straightforward places for them to use that, and one may have just presented itself.

Beyond just the preseason, Minnesota will be without starting wide receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the year. Justin Jefferson is working his way back, but currently nursing a hamstring injury as well.

The success of McCarthy’s first season under center will largely be reflective of those around him. Kevin O’Connell may need to consider getting him some additional wide receiver help.

Multiple wide receivers sidelined for Minnesota Vikings

With the preseason opener nearly upon them, the MN Vikings had a lighter practice session on Thursday. Even with it not being full go, the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer pointed out just how many wide receivers were on the sidelines.

Jefferson missed a 10th consecutive practice because of a left hamstring strain suffered July 24. Darrisaw has been rotating in and out while recovering from last year’s knee injury.

Receiver Rondale Moore did not practice, but is expected to play against the Texans. The Vikings were thin at receiver on Thursday without Jefferson or Moore, and with receiver Jalen Nailor in a red, no-contact jersey while dealing with an undisclosed issue apparently suffered on Wednesday.

Star Tribune

We have known about Jefferson’s injury for some time. Moore and Nailor being unavailable is new. While it sounds like neither will be long term issues, the lack of availability is alarming.

The cast of characters for McCarthy could quickly be nameless if Moore or Nailor were to miss real reps. Addison is already off the table, and that leaves names like draft pick Tai Felton, Dontae Fleming, Myles Price, Robert Lewis, Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, and Silas Bolden.

That group shouldn’t instill much fear into an opposing secondary even if Justin Jefferson is lined up on the opposite side of the field. Nailor is coming into a contract year, and he has grips on the WR3 role, but that may be expecting to much.

Related: 4 Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Consider Acquiring

Even disregarding Addison’s suspension, and the injuries piling up, it could behoove Minnesota to look at alternative options. The next goal has to be getting these guys healthy, back on the field, and keeping them there.

The last time we saw the Vikings’ 2024 No. 10 overall pick wear game day purple and gold, he was balling out one year ago in his NFL preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

While McCarthy’s return is at the top of everyone’s mind, there are other storylines Saturday worth paying attention to. And one thing that is sure to stand out this weekend for casual Vikings fans who have gotten used to NFL kickoffs being a perfect time for a bathroom break or beverage refill.

Big changes coming to NFL kickoffs this season

One of the biggest changes to National Football League games in 2025 is, yet again, on special teams. This offseason, the league voted to essentially eliminated the “touchback” on kickoffs passively by moving the start line for a receiving team that catches and/or downs the ball in its own end zone to the 35-yard line.

Thus, Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels and his staff are predicting that 90% of kick returns in the league this season will be “returnable”. That’s because kicking teams are now expected to almost exclusively kick the ball short of the end zone, in order to force a return and avoid a 35-yard touchback.

Another NFL rule change — enticing more kickoff returns by moving the touchback line up to the 35-yard line — has special teams coordinator Matt Daniels expecting “90 percent of kicks” to be returnable in the preseason as coaches try to prepare their coverage groups.

Andrew Krammer – Star Tribune

Related: Former QB Says MN Vikings Wanted Him to Play Worse

This plan adds onto the changes in NFL kickoffs last year, where both the receiving and kicking teams lineup near one another, and from a standstill start. Those major tweaks were made to encourage more kickoff returns, while also making kickoffs safer.

The latter objective was not met, after the 2024 rule extended touchbacks out to the 25-yard-line, from the previous 20-yard marker. So in 2025, the NFL took the more extreme step of moving touchbacks out to the 35-yard-line, which will surely do the trick.

Obviously, this new rule puts an increased amount of importance on the kick returner position that we haven’t seen in nearly a decade. That’s why all NFL teams (including the Minnesota Vikings) are putting a lot more thought into who will be their kick returner for 2025.

Minnesota Vikings announce initial plans at kick and punt returner

And the first players who will get their shot at the job this preseason, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels revealed Thursday, are 22-year-old rookie 3rd round pick, WR Tai Felton (Maryland), along with 27-year-old speedster running back, Ty Chandler.

Daniels also announced the first player who will get his shot at returning punts, newly acquired 25-year-old playmaking WR, Rondale Moore. Interestingly, there are few Vikings players with NFL punt return experience, one of them being highly-compensated CB1, Byron Murphy Jr.

Receiver Tai Felton, the rookie third-round pick out of Maryland, and running back Ty Chandler are expected to be back there for the Vikings during Saturday’s preseason opener against the Texans.

Moore will get the first crack at punt returner.

“The idea is for us to get Rondale in there early and often,” Daniels said. “There are really only three guys that have caught an NFL punt: Rondale Moore, [receiver] Lucky Jackson did it in the preseason, and then you’ve got Byron Murphy Jr. on the defensive side.”

Star Tribune

Ty Chandler, Tai Felton land kickoff return duties

Ty Chandler has returned a total of 12 kickoffs during his three year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He’s gained 302 return yards on those attempts, averaging 25.2 yards per return. He has yet to house a kickoff… but maybe that changes in 2025.

Rookie receiver Tai Felton fits the returner description, but didn’t do it much at Maryland (26 total returns). We’ll see how he looks with his opportunities against the Houston Texans. His performance could go a long way toward defining his first year role in Minnesota

MN Vikings will give Rondale Moore first crack at punt returns

Rondale Moore, who will not be the first kick return option Saturday, is the most experienced NFL punt and kick returner of the bunch, though he hasn’t done either regularly since 2021. That season with the Arizona Cardinals, Moore returned 21 punts for 171 yards (8.3 YPR) and 13 kicks (291 YPR).

For now, the Vikings have him focusing solely on punt returns. Like Chandler, Moore has yet to score a return TD and has struggled in the past with ball security on returns, something that will not be allowed with the Minnesota Vikings.

#Packers recover the ball on the 3-yard line after Rondale Moore gets his fingers on the punt #GoPackGo

pic.twitter.com/qp0UT6GCNe

— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) October 29, 2021

J.J. McCarthy is now under center, protected by what appears to be the best offensive line this team has had in years, if not decades. The defensive front has also been reconstructed, and is now being touted as the best in football by some pundits.

Then, there is wide receiver, where Jalen Nailor has been trying to earn the job for the past two seasons, after K.J. Osborn held it down before him. So far, the results have been mediocre. And now, there is a new crop of pass catchers in camp, which has many surmising a drop in usage for Nailor.

Jalen Nailor is locked in as WR3 for Minnesota Vikings

Last year Jalen Nailor played 17 games (with seven starts) as the third wide receiver. He hauled in 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns. With Jordan Addison staring down the barrel of what could be a three-game suspension, the Minnesota Vikings need more out of their third wideout in 2025.

But if you think newcomers like Rondale Moore, Tai Felton or Silas Bolden have the inside track to take Jalen Nailor’s job, think again.

SKOR North’s Phil Mackey, Judd Zulgad and Darren Wolfson have all been at training camp this week, keeping an eye on the early practice reps of these wide receivers. One thing standing out early is just how far ahead Nailor is than the rest of his WR3 “competition”.

“I don’t think it’s close. That being said, I’m uber excited about Tai Felton’s future. Right now, to me it’s not much of a battle. Jalen Nailor is clear-cut wide receiver three. I spoke with him also, post practice. It was brief. I was curious about his number change, 83 to 1, and just how big of year this is. Heck, he could have an impact on special teams. He’s got some return capability. Yes, there hasn’t been extension dialogue.

Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily

This is a big year for Nailor. As a sixth round pick, this is the final year of his rookie contract. Like Patrick Jones II did this offseason, it’s a perfect opportunity for Nailor to cash in on the open market. As Phil Mackey noted earlier in the Purple Daily segment, that would be a great thing for Minnesota if he can factor into the compensation pick equation.

Here’s some J.J. McCarthy to Jalen Nailor pic.twitter.com/q6iK9Y1Q9n

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 23, 2025

Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are both high caliber options for the Minnesota Vikings. The team knows it. J.J. McCarthy knows it. The opposition knows it. That’s why someone like Nailor is such an integral part of the offense. If he can establish himself as another reliable option, he’d pair nicely with T.J. Hockenson as additional reads.

There is room for Nailor to grow from both a pass catching and route running perspective. He showed a need to develop further at times last year, and the more he can erase that feeling the better off the roster will be.

What to make of the MN Vikings other wideouts

Rondale Moore is probably the closest competition Nailor will have for his WR3 duties early on this year. The 25-year-old was injured last year, but has the same experience in the NFL that Nailor does. He was signed as a free agent this offseason and brings 39 games (23 starts) of exposure under his belt. Moore has just three career receiving touchdowns, but worked as one of Kyler Murray’s consistent targets in Arizona.

Moore is still more than likely to work on special teams in the return game. Rookie wide receivers often take time to acclimate at the highest level. It’s unlikely that Maryland product Tai Felton hits the ground running right away. His future development is something to be excited about, as Wolfson notes, however.

Related: 3 Underrated MN Vikings to Watch at Training Camp

Ultimately the Minnesota Vikings would like to see Jalen Nailor take another step forward this season. It’s plausible that his role expands with a potential suspension coming for Jordan Addison.

There will be opportunity to produce behind him, but Kevin O’Connell needs Nailor to be a reliable and consistent option for his new signal caller.

But just like any other season and every other team, in order for the Vikings to reach their ceiling this year, the best players on their roster need to stay healthy and produce to their capabilities. We’ve seen injuries derail promising teams in the past, and there’s no doubt the 2025 Vikings have plenty of injury concerns entering camp.

Christian Darrisaw played just seven games in 2024, after he blew out his knee in LA against the Rams. After surgery, there are a lot of questions surrounding whether or not he will be ready for the start of the regular season.

The same can be said for two MN Vikings newcomers, top incoming free agent (RG) Will Fries, who fractured his tibia in week 5 last year. Another nube entering camp limited due to injury is new depth wide receiver, Rondale Moore, a former 2nd round pick out of Purdue, another guy who lost all of 2024 to a knee injury.

Minnesota Vikings lead 2025 training camp with good news on the injury front

Tuesday afternoon, however, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell met with reporters to kick off training camp, and one of his first orders of business was a good news update on the injury front, where he reported that none of the three key pieces above are expected to be placed on the “Physically Unable to Perform” (PUP) list.

Christian Darrisaw, Will Fries and Rondale Moore not going on PUP to start #VikingsCamp is a testament to the hard work that they've put in recovering from their injuries. pic.twitter.com/miV77eb57e

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2025

“Christian Darrisaw, Rondale Moore, Will Fries all not going on PUP to start [training camp]. I want to highlight the work they put in this summer, to put themselves into a position to be out on the grass practicing, all in different capacities, but we are very pleased with where those guys are at, and their timelines to fully returning to daily participation.

We have great plans on the calendar for those guys and cannot wait to see that come to fruition. But once again, just want to highlight the work those guys put in throughout the offseason to put themselves in this position.”

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell speaking with reporters Tuesday

Related: MN Vikings Front Seven Ranked… No. 1 in NFL?

This is unbelievably good news for the Minnesota Vikings, who in case you forgot, are breaking in a new quarterback this season. If JJ McCarthy is going to have success in his first year as an NFL starting quarterback, he will undoubtedly need his offensive line and wide receiving crew at or near full-strength.

If placed on the reserve/PUP list at the end of training camp, a player is not allowed to go back on his team’s active roster until after week four of the regular season. Instead, it appears the organization’s bet in its training staff may payoff in dividends.

Losing elite offensive linemen for the first four weeks of the season could be devastating to the development of their 22-year-old former top 10 pick (who’s coming off a season-ending injury of his own).

Vikings, JJ McCarthy need Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries to play ASAP

Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries are two of the best players in the league at their positions, and Ryan Kelly is a clear upgrade over Garrett Bradbury. That’s why, on paper, the Vikings’ OL looks vastly improved compared to 2024.

But without Darrisaw and/or Fries, this offensive line will look like a shell of what it does on paper, if those guys are healthy. Thus, the sooner Minnesota can get Fries and Darrisaw back to full strength, the better.

this stunt pickup from LT Christian Darrisaw is an OT in complete control of his game pic.twitter.com/dq3cr0DZGw

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) October 21, 2024

Related: Bears Nearly Drafted JJ McCarthy Over Caleb Williams with No. 1 Pick

And from the sounds of it, they expect that to be sometime before week five of the upcoming regular season. Otherwise, it would behoove the Vikings to use the PUP list, in order to regain their roster spot for camp.

Obviously, most of the attention over the next couple months will be focused around their redshirt rookie QB. And the hype surrounding McCarthy is currently at an all-time high.

Don’t expect that to slow down between now and when the Vikings first take the regular season field on Monday Night Football, September 8, vs the Chicago Bears.

The more JJ McCarthy hangs around teammates and coaches, he will only gain the support of everyone in Eagan, due to his incessant work ethic and beyond-his-age leadership abilities, not to mention his “sneaky” big arm and incredible efficiency as a passer.

Not only were most of the Vikings key veterans in attendance for voluntary OTAs, but according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) during his latest scoop session on SKOR North, the practices this week in Eagan were notably intense.

Minnesota Vikings OTAs were notably intense this week

Not only did the longtime local reporter (who has attended hundreds of Vikings practices) notice the pumped up competitiveness, though. New CB Jeff Okudah, who previously played for the Dan Campbell-led Lions, expressed his surprise with how intense the 7-vs-7 practice sessions were too.

“I thought it was a pretty spirited practice, for OTA session number two. You know, just the competitive nature of it. I had a nice chat with Jeff Okudah after practice. He noted that and so I just thought that was pretty interesting for late in May. I did not expect to see some of the stuff we saw on Wednesday. You know, seven on seven and all that, just how spirited it was, how competitive it was. I did not expect to see that for May 28th.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan reading this article or watching that scoop session, you have to be excited about how this first week of offseason workouts went. For all of the team’s stars to show up ready to work and improve on what was an incredible 2024 season, it’s clear O’Connell & Co. are already locked in and hungry for more success.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wins Another Award

You know 100% that, not only are other teams missing a lot of big names on their OTA attendance sheet, but it’s highly unlikely others are coming in this focused and determined to get better. That’s a really good sign, especially for a Vikings team that sportsbooks and most pundits are picking to be a middling NFC squad in 2025.

Most Minnesota Vikings OTA absences due to injury

Of course, not every key Minnesota Vikings player for 2025 was on the TCO Performance Center practice fields this week. Most notably, Christian Darrisaw was missing at left tackle (replaced by Justin Skule) and Will Fries was replaced by Blake Brandel at right guard.

Of course, both Darrisaw and Fries are recovering from major leg injuries. The former went out in week 11 of last season with a major knee injury that required surgery. The latter broke his leg. According to what Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his presser, Fries isn’t expected to practice until training camp.

Fries, their top external signing in March, may not practice fully until training camp, O’Connell said, or nearly 10 months after sustaining a broken tibia on Oct. 6. The Vikings’ top nine blockers may be set if they’re content with Rouse, a 2024 sixth-round pick, as a hybrid tackle/guard. Skule, the 28-year-old former 49er and Buccaneer, replaces David Quessenberry as the backup tackle. Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is the backup center.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

Meanwhile, Darrisaw was working out with cleats on the sideline this week. The Minnesota Vikings hope he is ready to return for the start of the regular season. It’s also worth mentioning the RG/LG alignment.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy

With Fries out, Brandel slid over to right guard, while 1st round rookie, Donovan Jackson worked with the first team at left guard, where he is supposed to be competing with Brandel as a starter. Does that mean Jackson can be written in to start week one?

#Vikings starting OL in yesterdays OTA’s:

LT: *Justin Skule
LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Ryan Kelly
RG: *Blake Brandel
RT: Brian O’Neill

*Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries did not participate due to injury recovery

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 29, 2025

No, but it is worth monitoring how many snaps Brandel gets on the left side, while Fries continues his rehab. The other injury absence was Rondale Moore, who continues his rehab from a torn ACL. Not only is he expected to compete for the WR3 job, if healthy, but he could be a factor in the return game too.

Where in the world is Isaiah Rodgers…?

The only non-injury OTA absence that was mentioned by reporters who were in Eagan this week was new CB Isaiah Rodgers. In his absence, the aforementioned Okudah and second-year 2024 undrafted free agent signee Dwight McGlothern got reps with the first team defense. Mechi Blackmon got some run too.

Coaches were getting long looks at Okudah, the former Lions top pick on his fourth NFL team, and McGlothern, last year’s undrafted darling, with the first-team defense on Wednesday. Blackmon appeared to be getting some work, too, as he’s 10 months removed from a torn ACL. Rodgers, the ex-Eagles reserve who got a two-year deal to play a bigger role in Minnesota, was not seen at practice.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

It is important to remember that these workouts are “voluntary” and we do not know why the newly signed corner was not in attendance. Nonetheless, it’s news worth mentioning.

That’s great, but the Vikings needed some more help at the offensive skill positions, too. That’s why they brought back Aaron Jones and paired him with talented former 49er RB, Jordan Mason. Yet, as of Wednesday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah remained on the hunt for more wide receiver talent.

Rondale Moore signs deal with Minnesota Vikings

The former Arizona Cardinals speedster took a visit with the Vikings last week, before leaving town to go flirt with with the division rival, Chicago Bears. Sensibly, Moore returned Wednesday to the better situation, where he will wear purple in 2025.

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with WR @moore_rondale. https://t.co/nqr5Q5fh0O pic.twitter.com/ps3KzU1rXU

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 19, 2025

The Arizona Cardinals made Rondale Moore their second round pick during the 2021 NFL Draft. The former Purdue Boilermaker spent his first four seasons there, before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons before the 2024 season, where he blew out his knee during a joint preseason practice and never saw the field.

Across 39 games, Moore has made 23 starts. He has tallied a total of 1,201 yards with a single touchdown each year. At 5’7″ with speed, Moore is a better fit in the slot. Last summer during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury.

New Vikings receiver @moore_rondale. pic.twitter.com/WyCGnqKnHe

— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) March 19, 2025

Related: Vikings O-Line Rental Lands Generous New Deal Elsewhere

Rondale Moore would be a fun addition to the Vikings' offense. Gadget/YAC type of receiver who can also line up in the backfield. Elite athlete at 5'7", 180. He'd be a Brandon Powell replacement with more upside. pic.twitter.com/VEh3Djiuwd

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) March 14, 2025

The speed that Moore possesses shows up all over the offense. While he typically specializes in short and intermediate routes, along with bubble screens and other gadget pass plays, the 24-year-old height-challenged burner has also ran the ball 52 times for 249 yards and a touchdown during the course of his career (see video above).

It stands to reason that the Vikings could look to utilize him in a multitude of different packages. Teamed with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Moore presents a different type of third option than either of those two, or their 2024 WR3 Jordan Nailor was able to provide.

Where does the MN Vikings wide receiver corps stand?

Last season the Minnesota Vikings were forced to find an alternative option for the departing K.J. Osborn. They landed on Jalen Nailor to fill his shoes. The third-year wideout started seven of 17 games and posted 414 yards on 28 receptions.

He also found the end zone six times. The problem is that Nailor also failed to convert in multiple key situations and his hands were far from sure. Rondale Moore has made just over $7 million during his career. He’s hoping a strong season in Minnesota will lead to a more lucrative payday next offseason.

Moore won’t be guaranteed a to take over a starting role, but it should be assumed that he is the biggest competition for Nailor. Addison is also likely to miss time, as he is disciplined for his DUI last summer. The Vikings will need guys like Moore and Nailor to step up, in his absence.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Names Two Veteran QBs to Watch

Recently, the Minnesota Vikings also signed former Jaguars WR Tim Jones, who is more of a special teams contributor. The Vikings also have Thayer Thomas, Lucky Jackson, and Jeshaun Jones on roster. It’s possible that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks at the wide receiver position later in the draft, or down the line in free agency, to generate more depth.

While most of their free agent signings over the past week have happened without any sort of visit, there have been some non-contract players shopping the market who have stopped by TCO Performance Center. Today, Kevin O’Connell & Co are hosting former top 3 overall draft pick Jeff Okudah on a visit.

Okudah’s visit in Eagan comes exactly one week after reports initially broke that Commanders DT Jonathan Allen was on a visit at TCO Performance Center for the start of the NFL negotiating period last Monday. Allen agreed to terms in Minnesota the next morning and has since signed his deal.

Rondale Moore visiting rival Chicago Bears

But not all visits have ended as successfully as Allen’s did. For example, late last week, the the MN Vikings announced on social media that 25-year-old speedy wide receiver, Rondale Moore, was on a visit with the Minnesota Vikings.

Unfortunately, the WR3 upgrade left town without a deal in hand. Chatter connecting the two sides has been quiet ever since. Even worse, Ian Rapoport reported late Monday morning that Moore is in Chicago visiting with the division rival Bears today.

FA WR Rondale Moore, who visited the #Vikings last week, is visiting the #Bears today, per me and @MikeGarafolo.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2025

A former second round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Rondale Moore is available on the open market after four seasons. In 2023 he played in all 17 games and started eight. Across 39 games he has totaled 1,201 yards and three touchdowns. He was traded to Atlanta and then didn’t play in 2024 due to a knee injury suffered in August.

Related: Minnesota Vikings in Contact with Another Veteran QB

It stands to reason that the speedster would present an upgrade in the slot over Jalen Nailor. He could also operate in a bit more space should Jordan Addison be suspended. That vision didn’t materialize during his initial visit with the Vikings and now he’s talking to the Bears.

What does Chicago have to offer Moore that Minnesota Vikings do not?

Right now Chicago has just two established starting wide receivers. Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore figure to be quarterback Caleb Williams’ top targets. Olamide Zaccheaus is the projected slot starter, but Moore may feel as though he can beat him out.

Any decision to sign with Chicago would need to be made through the vein of belief in Williams, and new direction under head coach Ben Johnson. Moore has certainly seen how capable of an offense that Minnesota has, and that should remain as Kevin O’Connell breaks in young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Rondale Moore would be an excellent addition to the Bears WR room.

He runs a 4.29 – 40, has a 42.5 inch vertical and is still only 24. Ben Johnson would be able to unlock his potential. pic.twitter.com/5Lkl3nM6kc

— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) March 17, 2025

Related: Vikings Hosting Former Top 3 Draft Pick for Free Agency Visit

Moore will be looking to show he’s worthy of a long-term contract in 2026 after missing the 2024 season. He has never made more than $1.6 million in a season, and finding a spot where he can contribute at a high level should be the goal.

If it’s not going to be Moore for the Vikings, they will continue to kick the tires on other free agent options as well as look in the draft. Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, and Thomas Thayer won’t push Nailor enough. Someone else has to.

But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are far from done. Hell, we still have over a month of free agency remaining before the draft, on April 24, let alone training camp in late July. Thus, the Vikings woke up this morning, just like they have the rest of this week, ready to get better.

Minnesota Vikings hosting WR free agent on visit

That’s why they are hosting a very intriguing free agent wide receiver this morning, in Eagan — former Arizona Cardinals 2nd round draft pick Rondale Moore — according to the Vikings’ official X account. The young speedster out of Purdue is enjoying free agency for the first time in his young career.

WR Rondale Moore has started his free agent visit with the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/BFJ7NzTTrn

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 14, 2025

How young is Rondale Moore? The 5’7″, 180 lb slot specialist — who was taken No. 49 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft — is just 24 years, 278 days old. If signed, he wouldn’t just line up in between Jordan Addison (23 y/o) and Justin Jefferson (25 y/o) on the football field, he’d slot in directly between the Vikings’ WR1 and WR2 in age, as well.

The Arizona Cardinal traded Moore to the Atlanta Falcons on this exact date (March 14), 2024. Unfortunately, Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury just a few months later (August 8), during a joint practice between the Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

What would Rondale Moore bring to the Vikings?

During his three-year NFL career, with Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins as his QB for most of his 39 games played, Moore has struggled to find that next gear, as a pass-catcher, totaling just 1,201 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns on 135 receptions.

Rondale Moore visiting the Vikings is a really smart move.

Former 2nd-round pick and only 24. He’s dynamic and explosive with the ball and has great YAC when healthy.

Injuries have been an issue, he perfectly fits Kwesi’s strategy—low risk, high reward. This has real potential pic.twitter.com/l16WDQT0v6

— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) March 14, 2025

Rondale Moore’s best season, from a receiving production standpoint, came as a rookie when he posted 435 yards receiving, on 54 receptions. In 2023, his final season with Arizona (and on an NFL football field), the Cardinals seemed to unlock a new weapon to their offense, with Moore.

Related: NFL Pundit Doubts Former Vikings Can Succeed Without the QB Whisperer

They started handing him the football, not just throwing it to him. After taking just 6 carries in 2022, Moore carried the ball 28 times in 2023 and he paid them off with 178 yards rushing (6.4 YPC) and 1 TD.

Rondale Moore could be the perfect WR3 fit for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, and possibly beyond. We’ll see if that’s how he feels while visiting TCO Performance Center today…