Harrison Phillips was shipped to the New York Jets for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 swap, with Minnesota taking on part of his salary. The move, sprung on the final day of training camp, is paired with a sharp look at Vikings depth on the defensive line, especially Jaylen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez, who’ve taken bigger roles as camp wore on. Minnesota’s cap recycling hints at a broader play—clear salary space and extra draft capital to chase a veteran WR, most notably Adam Thielen from Carolina, though the Panthers aren’t forced to move him.

The swap aligns with Brian Flores’ aggressive frontline philosophy, pairing Hargrave and Allen with fluid run-stopping possibilities and a rotating group behind them. The trade also raises concerns about run defense if Phillips’ role isn’t filled by a comparable physical presence, yet the depth, youth, and cap flexibility could enable a late-season WR swing. JJ McCarthy’s growth and an evolving, more scheme-adaptive offense underpin the optimism, even as the WR group remains thin without Jefferson and Addison.