Vikings Should Kick the Tires on Newly Released RB

The Philadelphia Eagles dropped a young running back on Tuesday, and despite limited roster space, the Vikings should explore his free agency.
While it might be a longshot for the Vikings to be the team that ends up with Estime, it should at least poke around his free agency.
Vikings Should Peek at Audric Estime
Grab him up and stash him.
Unless the Eagles used the release as a procedural move — unlikely — Estime won’t turn around and re-sign in Philadelphia, as often happens in the NFL. He can be scooped by any NFL team as early as now.
Vikings Don’t Have RB Space, But …
Listen, we fully understand that Minnesota’s RB room isn’t begging for a new face. This is the group as of October 14th:
- Jordan Mason
- Aaron Jones (IR)
- Ty Chandler (IR)
- Zavier Scott
- Cam Akers
- Corey Kiner
Full? Yes. But for a world beyond 2025, the first two guys are the only serious contenders guaranteed a spot on the 2026 depth chart. And even Jones’ outlook is shaky beyond 2025 due to age.
Minnesota should sign Estime to the practice squad as an ace in the hole for youth and explore his services as a potential RB3. For example, Scott — who feels like a young up-and-comer — is 26. Estime is 22.
Estime’s Profile
The Notre Dame product isn’t exactly a burner, but at 5’11” and 230 pounds, Estime brings the kind of downhill punch that could finally help Minnesota finish drives in the red zone — a long-running issue before 2025 and Jordan Mason’s emergence.
In his final season with the Irish, Estime churned out 1,341 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. He also chipped in 17 receptions for 142 yards. The passing game isn’t his calling card, but he’s a natural, decisive runner with power and vision.
Depending on the Chargers’ opinion of Estime, Jim Harbaugh and Co. could scoop Estime from the free-agent wire and call it good. Los Angeles would not have to donate draft picks via trade to a team for a replacement tailback.
Out of the gate in 2025, the Chargers have been rocked by serious injuries to rookie Omarion Hampton and veteran Najee Harrison. They could be just desperate enough to sign Estime, making articles like this wholly moot.
It’s worth noting that the Vikings play those very Chargers in nine days.
Eagles-Themed Media on Estime’s Departure
The message from Eagles insiders? No big deal.
SI.com‘s Zach Pressnell wrote Tuesday, “Estime was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of 2024 NFL Draft but spent one year with the team. During that one year in Denver, the young running back appeared in 13 games and carried the ball 76 times for 360 yards and two touchdowns.”
“After signing with the Eagles’ practice squad, there was no real path to playing time in Philadelphia. The Eagles have Saquon Barkley, who’s the top running back in football. Barkley has remained healthy for a good chunk of his career, so barring an unfortunate injury, he wouldn’t be giving up much of the workload. AJ Dillon works as the team’s back up and short yardage back.”