Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Vikings turned a roster cut into a draft pick on the final day of NFL cutdowns.
Minnesota sent offensive lineman Walter Rouse and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots on Sunday in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Multiple reports say Rouse had already been told he was headed for waivers when the Patriots called, and the Vikings dealt him rather than lose him for nothing.
Rouse was Minnesota’s sixth-round pick in 2024, taken 177th overall out of Oklahoma after four seasons as a starting left tackle at Stanford. The 25-year-old appeared in eight games across two seasons and never made a start. He spent training camp learning guard after the team asked him to switch positions, and he held up well enough in exhibition games to draw outside interest. New England needed the help after losing swing tackle Marcus Bryant to injury.
Minnesota fans will get a look at him in December. The Vikings play at New England on Thursday night, December 10th.
Roster set at 53
The trade was one piece of a heavy day in Eagan. The Vikings waived 24 players, waived six more with an injury designation and terminated the contracts of four veterans, including punter Johnny Hekker. Outside linebacker Tyler Batty went on season-ending injured reserve, center Michael Jurgens was placed on IR with a designation for return, and wide receiver Jeshaun Jones landed on the reserve/suspended list.
The initial 53 breaks down as 26 offensive players, 24 defensive players and three special teamers.
The headline decision was at quarterback, where the Vikings kept four: starter Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy and former Gopher Max Brosmer. Keeping four quarterbacks is unusual and suggests more moves could be coming. Minnesota also carried just eight offensive linemen, thinner than most teams, which made the Rouse trade a notable subtraction from an already short group.
Eight of the team’s nine 2026 draft picks made the roster. Seventh-round center Gavin Gerhardt was the exception.
It was also the first cutdown day for new general manager Nolan Teasley, hired June 1st.
Rough finish to the preseason
The Vikings closed out exhibition play Friday night with a 34-6 loss at Denver, a game that gave coaches a final look at the roster bubble and not much else to like.
Minnesota never reached the end zone. Kicker Will Reichard hit field goals from 46 and 28 yards for the only points. The offense went 3-for-13 on third down, came up empty on both trips inside the Denver 20 and finished with 269 yards. The Vikings drew seven penalties for 55 yards.
McCarthy was scratched a few hours before kickoff with an ankle injury suffered the week before against Baltimore, leaving Wentz to take the first-team snaps. Denver quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw three touchdown passes, including an 88-yard strike to rookie tight end Justin Joly.
Minnesota finished the preseason 1-2 with a single touchdown in three games.
The Vikings can still make waiver claims off other teams’ cuts and can sign up to 16 players to the practice squad, including players they released Sunday. The regular season opens September 13th at U.S. Bank Stadium against Green Bay.
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