The page has turned on the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 calendar to October, and the team is equipped with a 2-2 record for its troubles. Now, it’s time for a glance at the rumor mill.

The Minnesota Vikings rumor mill is always alive and well, this week spotlighting a Seahawks trade, Cam Robinson, and WR Adam Thielen.

We document the purple rumor twice every weekend, so consider this the first batch for Week 5.

Vikings Rumors for October 4th, 2025

It’s our long-running Purple Rumor Mill series.

Rumor: The Vikings could or should pull off a trade for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen.

Woolen could be on the trade block, with the league deadline about 4.5 weeks away.

NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack explained last week, “NFL teams plan to keep an eye on a Pro Bowl cornerback potentially becoming available in Seattle. Clubs are monitoring Seahawks CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline, which this year falls on Nov. 4, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Sunday, per sources.”

“Rapoport added that Woolen’s playing time should decrease now that Devon Witherspoon, who returned from a two-game absence for Thursday night’s 23-20 win over the Cardinals, is healthy, and other organizations believe the fourth-year corner could be attainable in the final year of his rookie deal.”

Cameron Van Til of Seattle Sports also opined on Woolen last week: “Over the course of his up-and-down career, Woolen has flashed top-tier talent with his rare combination of speed, length and athleticism. He totaled 11 interceptions and 41 pass breakups over his first three seasons, while also ranking among the top 15 cornerbacks in opposing completion percentage in both 2022 and 2024.”

“But on the flip side, Woolen also surrendered 12 touchdown passes between 2022 and 2024, which is tied for 15th-most in the league over that span. He also appeared to get benched for a late-season game in 2023. And last year, he was benched for the opening drive of a key Week 16 game against the Minnesota Vikings due to what head coach Mike Macdonald said was a violation of team rules.”

The Vikings’ cornerback room is in decent shape with Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah, but what if one of those men got hurt? The corner spot would morph into a pressing need, not unlike the offensive line right now.

For a 4th- or 5th-Round pick, Woolen in Seattle is probably gettable via trade.

Rumor: Houston’s trade of Cam Robinson to the Cleveland reignites compensatory draft pick hopes for Minnesota.

Former Vikings left tackle Cam Robinson is on the move.

NBC Sports’ Myles Simmons announced Monday, “The Browns are acquiring Cam Robinson from the Texans, according to multiple reports. Robinson started the first game of the season for Houston, but was replaced by Aireontae Ersery in Week 2.”

“While he played select snaps on special teams in Week 2 and Week 3, Robinson was inactive for the Texans’ Sunday victory over the Titans. A second-round pick in 2017, Robinson played all of his first seven seasons with the Jaguars. But he was traded to Minnesota midway through the 2024 season when the club lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a year-ending injury.”

Houston banked a 6th-Rounder while Cleveland welcomed Robinson and a 7th-Round selection.

How is this relevant to Minnesota? Well, in Houston, Robinson was buried on the depth chart, basically not playing at all. The Vikings’ compensatory draft pick hopes were dead in the water.

Now, as Robinson likely enters the starting lineup in Cleveland, the big dreams of a 4th- or 5th-Rounder in next year’s draft are back on the table for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

The trade was good news for the Vikings, and somewhat ironically, Minnesota will face Robinson on Sunday as a member of the Browns.

Rumor: Adam Thielen has formally been demoted to WR4.

Minnesota ran 76 offensive plays against the Steelers. Adam Thielen was on the field for 12 of them — 16%. To his credit, he hauled in a couple of clutch chain-movers, so it wasn’t like he completely whiffed on the day.

He just barely played.

Through four weeks, Thielen’s got 4 grabs for 37 yards, which is a tiny box score for a guy so embedded in Vikings mythos. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shipped a 4th-Rounder to Carolina for him before the season, and right now, it’s fair to say the return hasn’t matched the investment.

The reality is Minnesota looks locked into a new WR4 arrangement. Thielen came back a month ago, and most folks figured he’d slide right into the WR2 chair with Jordan Addison suspended. Didn’t happen. Not even close.

Perhaps it’s a chemistry issue between J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz. Maybe it’s age finally catching up. Or maybe Kevin O’Connell and friends just pivoted on his role. Whatever the reason, Thielen’s clearly behind Justin Jefferson, Addison, and Jalen Nailor. He’s seen 8 targets all year. Nailor’s at 17. Nailor’s the WR3. Thielen’s the WR4.

And honestly — why would that suddenly change?