The Minnesota Vikings certainly aren’t lacking when it comes to offensive playmakers.
With stars like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones supporting their quarterback, it’s no surprise the team is placing its trust in second-year QB J.J. McCarthy.
Still, even with an already loaded offense, the Vikings are continuing to bolster their roster during free agency. On X, the team announced they’ve signed former Cardinals and Falcons slot receiver Rondale Moore.
Rondale Moore Signing With The Minnesota Vikings
While not exactly a headline-grabbing move, Rondale Moore is still an interesting addition to the Vikings’ offense.
Minnesota is taking a classic “buy-low” approach by bringing in Moore, who missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury during training camp. Despite the setback, the Vikings are adding a highly explosive slot receiver who was once viewed as one of the most elusive and slippery playmakers in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Moore never played a snap for the Falcons—who acquired him in a trade for quarterback Desmond Ridder—and is now getting a fresh start with Minnesota.
On paper, there aren’t many better situations in the NFL right now than joining Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings. But a lot hinges on the development of J.J. McCarthy. The second-year quarterback has yet to take an NFL snap after missing his entire rookie campaign with a torn meniscus. If McCarthy can deliver solid play, this offense has the potential to take off. If not, it could be a tough year ahead for Minnesota.
What Will Moore’s Role Look Like In Minnesota?
There aren’t many teams where Rondale Moore would step in and immediately be considered a likely starter, even as a WR3. Thanks to a mix of injuries and underwhelming production, he’s often labeled a “bust”—fairly or not—when measured against his relatively high draft selection at 49th overall.
Even in Arizona, where the receiver group was far from stacked, Moore was never able to start more than half the team’s games in a single season.
The one year it seemed like he was finally gaining momentum—posting 414 receiving yards over an eight-game stretch after missing the first three weeks with a hamstring injury—his season was derailed again, landing on injured reserve by mid-December.
Heading into 2025, Minnesota doesn’t have a locked-in third receiver on the depth chart. Jalen Nailor is expected to be in the mix after flashing late in the year with a few standout performances against the Packers and Lions. But even with his 414-yard campaign, Nailor hasn’t exactly cemented himself in that role.
That leaves the door open for Moore. His quickness and elite agility could give him a chance to make an impression during training camp and preseason, potentially catching Kevin O’Connell’s attention.
Whether or not he claims the WR3 spot, Moore should have an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role in the Vikings’ offense as the team works to define its future.
