Vikings CB Recruits His Buddy from the Colts

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) reacts after taking down Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings employ a speedy cornerback named Isaiah Rodgers, and he used to work with a guy who’s now on the trade block: Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II. Rodgers wasn’t shy this week about recruiting Moore II on social media to join the Vikings.

Minnesota still needs cornerback help, and Moore checks the experience box fast.

Moore II won’t be too difficult to get, and if Minnesota is in the mood, he could serve as CB depth in 2026.

Moore Might Make Sense as a Short-Term Secondary Fix

Get to know Moore II, who now lives in the trade rumor mill.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) jumps a route and races downfield for a pick six, flipping early momentum during a divisional matchup. Sep 21, 2025 showcased his instincts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, where Moore read the quarterback cleanly and finished the play with speed and awareness. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

Colts to Trade Moore II

Moore II’s days in Indianapolis are numbered, and with the draft just 10 days away, he’ll be shipped elsewhere before too long.

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote Friday, “Kenny Moore’s nine-year career in Indianapolis appears to be at an end. The Colts and Moore mutually agreed to seek a trade, ESPN reported Friday. Turning 31 in August, Moore has long been an underrated slot defender able to stick with shifty receivers, jump short routes and stick his nose in against the run.”

“He’s coming off a down season, in which he missed three games due to injury. There were also scheme-fit concerns in Lou Anarumo’s system. The Colts have spent the offseason looking to get younger on defense, which aligns with the decision to seek a trade for Moore. 2025 third-round pick Justin Walley, who missed his rookie campaign due to a training camp ACL tear, would be first in line to replace Moore’s nickel reps.”

Nine years was quite the run with Moore II in Indianapolis. For context, he was a rookie the same year as former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (2017).

The Rodgers Recruitment

Rodgers turned pro in 2020 as a 6th-Round selection by the Colts. He stayed in Indianapolis for three seasons before a gambling suspension rattled his career. He later landed with the Philadelphia Eagles and then the Vikings.

But Rodgers crossed paths with Moore II for three seasons, between 2020 and 2022, and the two are evidently pals.

Rodgers rolled around this recruiting pitch on Instagram:

The Vikings signed James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, and for now, he’s on deck to hold the CB3 job. But if Minnesota prefers more CB depth than previous years, a trade for Moorre II cannot be ruled out, especially with Rodgers pounding the table for him.

Moore II’s Production

Moore is a career-long starter and earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. Here’s his passer rating allowed resume:

2018: 80.0
2019: 76.8
2020: 97.2
2021: 86.9
2022: 117.7
2023: 96.6
2024: 83.6
2025: 87.8

And his Pro Football Focus report card:

2017: 65.9
2018: 68.7
2019: 75.5
2020: 73.8
2021: 66.6
2022: 55.7
2023: 76.8
2024: 70.1
2025: 66.7

Think of it this way: had the Vikings not signed Pierre in March, a Moore II trade would feel perfect right now.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) walks off the field following an overtime victory, capping a hard-fought divisional battle at Lucas Oil Stadium. Jan 5, 2025 captured the aftermath as the Colts secured a 26-23 win over Jacksonville, with Moore contributing steady coverage throughout the tense finish. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-Imagn Images.

Horeshoe Heroes‘ Lee Vowell on a Moore II trade: “Moore’s cap hit next season is $13,110,000, per Over the Cap, and trading him would save the team $7,060,000. That doesn’t mean Ballard has a plan for what to do with the savings. The Colts have cash to spend as the Jones and Pierce deals have a lower cap hit in year one. With the newly created cap, Ballard has done very little.”

“Kenny Moore has remained among the better nickelbacks in the NFL. He could be upgraded, maybe, but the team has no obvious replacements of his quality. Moore being available in a trade makes two players the Indianapolis Colts are open to shopping.”

The Colts and Vikings actually have a lot of defensive back overlap: Rodgers plays for the Vikings, while Camryn Bynum and Mekhi Blackmon are on Indianapolis’s roster.

Vowell added, “Quarterback Anthony Richardson is the other, but has had no takers yet. As for what the Colts can get for Moore? Likely, not a lot. He is now 32 years old and is restricted to a position. Should the team get a fifth-round pick for him, that might be a massive win.”

The Trade Price

Moore II will turn 31 in August, and his production last year showed dependability and a decent overall baseline. He’s not a hot commodity anymore; nobody is sprinting to the phone to acquire a 31-year-old cornerback, especially when a general manager can sign free agents like Trevon Diggs and L’Jarius Sneed without the hassle of donating a draft pick to Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates after getting to the quarterback, highlighting his versatility as a blitzing defender early in the game. Oct 26, 2025 featured an aggressive defensive start at Lucas Oil Stadium, where Moore helped disrupt Tennessee’s offense with pressure and timely playmaking. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images.

Still, after the draft, a team will realize it didn’t quite get what it wanted at cornerback, and a 6th-Round pick can probably get the Moore II trade over the finish line.

Otherwise, Moore II will be a free agent in 2027. He can finish his career with a team of his choosing.