Where the Vikings Spend Their Money | By Position

Dustin Baker |

Jun 18, 2023

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, after a 20-17 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 9 of the 2022 regular season.

With approximately $17.8 million available on the salary cap as of June 17th, the Minnesota Vikings have the eighth-most funds leaguewide.

The club has the leeway to sign intriguing summer free agents if it sees fit.

Where the Vikings Spend Their Money | By Position

Meanwhile, have a look at where Minnesota spends its money — by position (per cap hit).

Offense

Spent = $102.6 million
NFL Ranking = 24th

QB

the Vikings Spend — Aug 14, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines during warm up against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $22.7 million
Percentage of Budget = 10.1%
NFL Ranking = 12th

This number could be much higher, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah rolled $28.5 million of Kirk Cousins’ cap number into 2024 (or beyond). On paper, he looks more affordable than usual, but that’s because Minnesota will have some of his salary on the books if he leaves the club in 2024.

RB

Starters in 2023 — Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $5.2 million
Percentage of Budget = 2.3%
NFL Ranking = 31st

With one stroke of a pen — well, release — the Vikings went from a team spending nearing the top of the NFL on running backs to the bottom.

This is why Adofo-Mensah moved on from Cook; he was too expensive and turns 28 this summer.

WR

Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $19.4 million
Percentage of Budget = 8.6%
NFL Ranking = 27th

Take a screenshot of this badboy because it will balloon to Mars when Justin Jefferson’s contract extension kicks in two years from now. Jefferson is expected to fetch $30-35 million via his next deal, so this number is ‘small’ only for the short term.

TE

Hockenson Chatter — Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the second quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $15.5 million
Percentage of Budget = 6.9%
NFL Ranking = 10th

The same ‘Jefferson logic’ applies to Hockenson, who will sign a chunky extension before too long. Meanwhile, the Vikings signed TE2 Josh Oliver in free agency three months ago to a three-year, $21 million contract.

OL

Significant Week 18 — Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) on the sidelines before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $39.6 million
Percentage of Budget = 17.6%
NFL Ranking = 24th

O’Neill siphons most of the spending here, but left tackle Christian Darrisaw will join him in about three years when his rookie deal expires. The Vikings also handed center Garrett Bradbury a decent contract and must decide on Ezra Cleveland’s 2024 free agency in nine months.

Defense

Spent = $87.5 million
NFL Ranking = 28th

IDL

Dec 11, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) walks around on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $22.4 million
Percentage of Budget = 9.9%
NFL Ranking = 19th

The middle of the Vikings defensive line hasn’t featured star-studded commodities for a very long time, so it’s the Harrison Phillips show for now. This dollar amount could’ve been significantly higher if Dalvin Tomlinson had been re-signed.

EDGE

Vikings Superstar to — Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates a sack of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $22.3 million
Percentage of Budget = 9.9%
NFL Ranking = 19th

Minnesota said goodbye to Za’Darius Smith via trade to Cleveland in May and now must choose to extend Danielle Hunter for $20+ million per season or trade him. Marcus Davenport also joined the Vikings this spring for one year and $13 million.

LB

Keeping Jordan Hicks Is a Smart Move by Vikings — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) against Green Bay Packers during their football game on Sunday, January, 1, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. © Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Spent = $11.7 million
Percentage of Budget = 5.1%
NFL Ranking = 23rd

The Vikings have one of the most for-now anonymous off-ball linebacking corps in the business, headlined by veteran Jordan Hicks and rookie Brian Asamoah. They’re affordable.

S

Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) and New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) in action during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $18.3 million
Percentage of Budget = 8.1%
NFL Ranking = 8th

Harrison Smith took a paycut for 2023, but his cap number is still $11.8 million. The Vikings also have an upcoming threeway battle at free safety between Camryn Bynum, Lewis Cine, and Josh Metellus.

CB

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy spent four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, a 2nd-Round draft pick. He was welcomed to the Vikings from free agency in March 2023.

Spent = $12.8 million
Percentage of Budget = 5.7%
NFL Ranking = 29th

This is the largest area of concern on the Vikings roster and also the spot where they spend relatively few dollars. Byron Murphy arrived from free agency, but after him, it’s primarily corners on rookie and small veteran deals.

K/P/LS

How the Vikings Can Beat — Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates the win after the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Spent = $4.9 million
Percentage of Budget = 2.2%
NFL Ranking = 26th

Minnesota doesn’t spend lavishly on kicker, punter, or long snapper. Plain and simple.

**The Vikings available cap space accounts for about 8% of the remaining budget against the NFL’s $224.8 million salary cap. The organization also ranks eighth-worst (or eighth-most) in dead cap money on the books for 2023.

Also Read:
Vikings Not in Top 5 of WR Corps Rankings

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.