Who Might the Vikings Cut This Summer? 4 Names That Could Surprise.
The NFL’s regular season kicks off in approximately seven weeks, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
Who Might the Vikings Cut This Summer? 4 Names That Could Surprise
According to sportsbooks, the Minnesota Vikings are slated to win about seven games, and some consider this campaign a transformational season to get to 2025. Minnesota said goodbye to Kirk Cousins in March, while the next few seasons are all about J.J. McCarthy’s maturation.
But before the regular season, training camp and the preseason take place, events to determine the 53-man roster. With training camp six days away, these are four Vikings players who could be cut and might surprise the masses. They’re listed in ascending order (No. 1 = most surprising possible cut).
4. Jaren Hall (QB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Minnesota won’t keep four quarterbacks on the active roster. J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold added new blood to the quarterback room, putting Hall’s roster spot at risk.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Nick Mullens is the odd man out instead.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Hall will hit the practice squad.
Last month, Brevan Bane of PurplePTSD.com, a sister site to VikingsTerritory, wrote about Wright as a possible cut casualty: “It may not be a huge shock, but the shock factor may come more if Minnesota does not bring him back to the practice squad. The Vikings currently have four quarterbacks, with Darnold and McCarthy being the only two sure-fire signal callers making the roster. Between Mullens and Hall, the front office and coaching staff may benefit the former since he has a complete understanding of the offense and has proven that they can at least move the ball when he is under center.”
3. Pat Jones II (OLB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Minnesota [suddenly] has plenty of depth at outside linebacker.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Jones has more experience than Andre Carter II and Gabriel Murphy, other EDGEs vying for roster spots.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Jones II is waived.
Minnesota has a crowded house at EDGE — a good problem to have. Think of it this way: the Vikings will probably keep just 5-6 of these men.
- Jonathan Greenard
- Dallas Turner
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Patrick Jones II
- Jihad Ward
- Andre Carter II
- Gabriel Murphy
- Owen Porter
- Bo Richter
Someone relatively high-profile will be waived or hit the practice squad, and it might be Jones II.
2. Ryan Wright (P)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Seth Vernon has looked the part so far this offseason.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Continuity.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Seth Vernon wins the job.
Wright regressed in Year No. 2, an unfortunate outcome for a specialist who looked so promising as a rookie. Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer said in June on Access Vikings, “Matt Daniels is talking about how there was a big sophomore slump for Ryan Wright. That’s why they bring in this new punter. And that new punter, he’s got a boot.”
Krammer added about Vernon, “He has been nailing it. And Ryan Wright hasn’t looked good in some of the open practices. So punter news.”
1. Lewis Cine (S)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
The Vikings have “too many” good safeties.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
The front office and coaching staff refuse to give up on Cine, clinging to his 1st-Round draft stock two years ago. His injury recovery lingered longer than most thought, and Cine gets a fair shake in Year No. 3.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Cine is traded for a late-round draft pick or waived.
Let’s be clear — there is absolutely no financial upside to parting ways with Cine. There just isn’t. But a roster spot may be too valuable, and even if Cine looks great this summer, Minnesota has more than enough safeties.
Cine is the ultimate roster bubble guy this July and August.
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.
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