3 Cut Candidates for the Vikings During the 2026 Offseason
If Minnesota Vikings fans looked at a salary cap website like Over the Cap right now, stomachs might drop.
As of now, the Vikings currently 30th in the NFL in cap space for 2026, sitting $35,983,572 in the red. Needless to say, Minnesota has a bit of work to do financially next spring if they want to sign their own draft picks, let alone bring in additional talent through free agency.
However, there are a few moves that can be made to help the team get back in the black. Here are a few cut candidates who could be playing their final games in a Vikings uniform.
RB Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones was brought in during 2024 to help bolster a Vikings running game that had been lackluster over the first few years of Kevin O’Connell’s tenure as head coach.
There have been a few high moments for Jones as a Viking, but his age has started to show through injuries, particularly in 2025. The running back has missed four games this year and has just 300 rushing yards at a clip of 4.5 yards per carry.
Jones turned 31 years old on December 2, and we’ve probably seen the best of his days as a football player. If the Vikings were to part ways with him, they would have to eat $6.8 million in dead money, but they would save $7.2 million rather than paying him $14 million. There are a few talented running backs in this upcoming draft class, and many analysts have been sending Jeremiyah Love to Minnesota in the first round. A pick like that would more than replace Jones not only in 2026 but for years to come.
C Ryan Kelly
When the Vikings brought in Ryan Kelly this offseason, fans rejoiced as it seemed Minnesota had finally found a solution at the center position, which had eluded the franchise for years.
However, two concussions later, there may be some concern that the 32-year-old (who will be 33 years old by Week 1 of the 2026 season) can’t stay on the field for a full season. He’s played just five games this season after missing seven games in 2024.
Additionally, the Vikings have seen decent play at center from Blake Brandel when he’s gotten reps at the position, and Brandel’s cap hit is just under $4.2 million in 2026 compared to the $12.1 million cap hit for Kelly in 2026. More enticing is the fact that Kelly has no more guaranteed money on his deal, meaning the Vikings would save that entire $12.1 million by releasing him this offseason. That would put a major dent in their salary cap woes.
TE T.J. Hockenson
It seems wild that this isn’t out of the realm of possibilities after what T.J. Hockenson did during his 1.5 seasons in Minnesota after being acquired at the trade deadline during 2022.
However, the 28-year-old has not been the same player since coming back from his knee injury suffered at the end of the 2023 season. His 6.3 yards per target in 2025 are the lowest of his career since his rookie season, and he has just 358 yards and two touchdowns this year.
Part of that may be attributed to poor quarterback play, but he is due $21.355 million in 2026. The Vikings can save $8.93 million by releasing him next spring. With Minnesota having their own picks in the second and third rounds this spring, along with a third-round compensatory pick likely coming their way, Minnesota can pick up a tight end on the second day of the draft.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this article.
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