The Vikings Absolutely Unloaded
Remember a couple of months ago when the Minnesota Vikings embarked on a much-anticipated spending spree in free agency? The numbers confirm that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not hold back.
Some numbers are in with free agency in the rearview, and as it turns out, the Vikings unloaded.
Minnesota added impactful newcomers left and right, preparing for a Super Bowl window to open if one assumes quarterback J.J. McCarthy will become a decent or better quarterback.
And according to Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walters, Minnesota outspent all competitors.
Vikings Outspent Everyone … by a Mile
Walters publishes a weekly column about Minnesota’s sports tidbits, and the Vikings’ spending bonanza gained a little attention.
He wrote last weekend, “The Vikings so far this year are No. 1 in the NFL in cash spent on players, $362.3 million, per Spotrac.com. The Packers at $259.5 million, are No. 27 in the 32-team league. Last season, the Vikings ranked 18th at $228.4 million, the Packers 19th at $234 million.”
Walters also mentioned McCarthy’s role with all the newcomers: “So much of the coming Vikings season will depend on how rookie QB J.J. McCarthy plays. At this juncture, a 10-7 regular season record isn’t unreasonable.”
The $362.3 million is no joke, and onlookers should expect Minnesota to be all in for a Super Bowl in the next several seasons.
The Newcomers
Where did the millions stacked on millions go? Mostly the offensive and defensive trenches.
Adofo-Mensah signed guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts to a five-year, $88 million deal. He also onboarded Fries’ teammate in Indianapolis, center Ryan Kelly.
But the purple team didn’t stop at the offensive line. The club signed two keynote defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders (three years, $51 million) and Javon Hargrave of the San Francisco 49ers (two years, $30 million).
Adofo-Mensah also notably signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, linebacker Eric Wilson, cornerback Jeff Okudah, wide receiver Rondale Moore, and offensive tackle Justin Skule, among others.
All In with a QB on an Affordable Contract
The Vikings unloaded so much cash for one central reason: they had the funds because McCarthy will play on a cheap contract for the next four years.
Minnesota picked McCarthy from Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and almost no matter what, he’ll be attached to head coach Kevin O’Connell’s depth chart through the end of 2028. Adofo-Mensah won’t have to pay McCarthy top-tier quarterback money until 2029, so the time was now to spend big in free agency.
It’s the coveted NFL team-building strategy — load up around a promising young passer for four or five seasons.
Symbolic End of the Kirk Cousins Era
Why haven’t the Vikings done this recently? They couldn’t.
Kirk Cousins led the team at quarterback from 2018 to 2023, and while he never checked in as the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, he usually pulled down the eighth-most cash or so per season among his peers.
If the $25 million to $40 million is funneled into the bank account of one player, especially one like Cousins, who was productive but not elite, free-agent spending sprees, like Adofo-Mensah’s in 2025, are virtually impossible.
The 2025 offseason marked the first time Cousins’ contract was fully removed from the books (dead cap funds lingered in 2024), so the Vikings could explode onto the scene as spenders.
And they did.
More Tidbits from Charley Walters
Walters covered oodles of topics in his recent article, even touching on the Vikings’ upcoming trip to Ireland.
He wrote, “The Vikings will play the Steelers in Ireland on Sept. 28, but not because of deference to the Vikings. The game at Croke Park in Dublin is for the Rooney family, owners of the Steelers. Dan Rooney was U.S. ambassador to Ireland under President Obama.”
“It was the Steelers who sought a game in Ireland, and it just happened that the Vikings were chosen. Then the Vikings, who already have played four regular-season games in London, agreed to stay another week and play the Browns in London at Tottenham Stadium.”
He also noted on Adofo-Mensah’s contractual situation: “The 2025 NFL draft and free agency have been completed and Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has one season left on his initial four-year contract, remains without an extension even though Vikings ownership has said it will get done.”
The Vikings are currently holding organized team activities (OTAs), which will continue into next week.
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