3 Big Upcoming Vikings Items to Monitor This Week

Dustin Baker |

Mar 1, 2025

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings finished 14-3 in 2024, an unforeseen record after sportsbooks tabbed the purple team for a 6-11 or 7-10 season last offseason.

3 Big Upcoming Vikings Items to Monitor This Week

Nine days remain until the beginning of free agency, and the 2025 NFL Combine is winding down in Indianapolis.

So, these are the three times to monitor this week, with the free-agent calendar about to turn white-hot, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top item to monitor).

3. Re-Signing Depth Players

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota safety Theo Jackson (26) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Last year, at this time on the calendar, Minnesota re-signed safety Theo Jackson and tight end Nick Muse. Those men filled depth positions in 2024, and this week could follow suit for such news in 2025.

Candidates for this category?

Cam Akers (RB)
Jonathan Bullard (DT)
Dan Feeney (G/C)
Shaquill Griffin (CB)
Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB)
Theo Jackson (S)
Daniel Jones (QB)
Nick Mullens (QB)
Johnny Mundt (TE)
Brandon Powell (WR)
David Quessenberry (OT)
Trent Sherfield (WR)
Jihad Ward (OLB)

In truth, this week is really fair game for any in-house free-agent re-signing.

2. Released Players

Minnesota General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined Paul Allen to talk about a variety of topics, including previewing the Week 8 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. October 22nd, 2024. MIN finished 14-2 in the 2024 regular season.

Minnesota has $63 million in space — that can somewhat easily climb closer to $90 million with player releases and contractual restructures.

So, keep an eye on these players who could, in theory, be cut to prepare for free agency:

Brian Asamoah (LB)
Garrett Bradbury (C)
Blake Brandel (LG)
Ty Chandler (RB)
Ed Ingram (OG)
Josh Oliver (TE)

1. The Sam Darnold Tag Deadline

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (12) talk after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. | Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. | Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts in the closing seconds of the game against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

The Vikings have until Tuesday, March 4th, to choose Sam Darnold’s fate.

That’s the deadline for the franchise tag, and if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doesn’t use it, well, Darnold will probably walk to open free agency.

If Tuesday comes and goes with no activity, Darnold can absolutely not be traded by the Vikings. And some fans really, really want that to happen so Minnesota can grab a sweet draft pick.

Tuesday is Darnold judgment day for that eager draft pick-thirsty crowd.

Also Read:
March 10th Is Quite the Judgment Day for Vikings

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

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