Ali Siddiqui’s Vikings Offseason Predictions — All 10
The Minnesota Vikings went a surprising 14-3 this past season. Many did not expect them to make the playoffs after missing it the previous season.
Ali Siddiqui’s Vikings Offseason Predictions — All 10
As good as their record was, they did not win their division and were bounced in the first round. While they exceeded expectations, their performance in the final two games was certainly not something to be happy about.
There is still plenty to build on going forward, though. Most of their key players will be returning, and they currently have $58 million in cap space via Over the Cap (seventh highest in the league).
Here are some possibilities for this offseason:
10. Harrison Smith hangs up his cleats
The 2012 first-round pick has spent his entire career in Minnesota. He is nearing the end. His postgame comments after the playoff loss certainly sounded like someone who set to call it a career. It has been a very good career for no. 22, but everything must end at some time. Smith’s time has come.
His play and leadership will certainly be missed and never be forgotten. All good things must come to an end, though.
9. Brian O’Neill gets extended
He just finished his seventh season in the league and is due $26 million (the highest on the team). He will also become a free agent after the 2026 season. Look for Minnesota to extend him, which will keep him on the team for at least one extra season and lower his cap number, giving the team more money to work with.
8. D.J. Reed will be Minnesota’s biggest free agent signing
While the interior part of the offensive line is their biggest need, they also need to improve the secondary, especially at cornerback. Even if they re-sign fellow cornerback Byron Murphy Jr and safety Camryn Bynum, they still need more from the unit.
Reed will be their biggest signing.
7. Aaron Jones will not be re-signed
Despite rushing for a career-high 1,138 yards and playing in every game, they will move on from him. He is 30 years old, and even though he played in every game, he still dealt with injuries. He also rushed for a career-high 4.5 yards per carry. His fumbles were an issue, too (career-high with five).
He was a good addition, no doubt, and very well-liked by his teammates, but it makes sense to move and use the extra money elsewhere.
6. Byron Murphy Jr, Shaq Griffin, and Camryn Bynum will be re-signed
All three were key contributors to the secondary and will be brought back. Griffin, especially, was a low-risk, high-reward signing. All deserve to be brought back, but they need another player or two added to join them.
5. Two guards will be signed
Right guard Trey Smith is a favorite among many Vikings fans, and it is hard to imagine the team will not even pursue him. However, given how much he will cost, they could likely have to settle for cheaper options.
Other available right guards are Matt Fries, Kevin Zeitler, Brandon Scherff, and Mekhi Becton. Teven Jenkins, Patrick Mekari, and Aaron Banks are available left guards.
All guards mentioned would undoubtedly be upgrades over Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, and Dalton Risner. There are plenty of good guards available in free agency.
4. Ingram and Risner will be gone
Ingram was the starting right guard for the first nine games before being benched for Risner. Minnesota would save $3.325 million by releasing him. Risner is a free agent. It’s hard to see either being brought back.
If they cannot sign more than one guard, maybe they will re-sign Risner for cheap, but it would be a shock if he starts again.
3. Garrett Bradbury will be back
Since being drafted in 2019, Bradbury has certainly not lived up to expectations. Minnesota would save $3.622 million by releasing him, but if they sign two guards, they could roll with him for one more year as their center.
Having two upgraded guards next to him should help him. No, it will not make him very good, but maybe slightly above average.
2. Vikings will draft a running back with their first pick
Whether Jones is brought back or not, a running back for the future is necessary. If Jones is out, the rookie has a very good chance to start.
Maybe they will trade down, but either way, they will take a running back with their first pick. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty should be gone by no. 24, but Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson could very possibly be available and be the pick. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is another possibility.
1. Daniel Jones will be re-signed
With Sam Darnold very likely gone due to his impending price tag, J.J. McCarthy will likely be the starter after missing all last season. They will still need someone to back him up and possibly push him during training camp. Jones will not be expensive to keep.
Maybe Jones could win the job and start at the beginning of the season, or maybe most of it until McCarthy is ready. Either way, it will significantly benefit McCarthy to have someone push him.
Minnesota should be very active in free agency for the second offseason in a row. Last year, their main signings, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman, all contributed greatly to the team.
If this year’s free agency even comes close to last year’s, Minnesota could possibly compete for a Super Bowl in 2025. Of course, they need to stay healthy, too, and a good draft certainly will not hurt either. McCarthy likely will not play as well as Darnold did for them this past year, but if he does okay, it could be enough for Minnesota to compete for a championship. This team already has plenty of talent and could add more this offseason.
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