You need a one-stop shop for all of the Minnesota Vikings 2025 free-agent doings — and this is that, with NFL players soon to be on the move in about one week.
In this third annual handbook, we’ll explain existing free agents who are free to sign anywhere, players theorized as cap casualties, men who could be traded, others who could be targeted for contractual restructuring, and realistic external free agents the Vikings could pursue.
The Complete Guide to Vikings Free Agency in 2025
With free agency’s “legal tampering” period just nine days away, Minnesota has about $63 million to spend on the open market. In 2023, for example, the club was in the negative by $24 million. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has undoubtedly made the franchise more financially agile.
Players will double up on this atlas; that’s just the nature of the beast. Cap casualty guys could ultimately be traded — or some could expect restructures.
Alas, follow the atlas.
The Free Agents
These are men who played for the 2024 Vikings who can sign anywhere beginning the week of March 10th if they’re not re-signed.
- Cam Akers (RB)
- Camryn Bynum (S)
- Jonathan Bullard (DT)
- Sam Darnold (QB)
- Dan Feeney (G/C)
- Stephon Gilmore (CB)
- Shaquill Griffin (CB)
- Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB)
- Theo Jackson (S)
- Aaron Jones (RB)
- Daniel Jones (QB)
- Patrick Jones II (OLB)
- Fabian Moreau (CB)
- Nick Mullens (QB)
- Johnny Mundt (TE)
- Byron Murphy Jr. (CB)
- Brandon Powell (WR)
- David Quessenberry (OT)
- Dalton Risner (OG)
- Cam Robinson (LT)
- Trent Sherfield (WR)
- Harrison Smith (S)
- Jerry Tillery (DT)
- Jihad Ward (OLB)
- Ryan Wright (P)
Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, Camryn Bynum, and Byron Murphy Jr. headline this class. It’s a reasonable bet that two of the four will return.
Overall, you should expect about 60%-70% of the players listed above to leave the team.
The Potential Cap Casualty Players
These are players under contract in 2025 but wouldn’t inspire utter shock if released.
- Brian Asamoah (LB)
- Garrett Bradbury (C)
- Blake Brandel (LG)
- Ty Chandler (RB)
- Ed Ingram (OG)
- Josh Oliver (TE)
Asamoah and Ingram can be considered likely to be released. Brandel and Oliver are longshots. Bradbury and Chandler live in the middle.
The Trade Candidates
- Brian Asamoah (LB)
- Garrett Bradbury (C)
- Blake Brandel (LG)
- Sam Darnold (QB)
Similar to the cut list — but with Darnold.
Trading Sam Darnold via the franchise tag is probably the most realistic and exciting option this offseason, as Minnesota might squeeze a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder from another team.
Fans will find out if Minnesota has a plan to trade Darnold this Tuesday — the franchise tag deadline.
The Restructure Candidates
These are players the Vikings could tab for contract wiggles.
- Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
- T.J. Hockenson (TE)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
Keep in mind: most of these money moves would be procedural. These are “move the money” around candidates. Nobody would take a pay cut. These are merely contracts to target for cap gymnastics if Minnesota needs “emergency” cash.
Looking for Noteworthy Extensions
Consider these players already under contract but looking to secure their next big contract.
- Josh Metellus (S)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
- Jalen Nailor (WR)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Metellus is quietly due for an extension; his existing deal expires after the 2025 campaign. O’Neill has no more guaranteed money left on his deal, though he’s under contract for two more seasons. And Nailor is probably the only extension-worthy candidate from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first [wretched] draft class.
Van Ginkel vastly outplayed his contract last year and probably needs a reworked deal.
The Free Agent Targets
Admittedly, this is a crapshoot because one must hijack Adofo-Mensah’s psyche to know his wishlist. But keep these names in mind. Relatively obscure names are excluded. So are in-house Vikings free agents.
Running Back
- J.K. Dobbins
- Rico Dowdle
- Najee Harris
- Jaylen Warren
- Javonte Williams
Wide Receiver
- Keenan Allen
- Amari Cooper
- Hollywood Brown
- Diontae Johnson
- Cooper Kupp (if released by LAR)
- Adam Thielen (if released by CAR)
- Mike Williams
Center
- Drew Dalman
- Ryan Kelly
Offensive Guard
- Mekhi Becton
- James Daniels
- Will Fries
- Teven Jenkins
- Brandon Scherff
- Kevin Zeitler
Defensive Tackle
- Jonathan Allen (via Trade)
- Poona Ford
- Javon Hargrave
- B.J. Hill
- D.J. Jones
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Jarran Reed
- Milton Williams
Cornerback
- Paulson Adebo
- Carlton Davis
- Rasul Douglas
- Kristian Fulton
- Mike Hilton
- Nate Hobbs
- Mike Jackson
- Jonathan Jones
- D.J. Reed
- Asante Samuel Jr.
- Charvarius Ward
- Denzel Ward (via Trade)
Safety
- Jeremy Chinn
- Jevon Holland
- Talanoa Hufanga
- Tre’Von Moehrig
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 Vikings 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.