The Top 6 Vikings Players on the Free Agent Bubble
The Minnesota Vikings have 25 players scheduled to hit free agency in 6.5 weeks. This offseason is set up to fully open a would-be Super Bowl window for the purple team, assuming quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the real deal.
Vikings Free Agent Bubble — The Top 6 Players
Minnesota has about $60 million in available cap space as of January 25th.
And with free agency 45 days away, these are the five Vikings players on the bubble, ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).
Please Note: This article assumes Sam Darnold’s asking price will be too large for Minnesota and that he’ll hit free agency accordingly.
6. Shaquill Griffin (CB)
Griffin produced a 64.3 Pro Football Focus grade this season, a decent output for his price tag and age. But heading into 2025, Minnesota might use free agency to add a corner like D.J. Reed or the NFL Draft to select a rookie, such as Shavon Revel Jr.
If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swings and misses in free agency or the draft, Griffin could be a fallback plan.
5. Dalton Risner (RG)
Risner’s PFF mark checked in similar to Griffin — 67.0 — but he didn’t grab the starter’s job until midseason. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted at offensive line improvement after his team lost to the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago, meaning Risner and others could be on the chopping block.
In back-to-back free-agent periods, 2023 and 2024, Risner received very little attention.
4. Daniel Jones (QB)
Jones joined the Vikings about two months ago after the Giants cut ties. Minnesota quickly pounced, forging a possible QB2 relationship for 2025.
The veteran passer would be the perfect QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy next season, especially if Sam Darnold bolts for the highest bidder.
Nevertheless, this one is about money, and whichever team gives Jones the biggest bag.
3. Aaron Jones (RB)
Aaron Jones posted 1,546 yards from scrimmage in 2024, a wonderful output from a 30-year-old running back.
Minnesota ranked 20th in the NFL per DVOA, though, and it’s unclear if the Vikings will want to entrust a 31-year-old running back with an RB1 workload.
It’s worth noting that Jones has said for months that he wants to finish his career in purple.
2. Camryn Bynum (S)
According to Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters, Minnesota will likely re-sign Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy and safety Camryn Bynum when the offseason hits. Walters revealed two weeks ago, clarifying two top offseason priorities.
“It’s clear the Vikings will re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy, who has six interceptions this season, and probably safety Cam Bynum, because it’s unlikely Harrison Smith, who turns 36 next month after 13 seasons, will return,” Walters opined on January 13th.
This one is a toss-up. A different NFL club could pay Bynum a higher salary, although the Pioneer Press is pretty confident about his return.
1. Byron Murphy (CB)
Before the 2024 season kicked off, Murphy told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here.”
Couple that sentiment with Walters’ reporting, and Murphy seems like he’ll return for a few more years.
His asking price increased when he made the Pro Bowl this season, but Minnesota should be able to afford him, especially if it doesn’t spend big money on Sam Darnold’s demands.
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.
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