Report: Vikings Playmaker Leaning toward Free Agency in 2026
The Minnesota Vikings’ tight end room is in decent shape for the upcoming season, employing T.J. Hockenson at the top of the ticket, along with Josh Oliver at TE2.
One Vikings playmaker will apparently size up free agency next offseason, according to one report.
But fans who enjoy the duo should enjoy it for the next seven months because it may be the end of the road when the 2026 offseason arrives.
Why? Well, according to one report, Oliver is leaning toward testing free agency next March, not re-upping for a fourth season in Minnesota.
Tight End Josh Oliver Reportedly Targeting 2026 Free Agency
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson recently joined a panel on SKOR North airwaves and relayed the Oliver tidbit.
He said, “If I had to bet, I’d like to think the two sides come to a happy medium eventually, that this is the next extension to get done — that it’s not Josh Oliver. I think, at this point, Josh Oliver hits unrestricted free agency next March, which, my understanding, is he would be okay with.”
“He’s moved around already. He sure likes it here. He is banking on himself having a good year this year, then being in a position to sign a third contract, maybe even back here. But not signing a contract extension like before training camp. I don’t think that is happening unless things change. But right now, in the moment, no movement on the Josh Oliver front.”
While an extension would make sense for the veteran tight end, it also adds up that no serious extension talks have emerged whatsoever in the last several months.
When it’s all said and done, Oliver may simply play out his contract and sign with another team in March 2026.
Josh Oliver’s Role in Vikings’ Offense
Oliver has played for the Vikings in two seasons, joining the club as the first free-agent signing of 2023. He’s logged 44 receptions in 32 games for 471 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Oliver has been targeted just 56 times in two seasons, which equates to 1.8 per game.
He’s not featured often in the Vikings’ offense, and some would like to see that change.
Ironically, when Oliver turned pro in 2019, he profiled as a pass-catching tight end with little blocking prowess. Fast forward a few years, and his resume flipped. The league now perceives Oliver as a blocking tight end who contributes here and there with receptions in the passing game.
He’s known for doing the “dirty work” in Kevin O’Connell’s pass-happy offense.
The Other Tight Ends
Entering mandatory minicamp — that kicks off this week — these are the Vikings’ tight ends on the roster:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Gavin Bartholomew
- Ben Yurosek
- Bryson Nesbit
Bartholomew, Yurosek, and Nesbit are rookies. Hockenson’s current contract runs out after the 2027 season. Oliver, therefore, is the shortest-term tight end on the roster.
Trade for a Replacement Now?
Perhaps the Vikings should get a jump on Oliver’s replacement now. If Wolfson is correct and Oliver has just 17 games left in his stop with Minnesota, other tight ends might be available.
For example, the Las Vegas Raiders utilize Brock Bowers at TE1, picking the phenom tight end one year after spending a 2nd-Round selection on Michael Mayer in 2023. Bowers’ arrival buried Mayer on the Raiders’ depth chart per targets, and some believe Mayer could use a fresh start — while actually getting targets in an offense.
At a relatively low cost via trade, probably for a 5th-Rounder or so, the Vikings could obtain Mayer for 2025 and beyond, lessening the blow of Oliver’s evidently imminent departure.
Kyle Pitts, too, of the Atlanta Falcons, could be on the trade block, and most of the NFL fan community knows all about him from his 2021 1st-Round draft stock and subsequent fantasy football role.
It wouldn’t be dumb or weird one bit for Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to inquire about Mayer’s or Pitts’ price tag.
PurplePTSD’s Take on Oliver
Janik Eckardt remarked on Oliver one week ago, “The blocking aspect is the key component of teammate Josh Oliver’s game. It turns out that it’s helpful to have an elite blocking grade on the same site that produced the rankings. Oliver clocked in 21st. Oliver’s addition was quite surprising in 2023, considering Hockenson was the obvious tight end going forward.”
“However, head coach Kevin O’Connell wanted a top blocker next to him, and he surely got one. As a pass-catcher, the veteran had a big chance last year when Hockenson was unavailable, and while he logged career-best yard and touchdown numbers, he still only generated 258 yards and three scores. Oliver is fantastic at what he does. His third year in Minnesota will be his contract season.”
The Vikings could even get lucky and find a gem in Bartholomew or Yurosek, for example, regarding Oliver’s replacement next offseason.
Oliver turned 28 in March.
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