Vikings Could Make These Shocking Roster Cuts
In about three weeks, the Minnesota Vikings, along with 31 other NFL teams, will prune their rosters from 90 players to 53.
A handful of surprise cuts could shake up the Vikings’ roster later this month. Here are the names to watch as training camp nears its final stretch, according to fans.
Around 1,200 players will hit practice squads or free agency, and the league will inch closer to the regular season.
So, we asked a panel of purple fans to foreshadow surprise roster cuts for the purple team, as at least one usually enters the chat in August. Question to the panel: “Knowing what you know through a week-plus of training camp, predict Minnesota’s most surprising roster cut.”
Here’s how the group replied.
Surprise Roster Cut Predictions for the Vikings | 2025
Here’s who fans think could be chopped.
Ty Chandler | RB
Predictor: Skol Tom | @SkolfromWI
I’d say the Vikings’ most surprising roster cut that could conceivably happen is Ty Chandler. He’s not a superstar, but he can serve his purpose. After bringing in Jordan Mason, I don’t expect him to get too much work, and think some guys beneath him could pass him up.
I don’t think he’ll be gone, but it’s a possibility, especially as he continues to age without a breakout.
Our own Kyle Joudry wrote about Chandler last month: “Part of what makes Chandler a bit infamous in Minnesota is how common it has been to see him demoted. Originally, he ceded the RB2 job to Cam Akers in 2023 after the former Ram ventured to Minnesota via trade. The same thing occurred yet again in 2024 after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah again traded for Akers, bringing the Texan back to the Twin Cities to be the RB2.”
“Fast forward into the 2024 offseason, and Akers was allowed to walk away. Rather than move forward with Chandler, though, the Vikings went with the aforementioned Jordan Mason.”
If Chandler is dropped by the franchise, Minnesota could explore the post-roster-cutdown market for an RB3 in a few weeks.
Joudry added, “What we have, then, are three demotions for Ty Chandler, all after the Vikings were willing to make a trade for a different runner to be the RB2. Already 27, Ty Chandler was involved in all seventeen games in 2024 but didn’t earn a start. He had 153 plays on offense, resulting in 56 carries for 182 scoreless yards.”
“The 3.3 yards-per-carry average is poor. His 6 targets in the passing game went for 42 yards within his 6 catches. Cutting Ty Chandler would mean recouping $1,100,000 in cap space.”
Rondale Moore | WR
Predictor: Tadd | @st7cubs
Rondale Moore could go from a potential WR3 to being cut. He deserves some benefit of the doubt after coming back from a torn ACL, but Jeshaun Jones and Lucky Jackson aren’t making it easy.
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness noted on Moore a couple of weeks ago while ranking the 43rd-best player on the roster: “In a normal year, Moore would be higher on the list because of his electric ability with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately, Moore suffered a brutal knee injury in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons last year and that has prevented him from practicing as of yet.”
“It’s not known when Moore will make his debut on the practice field, but if he’s healthy, Moore could be a valuable asset for the Vikings on offense with manufactured touches and the punt return game.”
Dwight McGlothern | CB
Predictor: Jens for Norway | @rednopurple77
I don’t know if it would be that surprising, but I wouldn’t be that shocked if they cut Dwight McGlothern. His picks have come against Sam Howell. It seems like the rookie UDFA Vaughn is ahead of him on the depth chart.
Not everyone thinks McGlothern will be waived.
VikingsWire‘s Andrew Harbaugh explained earlier this week, “While he played some in 2024, 2025 is setting up to be one of the biggest years in the football life of McGlothern. He has had interceptions in the last two days of Vikings training camp, and the plays are not looking like they are going to be stopped by him.”
“If he can keep this momentum, parlay that into plays during the preseason schedule, we may be looking at somene who emerges as a bonafide playmaker in the Vikings talented secondary.”
C.J. Ham | FB
Predictor: Chris | @skol227
The most surprising cut would be C.J. Ham. It won’t happen, but they are using him in all types of blocking packages and lining him up close to McCarthy.
Jay Ward | S
Predictor: Eric Horstman @EHorstman 23
There are a few guys I don’t think would be surprises. One I think could be a bit surprising is Jay Ward. But one that would shock me, even though I don’t think it’s going to happen, would be Harrison Phillips. They really added to the defensive line this offseason, and I just think with his lack of pass rush, he could be the odd man out if they had to choose.
The deadline for roster cuts to 53 is on August 26th — about three weeks away.
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