4 Big-Ticket Items Still Loom for Vikings

Dustin Baker |

Mar 11, 2025

Sep 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs with the ball after the catch in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota Vikings free agency has showcased power moves, including the acquisitions of Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB). The club also re-signed Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.

4 Big-Ticket Items Still Loom for Vikings

But big-ticket items are still lurking, with free agency just over a day old.

These are the big-ticket items, ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).

4. The Cooper Kupp Verdict

Cooper Kupp should be available to sign with a new team on Wednesday or Thursday. And, yes — that’s the same Kupp who won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell in 2021 while winning the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award.

Vikings fans have asked for a WR3 upgrade since the late 2000s. Kupp is the big hope.

Alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Kupp would utterly feast. And don’t forget that Addison could be suspended to start the 2025 campaign due to a 2024 legal infraction.

3. The QB2 Identity

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Daniel Jones is out; he’s a new quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.

Because J.J. McCarthy is so young and recovering from a torn meniscus, the Vikings are virtually guaranteed to sign an experienced QB2 insurance policy.

These are the candidates:

Jacoby Brissett
Joe Flacco
Taylor Heinicke
Mac Jones
Drew Lock
Gardner Minshew
Cooper Rush
Carson Wentz
Russell Wilson
Jameis Winston

2. Harrison Smith — Retirement or Back?

The Vikings appear to be operating this week as if Harrison Smith will be back for one last ride.

At some point, though, he’ll have to lock in the decision. Otherwise, without Smith, this is Minnesota’s safety room:

Josh Metellus
Theo Jackson
Jay Ward
Buddy Bolden

In theory, if Smith did retire, the Vikings could still sign a player like Juan Thornhill.

1. One More Cornerback

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Here’s the CB state of play for the Vikings as of Tuesday morning:

Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
Mekhi Blackmon
Dwight McGlothern
NaJee Thompson
Reddy Steward
Kahlef Hailassie
Nahshon Wright
Ambry Thomas

That group needs one more playable asset.

From free agency, these are the options:

Jaire Alexander*
James Bradberry
Rasul Douglas
Stephon Gilmore
Shaquill Griffin
Mike Hilton
Noah Igbinoghene
Jeff Okudah
Asante Samuel Jr.
Ahkello Witherspoon
*if released

Rookies like Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Jahdae Barron (Texas), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) should be available in April’s draft, as well.

Also Read:
Vikings Go Nuts, Add Another Pro Bowler

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 MIN 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.