Only One Viking Lands on Top Free Agents List
The Minnesota Vikings have about 20 internal free agents due to hit the open market in less than one month, but according to Fox Sports, only one will be sought after at a Top 100 clip: linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.
Pace Jr. was the lone Minnesota name to earn real recognition, and his uncertain role makes the offseason stakes sharper.
That website published an annual list of the league’s top free agents, and as a restricted free-agent honorable mention — not even included in the true Top 100 — Pace Jr. got a wee bit of respect.
Minnesota’s Internal Free-Agent Class Is Thin
The Vikings’ internal free-agent list is its blandest in years.
Pace Jr. Pulls Down Small Mention on Top FA List
FOX Sports‘ Greg Auman carved out a special section for restricted free agents, noting, “The top 100 were all unrestricted free agents, but we want to throw a bone to the restricted free agents, who are tendered by their original teams, allowing other teams to make an offer sheet that the original team can choose to match or sometimes get draft-pick compensation from the new team.”
“That rarely happens, but here are the top 10 RFA talents worth keeping an eye on.”
His list of 10 RFAs:
- Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys
- Ja’Quan McMillian, CB, Broncos
- John Metchie, WR, Jets
- Emanuel Wilson, RB, Packers
- Jack Gibbens, LB, Patriots
- Jake Tonges, TE, 49ers
- Ivan Pace, LB, Vikings
- Sean Tucker, RB, Buccaneers]
- Jake Browning, QB, Bengals
- Chad Ryland, K, Cardinals
And then that was it for Vikings’ free agents in 2026 — a somewhat anonymous group.
The Rest of the Non-Mentioned FAs
Aside from Pace Jr., the Vikings have several men about to test the open market, but the world won’t crumble if they leave.
Here’s the full list, including Pace Jr.:
- Ben Sims (TE)
- Bo Richter (EDGE)
- Brett Rypien (QB)
- Carson Wentz (QB)
- C.J. Ham (FB)
- Eric Wilson (LB)
- Fabian Moreau (CB)
- Harrison Smith (S)
- Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)
- Jalen Nailor (WR)
- Jalen Redmond (IDL)
- Jeff Okudah (CB)
- John Wolford (QB)
- Justin Skule (LT)
- Matt Nelson (LT)
- Ryan Wright (P)
- Taki Taimani (DT)
- Tavierre Thomas (CB)
- Ty Chandler (RB)
- Zavier Scott (WR)
Many fans would like to see Nailor and Wilson back as priorities. Smith won’t flirt with free agency; he’ll either retire or return for Year No. 15. And Redmond might’ve been the best overall player on defense, but he’s an exclusive right free agent and virtually guaranteed to be back with a sweet pay raise.
The rest of the list features replaceable players or men who will probably return, like punter Ryan Wright.
Where Pace Jr. Might Land
VikingsTerritory dove deep last week, examining where Pace Jr. might land in 2026. You can read that article here.
As a spoiler, here’s the shortlist of destinations:
- Washington Commanders
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
The Commanders lead the way because their new defensive coordinator is Daronte Jones, who served as Minnesota’s defensive passing game coordinator throughout the first part of the Kevin O’Connell era. The Patriots, too, might make sense, as a man named Mike Smith coordinates New England’s outside linebackers, the same job he held in Minnesota during the start of Pace Jr.’s career.
It’s also worth noting that Pace Jr. is from Cincinnati. Perhaps the Bengals will fire up the hometown contract for him.
Why Pace Jr.’s Future Is Uncertain
Pace Jr.’s diminished role in Minnesota was evident even before the offseason hit.
When the aforementioned Wilson emerged, the Vikings quickly reduced Pace Jr.’s playing time, an immediate shift that saw him go from starter to situational linebacker in a matter of weeks, with Wilson taking the majority of snaps. Missed tackles in September accelerated this change, and Wilson’s consistent performance solidified it.
This timing was unfortunate for Pace Jr., who was coming off a productive 2023 rookie season and sophomore effort in 2024, earning a 77.1 PFF grade as a rookie and starting 27 games since the start of that year — considerable production for an undrafted free agent. However, his grade plummeted to 42.3 in 2025, stalling his progress during the very offseason when a contract extension might have been possible.
Restricted free agency gives Minnesota control, but control doesn’t mean the Vikings want him back. They may simply prefer to invest their resources elsewhere, especially after demonstrating they can perform effectively without Pace Jr. as a key defensive player.
Pace Jr. likely believes he can find a more direct path to a starting position elsewhere, and he seems prepared to explore those options. Minnesota could still retain him if Wilson’s strong play proves unsustainable. Ultimately, the coming weeks will reveal whether Pace Jr.’s benching was a temporary adjustment or a sign of a more permanent one.
NFL free agency is 26 days away.
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