The Vikings’ Starters on Defense Who Need New Contracts
The Vikings must make 2026 their breakout year, moving beyond just the regular season with playoff wins.
Why? Well, with a substantial portion of their offensive starters set to become free agents in 2027, the upcoming season carries pressure to perform. While Minnesota can attempt to re-sign some, or even most, of these players, retaining every key contributor appears unlikely. The defense faces fewer impending free agents than the offense, but enough to warrant discussions now.
Here’s the list of Vikings defensive starters on tap for 2027 free agency, in alphabetical order.
Cashman and Van Ginkel Headline Minnesota’s Defensive Decisions
Blake Cashman (LB)
The Eden Prairie native is a tackle machine who just so happens to miss about four games per year like clockwork. He also turned 30 last month, so Cashman has probably peaked.
He’s still worth an extension, though, as off-ball linebackers can thrive well into their 30s, unlike most running backs, for example. Cashman logged a casual 144 tackles in 13 games in 2025. He’s an anchor of Brian Flores’s defense.
It’s worth noting, too — this will also apply to Andrew Van Ginkel later on this list — that Minnesota just drafted Jake Golday of Cincinnati. In theory, Golday could create an off-ramp for Cashman if new general manager Nolan Teasley doesn’t have Cashman in the long-term plans.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Rodgers inked a two-year deal during the 2025 offseason, and he did not disappoint during his maiden voyage season. In fact, he produced one of the greatest games in team and NFL history against the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He was also pretty damn solid as a whole.
The Vikings’ brass knows, behind closed doors, whether it values Rodgers for the long haul. He’s 28 and will have about three more seasons of optimal value. In the meantime, the Vikings drafted 5th-Round corner Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin, who could morph into a small-school gem.
Rodgers is also Minnesota’s fastest player, showcasing 4.28 speed six years ago before the 2020 NFL Draft. He can fly.
Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad noted on the state of the Vikings’ CB Room this offseason, “The last thing the Vikings need to do is find cornerbacks. Murphy could rebound from a tough year after being asked to play out wide more than he did in 2024.”
“Rodgers had flashes during his first season in Minnesota, and Pierre is a sleeper who allowed 16 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown with an interception, nine pass breakups, and no penalties on 35 targets with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, according to Pro Football Focus.“
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Van Ginkel has ascended to the role of the Vikings’ top outside linebacker, a somewhat surprising but real development.
Following Minnesota’s trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles last month, Van Ginkel now stands as the primary veteran presence alongside Dallas Turner, who is entering his first full season as a starter. That makes Van Ginkel critically important to Flores, who already trusts him with complex defensive assignments.
Van Ginkel’s versatility is a key asset. He can disrupt a play from the EDGE and then seamlessly drop back into coverage on the subsequent snap, executing the kind of dynamic schemes Flores is known for. His understanding of a disguise-heavy, chaotic defensive approach significantly impacts the unit’s effectiveness.
Approaching 31 this summer, Van Ginkel isn’t getting any younger. The Vikings may need to consider extending his contract if they wish to retain him beyond 2026. In his two seasons with the team, he has accumulated 18.5 sacks, 32 quarterback hits, 133 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.
For the immediate future, Van Ginkel is the defensive linchpin. While an explosive performance from Turner would be a welcome bonus, Van Ginkel remains crucial to maintaining the team’s pass rush.
Jay Ward (S) and/or Theo Jackson (S)
No one is exactly sure which safety will start next to Josh Metellus in 2026; it’s a question to be answered at training camp and after the team definitively learns Harrison Smith’s plans.
Ward came on strong last December, quietly swiping Jackson’s starting job. If Smith doesn’t come back one more time, Ward may be the Week 1 starter. Stay tuned.
In any event, both Ward and Jackson are scheduled for free agency in March. One could be extended this summer, or the front office could let it all play out. Yes, the Vikings could be safety shopping next offseason.
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