Another Vikings Starter Headed for the Exit
Over the past few days, the offseason has generated some momentum around the league, and for the Minnesota Vikings as well. It turns out the organization will look a lot differently next season.
Over the weekend, reports suggested that the Vikings would try to trade running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. If that is unsuccessful, the two pricey players will be released. On Wednesday, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was added to the list.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote, “The Minnesota Vikings are expected to release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in the coming days as they continue to whittle down their salary cap deficit and reduce their cash commitments, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday.”
Allen was added last offseason, signing a lucrative three-year, $51 million contract. The Washington Commanders had previously released the former Pro Bowler. His lone season with the Vikings was unspectacular. He did a lot of the necessary dirty work, allowing others to shine, but he didn’t make many splash plays throughout the year.
It is a move to save salary cap and cash. Seifert explained, “Allen was an expensive one-year investment for the Vikings, who signed him as a free agent in March 2025. Allen earned $16.2 million last season, during which he played in all 17 games and finished with 68 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also has $8 million in full guarantees for 2026, which would be partially offset if he signs with another team. The move will save the Vikings $6.5 million against their 2026 cap.”
Releasing Jones and Hargrave makes sense because it frees up most of the salary cap allocated to them, but Allen’s contract is structured differently. His contract was not constructed to be ended after only one season, which is why there’s a painful dead salary cap hit in 2026 if the Vikings indeed release him.
The club will still be in the salary cap deficit after parting ways with Jones, Hargrave, and Allen. More moves will follow. Other potential cut candidates are center Ryan Kelly as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson. It is noteworthy, though, that contract extensions (Brian O’Neill) and contract restructures (Justin Jefferson and Jonathan Greenard) could get the job done. Greenard has been named in recent trade reports, which is another way to save the cap hits owed to him.
Seifert commented, “Moving on from Allen, Hargrave and Jones will save the Vikings $25.2 million against the cap. It also will get them out of paying roughly $40 million in cash that would have been due.”
Back to Allen. Hired to give the interior of the defensive line a boost, the two-time Pro Bowler never fully recaptured his previous Pro Bowl form. Playing and starting all 17 games, Allen generated 3.5 sacks and 68 tackles (7 tackles for loss).
PFF ranked him as 84th of 127 eligible interior defenders with a subpar grade of 53.2. It’s his third consecutive grade in the 50s, ranking him below average in all three campaigns. Especially concerning is his run defense.
Allen was more efficient as a rusher, tabulating 34 QB pressures, ranking him 5th on the team.
Without Hargrave and Allen on the roster, the Vikings are at least one defensive tackle short and need to acquire players in free agency and the Draft. Jalen Redmond, who stole the veterans’ spotlight last season, will continue to wear the purple in 2026 after the Vikings exercised the exclusive rights tender.
Perhaps the Vikings hope that Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins could take the next step in their development. They were selected in the last two Drafts.
Ultimately, Allen was a failed investment. The Vikings didn’t get the desired play out of the veteran and now move on after only one season. He’s 31, but should still receive interest on the open market.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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