Dustin Baker’s Bold Vikings Free Agency Predictions for 2026
“Bold” predictions in sports media are designed to be outlandish, dreaming big and shooting for the stars, and often not grounded in total realism. Consider the following prognostications precisely those for Minnesota Vikings free agency.
Minnesota won’t have endless cash, so the predictions lean on cap gymnastics, value, and one big bet.
The club doesn’t have much money to spend in 2026, especially compared to 2025, but let’s get some juicy stuff on record.
Five Bold Purple Predictions for Free Agency
The gaudy theories about one week out.
1. Fans Leave the Free Agent Process Thinking “Boring”
In 2025, the Vikings had about $70 million spent in free agency, using that cash on high-profile veterans like guard Will Fries, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and defensive tackle Javon Hagrave, among others. This time isn’t like that — not by a long shot.
Minnesota still has to clear cap space, needing to overcome a $43 million cap hurdle to sign any players.
Therefore, if you’re expecting Minnesota to hunt big fish like Tyler Linderbaum and George Pickens, you’re probably mistaken. The Vikings will announce their quarterback verdict, which may cause shock waves, but generally speaking, fans will wrap up a few waves of free agency and say, “That’s it?”
2. The Vikings Sign DT Christian Wilkins
Wilkins didn’t play in 2025 after the Las Vegas Raiders dropped him. The reasons for his release were speculated wildly, but after a year off, the 30-year-old Wilkins needs another shot.
When everything is humming for Wilkins — without controversy — he’s a fantastic defensive tackle. In fact, the Vikings allegedly poked around his free agency in 2023, even when his was ultra-expensive.
The Raiders said last summer when releasing Wilkins: “We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team. This franchise has a commitment of excellence on and off the field.”
“With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for a new season.”
Minnesota will sign Wilkins to a one-year prove-it deal. Why? Well, Wilkins was Brian Flores’s very first draft pick in Miami seven years ago. There’s a connection. There’s no better team to give Wilkins a shot at career redemption than Flores’s Vikings.
3. It’s Noah Igbinoghene at CB3 or CB4
Remember the Jeff Okudah signing last year? The one where most fans groaned but by midsummer had warmed up to the idea that he’d somehow have a breakout season with the Vikings?
This year’s version of that will be Igbinoghene, another alumnus from Flores’s days in Miami. Folks shouldn’t expect Igbinoghene to arrive in Minneapolis and ball out, but as a CB3 or CB4, he could latch on for a season or two.
We’ll just say it: Igbinoghene isn’t very good. Yet, he’s produced a passer-rating-against between 85.0 and 90.0 in the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders. As a CB3 or CB4, that’s servicable.
4. Minnesota Adds LB Devin Bush
It’s unclear if Ivan Pace Jr. will re-sign in Minnesota — probably not — while most expect the club to re-up with Eric Wilson, who was phenomenal in 2025.
Still, if Flores opts for Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson as his primary inside linebackers in 2026, he’ll embark on a campaign with two defenders over the age of 30, and with Cashman, he usually misses at least four games per year.
Insert Devin Bush.
Flores crossed paths with Bush in 2022 when Flores coached the Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebackers. Coming full circle, Minnesota will sign Bush to a two-year, $18 million contract. Bush is 27, making him two years younger than Cashman and four years younger than Wilson.
He tabulated 125 tackles and 3 interceptions for the Cleveland Browns last season.
5. It’s Kyler Murray at QB
Signing Kirk Cousins for cheap is the safe play as a prediction, but this article isn’t about safe plays. The bold prediction is this: the Cardinals, with the NFL’s worst-ranked ownership, per the recent NFLPA survey, will release Murray, setting off a sprint to his agent’s phone. It’s not every day that a quarterback with first-overall draft stock, who has better career efficiency than Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield, gets dropped into the open market.
Murray grew up as a Vikings fan, and recognizing that Minnesota has the defensive coordinator, WR weaponry, and quarterback-whispering head coach, he signs a one- or two-year deal with the Vikings.
Given his recent injury history, Minnesota keeps McCarthy close as the QB2.
The Murray Era in Minnesota begins and could end up wonderfully if Kevin O’Connell tailors his offense to Murray’s strengths.
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