Our Hottest Takes for Vikings Free Agency
Stay close to your phone at 11:00 am CST on Monday, because “legal tampering” in free agency begins, and the action will be hot and heavy. Accordingly, our writers have formally locked in their bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings’ lane of free agency.
These predictions spotlight the names, risks, and surprise paths that will alter Minnesota’s offseason.
The franchise doesn’t have the same spending power as last year, but that didn’t stop our staff from dreaming big.
13 Bold Takes for Vikings Free Agency
Lock us in for these hot takes regarding the purple team’s free agency.
1. Vikings Sign Safety Nick Cross from IND
Predictor: Wesley Johnson
Vikings swap safeties a year apart with Indy as they bring in Cross to fill the void Cam Bynum left last year.
Cross is exactly the type of safety that Brian Flores will weaponize in his defensive schemes. The Vikings might be able to get him at a slight discount with the available depth at the position in both free agency and the draft. If so, they need to pounce.
2. The Big Splash Is Alec Pierce (IND) at WR
Predictor: Tony Schultz
Many players could be a shocking signing by the Vikings, mostly due to the cap situation. Rob Brzezinski will work his magic. I think they will attack a position that most will be surprised by. I’m going with Alec Pierce, the receiver out of Indy.
Sure, they have some pieces there with Jordan Addison and could bring back Jalen Nailor for less money. The Vikings instead pick up a big-name player to help whoever plays quarterback and to plan for a future without Addison, either through trade or release. But for one year, they will have a stellar wide receiver core.
3. Vikings Add DT John Franklin-Myers (DEN)
Predictor: Steve Hoikkala
After the departures of both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, I look for the Vikings to try to improve this position, not only from within (Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and Elijah Williams), but also by bolstering it in free agency. Franklin-Myers ranked 18th in the league last year in pressures and brought in 8 sacks.
At 29, he is looking for a three-year deal around $15 million per year. If the Vikings are looking for a really good inside pass rusher that can also defend the run, and is not gonna break the bank, Franklin-Myers is their guy.
4. Chiefs Safety Bryan Cook Is the New Main Safety
Predictor: Adam New
The Vikings’ big free agency splash comes at safety in the form of Bryan Cook, who signs a big multi-year deal. The secondary needs bolstering, and Cook would be an ideal free-agent acquisition. He addresses their need for deep safety, and his experience in Kansas City’s blitz-heavy defense makes him a perfect fit for Flores’ defensive scheme.
5. Calais Campbell (ARI) Makes the Vikings His Final Career Stop
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
Landing Kyler Murray looks more likely than not. The boldness comes with the added detail that Murray helps Minnesota to land Calais Campbell, a veteran defensive lineman who is still excellent. Combined with Jalen Redmond, Campbell rejuvenates the Vikings’ defensive line.
6. Vikings Pursue a Top ILB
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
The Vikings will open their checkbook and acquire one of the top linebackers in the class. With Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, and Nakobe Dean expected to hit free agency, there’s no shortage of outstanding backers for Flores’ defense.
7. Brian Flores Tabs Christian Wilkins for DT Duty
Predictor: Dustin Baker
Agreeing not to kiss anybody, Wilkins signs with the Vikings. After his abrupt release from the Las Vegas Raiders, he sat out the 2025 season. The 30-year-old defensive tackle deserves another chance.
When focused and free from controversy, Wilkins is a fantastic player. The Vikings reportedly expressed interest in him during his 2023 free agency, despite his high price tag.
Minnesota should sign Wilkins to a one-year, prove-it deal. Seven years ago, Flores drafted Wilkins as his very first pick in Miami, creating a clear connection now. No team is better positioned to offer Wilkins a shot at career redemption than Flores’s Vikings.
8. Signing Kyler Murray Turns Out to Be a Terrible Idea
Predictor: Josh Frey
This isn’t even a “Kyler Murray is a bad QB” take. I just don’t think he fits in with the Vikings, and he would automatically take the starting job from J.J. McCarthy.
Murray has had a notable injury history over the past four years, and his adjusted yards per attempt consistently are below league average, which won’t mesh well with a head coach who likes his quarterback to push the ball downfield.
Maybe Minnesota thinks it’s time to move on from McCarthy, but Murray isn’t the right guy.
9. Say Hello to Tyler Linderbaum (BAL)
Predictor: Sean Borman
Vikings swing big for Tyler Linderbaum in an effort to shore up the OL following the retirement of Ryan Kelly.
10. J.J. McCarthy Won’t Be the QB2; Marcus Mariota Will
Predictor: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings’ backup quarterback won’t be J.J. McCarthy, and Marcus Mariota would look pretty good in purple.
11. ILB Tremaine Edmunds Signs with Vikings
Predictor: Ali Siddiqui
Jonathan Greenard looks to be gone very possibly, and Eric Wilson is a pending free agent. Edmunds would be a good addition and knows the division well, too.
12. No RBs in Free Agency for MIN
Predictor: Brevan Bane
The Vikings will not sign a running back of any kind during free agency. With Jordan Mason on the roster and Zavier Scott expected to be tendered (per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert), Minnesota will not make a single signing at the running back position, instead opting to spend a Day 2/early Day 3 selection on a running mate for Mason.
13. It’s Crickets
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
There is no hot take because I think the team will be fairly quiet during free agency.
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