9 Vikings Free Agents Still Waiting for a Job
Five days of free agency are in the books, and the Minnesota Vikings have several players awaiting their marching orders. The club was quieter than usual this week, but it was not too surprising, as interim general manager Rob Brzezinski had announced as much a couple of weeks ago.
Minnesota still has familiar names on the market as roster decisions continue.
There’s plenty of time for the following nine men to find employment, and some of the players will hear their names called before too long.
The Vikings Still Have Plenty of Free Agents in Limbo
Notes from a rather silent Vikings free agency — aside from the Kyler Murray acquisition.
1. Ty Chandler (RB)
Drafted by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in 2022, this speedster does not appear to be on track for a Vikings reunion. The team suddenly has three running backs on the 2026 roster — Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott — and will probably draft one in April.
2. Fabian Moreau (CB)
As a CB3, Moreau played wonderfully in 2025. He fired up a 54.2 passer rating allowed in 11 games, and nobody really cared because he’s not a high-profile name. Minnesota should re-sign him as the CB4.
3. Matt Nelson (LT)
Nelson is pretty anonymous in NFL speak. A practice squader. It’s no surprise that he has signed nowhere through free agency’s first wave.
4. Jeff Okudah (CB)
Okudah battled concussions and poor performance as Minnesota’s CB3 out of the gate. He’d check in games, and the other team’s quarterback would abuse him. His career is on the back nine. A true draft bust from 2020.
5. Brett Rypien (QB)
One year ago at this time, Rypien was the Vikings’ QB2. Oh, how times have changed. He’ll hope to snag a QB3 post somewhere in the next several months.
6. Justin Skule (LT)
The Vikings should re-sign Skule for two reasons: a) Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery is spooky b) Brian O’Neill is getting older. Skule played serviceably in 2025, about all you can ask from a backup OT.
7. Harrison Smith (S)
The Vikings “released” Smith on Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean he’s gone for good. In fact, Smith seemed to get better late in 2025; he owes it to himself to return in 2026, if only as a situational defender.
Can you imagine the Vikings winning a Super Bowl in 2026 with Kyler Murray in the saddle — and Smith isn’t along for the ride? That should send shivers down your damn spine. And his.
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness on Smith’s future: “Making this move is important for the salary cap, as the Vikings will take just a $3 million cap hit with $7.6 million set to defer until 2027. This is important to note with Smith’s contract, as they had to do something. It also means that Smith can return without any issues. Whatever Smith returns at, they can give him that with just a $3 million salary cap hit this upcoming season.”
“Since 2022, Smith has had some interesting salary cap hits. With this now in the rearview mirror, the Vikings don’t have to pressure Smith. They can take their time to agree on a deal without having this hovering over their heads. Will Smith return? We don’t know for sure. However, they will be ready whenever that decision is made.”
8. Carson Wentz (QB)
Wentz reportedly met with the New York Jets this week about a QB2 job, but no contract materialized. Vikings fans should expect him to return to Minnesota as the QB3. It just makes too much sense.
Our Janik Eckardt on Wentz: “If Wentz walks, fans will remember him fondly. His time as a Viking was one of being crazy tough, almost to the point of foolishness and cruelty. He was in considerable pain while his body clearly wasn’t close to being fully healthy. Wentz nevertheless kept going back out there.”
“If the Jets move on from Justin Fields, the Vikings may consider adding him to shore up the passer depth. Oddly enough, the Jets and Vikings have often walked hand-in-hand when it comes to the quarterback position. Seeing Wentz journey over to the AFC team would be another chapter in the weird story.”
9. John Wolford (QB)
Wolford served as the Vikings’ emergency QB3 last season when everyone got hurt or just plain stunk. He won’t be back in 2026.
If anything, Wolford will get the nod from a team as a practice squad option in 2026 and beyond.
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