Vikings Quietly Setting Up Major Free Agency Moves
The start of free agency is fast approaching, and the Minnesota Vikings have work to do to become salary cap compliant — even more work to do to create space for any new signings. To do so, there are certain moves to look out for over the coming weeks.
Cap Maneuvers Signal Minnesota’s Next Wave of Roster Decisions
The work has already begun with the announcement that two veterans will be released at the start of the new league year (March 11) if no teams make a trade offer before then. The release of Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave will save the Vikings $18.65 million — a good start to trimming the salary cap. It will leave Minnesota with just under $27 million in additional savings to reach parity.
Clearly, more moves are required, and there are several ways the Vikings can do this. More releases, contract extensions and restructures, or trades will be on the table as acting general manager and salary cap wizard, Rob Brzezinski looks to get Minnesota ready for the start of free agency. Here are some of the possible moves that could be on the table in the coming weeks.
T.J. Hockenson Paycut
Hockenson is scheduled to be the highest-paid tight end in 2026 on the back of a couple of less productive years due to a bad knee injury. He had been circled as a potential cut candidate to save the Vikings money, but reports have surfaced that Hockenson has told the team he is willing to take a pay cut in order to stay. If Minnesota can make similar savings and keep Hockenson, then it’s a no-brainer; he is still a good TE.
More Cuts
Hargrave and Jones are the first names in line for release, but I don’t think they will be the last. Three separate concussions decimated Ryan Kelly’s first year in Minnesota. With a history of concussions before arriving in Minnesota and turning 33 years of age in May, the Vikings may decide it’s best to move on.
Jonathan Allen was another disappointing free-agent signing in 2025, and while his release would have to be designated as post-June 1, doing so would save the Vikings $11 million. A couple of players who would save the team around $4 million each with their release are Isaiah Rodgers and Blake Brandel.
Releasing Rodgers after one inconsistent season would seem premature, and Brandel is a good utility lineman. Ideally, both stay, but it depends on how desperate the Vikings get to find savings.
Brian O’Neill Extension
Brian O’Neill is in the last year of his contract and remains a consistent presence at right tackle for the Vikings. There have been some injuries, but O’Neill has never played fewer than 14 games in a season. He will turn 31 in September, but should still have enough years left in him to warrant a new contract, with the usual backloading of money, which should provide considerable cap savings on the $23.1 million due this year.
Contract Restructures
There are several players the Vikings could restructure contracts with for immediate salary cap relief. All the players on long, expensive contracts are candidates, like Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Byron Murphy, and Will Fries.
Restructuring all of those contracts would put the Vikings in a healthy cap spot for 2026, but, of course, it would move a lot of money down the road that will need to be addressed later.
Kicking the can down the road, so to speak, splits opinion. Some people don’t like it, and some think the salary cap is a myth. The truth is, restructures and cap management are essential to running an NFL team, but they have to be done wisely. All of those players won’t get a restructure, but a couple probably will. Darrisaw would be my prime candidate.
A Jordan Addison Trade
Fantasy trade proposals for Justin Jefferson by media folk and fans outside of Minnesota have become an offseason tradition. No such trade will be happening, but Jefferson’s WR partner, Jordan Addison, could be a trade candidate. The Vikings must decide on Addison’s fifth-year option this year. He has too much talent to be discarded so easily, but his ongoing off-field discrepancies have proven to be a headache.
A strong trade offer may be enough for the Vikings to decide to move on, and while that will only save $2.6 million against the cap this year, it will save money next year and will add to the years draft arsenal. The value of any trade proposal will determine if it’s a worthwhile move.
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