The Vikings Still Have Major Free Agency Work to Do
As the expensive Phase 1 of free agency winds down, the Vikings have been busy with player contract restructures, cuts and a few new player signings and re-signings while awaiting the Kyler Murray decision and trying to find a new center, punter and reinforcements in the secondary, on the defensive line and at wide receiver (via free agency or next month’s draft).
Across the entire NFC North, there haven’t been any splashy signings or trades. Since the entire division finished last season with winning records, it’s not a shock to see the Vikings, Bears, Lions, and Packers proceeding with caution compared to losing teams such as the Raiders and Titans overspending in early free agency.
That will change for the Vikings when they likely get Murray signed during or shortly after his visit this week, when they hope to agree to a one-year contract and have Murray pass his physical (after the foot injury that kept him out for most of last season).
Several Key Roster Questions Still Face the Vikings
The Vikings lost a couple of key players, with third wide receiver Jalen Nailor heading to the Raiders and punter/holder Ryan Wright signing with the Saints. The good news was the re-signing of linebacker Eric Wilson, who proved to be a great fit in Brian Flores’ defense with a career year in 2025 (6.5 sacks, 115 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, and four forced fumbles). The 31-year-old Wilson stays on an affordable deal (three years, $22.5 million).
We’ll see how the Vikings’ signing of James Pierre (two years, $8.5 million) plays out for a corner coming from the Steelers (he played 26% of their defensive snaps last season). He should be an upgrade over Jeff Okudah, who didn’t pan out last season. And I still see the Vikings drafting a corner in the first three rounds to compete with Pierre for the No. 3 corner position.
Beyond the most important move of adding a veteran quarterback, there are several areas of concern with the current state of roster building for the 2026 Vikings. Included are:
Center: The Vikings must have been disappointed to see several top centers sign with other teams this week. Heading that list was Tyler Linderbaum, who left Baltimore for a $27 million per-year overpay by the Raiders (the previous highest paid center was Creed Humphrey of the Chiefs at $18 million per year, with Cowboys guard Tyler Smith the previous highest paid interior O-lineman on his $24 million per year deal).
Among other highly-rated free-agent centers, Connor McGovern re-signed in Buffalo, Cade Mays went to Detroit, Tyler Biadasz went to the Chargers, Elgton Jenkins wound up in Cleveland after the Packers cut him, and Carolina signed Luke Fortner.
Lloyd Cushenberry is available after the Titans released him, but he’s coming off a down year so the Vikings may have to look to the draft for a center with one of their early round picks (the Vikings picked up an additional third-round compensatory pick for the loss of Sam Darnold so they have a first [No. 18]), a second and two third-round picks along with five later round picks. I don’t see the team counting on Michael Jurgens to be the starting center, and Blake Brandel is better suited as a backup guard and tackle.
Punter: Despite a strong season for Ryan Wright, it was somewhat surprising to see him leave for New Orleans on a four-year, $14 million contract. The Vikings could look to free agency or the draft for their next punter, and that punter also must have the ability to hold well for Will Reichard. All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaolo was re-signed, so that is good news on the special teams front.
Safety: The Vikings are keeping the door open for Harrison Smith to return, and after his strong finish last season, Kevin O’Connell and Flores likely want him back. The Vikings have to be looking at signing a vet safety (beyond Tavierre Thomas, who was re-signed, though he’s more of a special-teamer) and drafting one in the early rounds, with Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson under contract, but both have their limitations.
Defensive Line: With the release of vets Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, the team needs to add some veteran help on the D-line to play alongside the surging Jalen Redmond and two recent draftees who also have shown promise — Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
I think it would be a mistake to trade Jonathan Greenard, as has been rumored. He is an elite pass rusher and forms a great trio of Edge/OLBs with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner (and Flores can get all three on the field together in passing situations).
Running Back and Wide Receiver: I like that the Vikings will have Aaron Jones back after he accepted a reduced 2026 contract. He and Jordan Mason are a solid pair of backs, but I see the team drafting an explosive, speedy back who can become a dual threat, and they could use one of their early draft picks for such a player.
A wide receiver to challenge for the third WR spot is also a strong possibility in free agency or the draft, especially if O’Connell is not sold on last year’s third-rounder Tai Felton to take over that role.
Stay tuned — there are plenty of potential bargain players for the Vikings to sign in the next phases of free agency, and with nine picks in the upcoming draft, they have the opportunity to add a few quality starters and lots of depth, but they have to do a much better job of drafting compared to recent years.
Around the NFL free agency/trade observations
1. Elsewhere in the NFC North, the Bears have downgraded at center by trading for ex-Viking Garrett Bradbury after Pro Bowler Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement. The Bears are also weaker at wide receiver after trading D.J. Moore to Buffalo. And they lost quality corner Nahshon Wright (five interceptions last season) as he signed with the Jets.
Green Bay’s leading receiver last season — Romeo Doubs — has left the Packers for New England (after the Pats cut ex-Viking Stefon Diggs for cap relief). Starting DE Rashan Gary was traded to the Cowboys, and former first-round LB Quay Walker (who led the Packers with 128 tackles) has signed in Las Vegas. Also, the team lost its No. 2 QB, Malik Willis, to Miami. The Packers added former Gophers corner Benjamin St-Juste, who played for the Chargers last season.
The Lions lost a fine back in David Montgomery in a trade with Houston (ex-Chief Isiah Pacheco was signed to replace him), and starting linebacker/defensive leader Alex Anzalone has signed with Tampa Bay.
So, all of the Vikings’ NFC North rivals have lost some key players in free agency and via trades.
2. Quite the wild situation with Maxx Crosby: Baltimore’s trade of two first-rounders to the Raiders for their Pro Bowl DE was called off after he failed the Ravens’ physical. Baltimore quickly pivoted to sign top DE Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals (for $28 million per year).
If the 31-year-old Hendrickson stays healthy (he missed 10 games last season with a hip injury) and returns to his 2024 form when he led the league with 17.5 sacks, it will wind up as a great deal for the Ravens, who don’t lose any draft picks with the Hendrickson signing.
Now the Raiders have a problem with Crosby’s return: Can he be happy in Vegas, or can they still trade him and get a decent return? It clearly won’t be two No. 1 picks.
3. I think the Rams are a team that has improved significantly at their weakest position — cornerback — through the trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson, who both are coming to L.A. from Kansas City. Darnold threw for 348 yards and three TDs in the NFC title game against the Rams’ secondary, so this was a major area of concern entering 2026 for the Rams.
4. Despite coming off a torn Achilles, Daniel Jones is a big winner in free agency as he signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Colts that could be worth $100 million through incentives.
I’ll have more next week on the Vikings’ free agency moves, including the QB situation and reactions to other signings around the NFL.
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