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3 Under-the-Radar Free Agency Decisions Facing the Vikings
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- 3 Under-the-Radar Free Agency Decisions Facing the Vikings
The Dream 2026 NFL Draft Prospects for the Minnesota Vikings
On March 9th, the NFL's " legal tampering " period begins, which means the Minnesota Vikings are 22 days away from signing new players — once they clear some cap space . And to get you ready for that week, a handful of under-the-radar decisions await.
Vikings free agency hinges on a few quieter choices that can swing depth, cap flexibility, and the next wave of starters.
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The club will navigate free agency with interim general manager Rob Brzezinski running the finances and head coach Kevin O'Connell, along with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, evidently calling the personnel shots.
Three Quiet Free Agency Calls That Could Affect Minnesota's 2026 Roster
The first Kwesi Adofo-Mensah-less free agency in five years.
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) races upfield after securing an interception on Oct 9, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, during a fourth-quarter clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. Flott weaves through traffic as teammates set up blocks in a pivotal late-game sequence. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
1. Will the Vikings Cross CB — a Popular Draft Need — Off the List in Free Agency?
The Vikings successfully navigated the 2025 campaign with these cornerbacks: Byron Murphy Jr. , Isaiah Rodgers , Fabian Moreau , and Jeff Okudah . Murphy Jr. and Rodgers missed zero games, a remarkable feat for two starting cornerbacks .
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The problem? Minnesota probably won't get another pristine year of CB health. It's rare.
Therefore, the club needs another cornerback — someone more dependable than Okudah and younger than Moreau. Many fans have just assumed that a Round 1 cornerback will be on the way. While that could be true, Minnesota could also just as easily sign a CB from free agency and call it good.
The options will look something like this:
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Montaric Brown (JAX)
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Cordale Flott (NYG)
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Greg Newsome II (JAX)
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Alontae Taylor (NO)
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Jaylen Watson (KC)
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Tariq Woolen (SEA)
Does Minnesota prefer free agency or the draft for the new cornerback? The draft isn't a foregone conclusion, contrary to popular belief.
2. Is the Ivan Pace Jr. Era Totally Over?
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Pace Jr.'s diminished role was evident even before the 2025 season reached its midpoint.
As veteran linebacker Eric Wilson gained traction as a starter, Minnesota quickly adjusted the snap counts. Within weeks, Pace Jr. transitioned from a full-time starter to a rotational player, with Wilson absorbing the majority of the workload. This shift was accelerated by a series of missed tackles by Pace Jr. in September, and Wilson's consistent performance only solidified the change.
This timing was unfortunate for Pace Jr., who entered 2025 after a strong rookie campaign in 2023 and a solid follow-up in 2024. He posted a 77.1 PFF grade as a rookie and started 27 games across two seasons — impressive production for an undrafted free agent. However, his 2025 grade dipped to 42.3, dampening extension talks at a crucial time.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts following a defensive stand on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during an NFC wild card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Pace gestures toward teammates as the playoff intensity builds in the second half. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
Although restricted free agency keeps Minnesota in control, that doesn't guarantee a reunion. The Vikings have already demonstrated that their defense can function effectively without Pace Jr. in a prominent role, a reality that will influence their decision-making.
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Pace Jr. likely views the open market as a clearer path to consistent starting opportunities. Minnesota might reconsider if Wilson's performance declines, but the coming weeks should reveal whether this late-season shift was a temporary adjustment or a long-term change.
3. A Rookie RB or Veteran RB?
Most Vikings fans expect Aaron Jones to be released in the coming weeks; he'll be 32 next season, and the club could use the cap savings elsewhere on the roster. Jordan Mason is under contract, and at age 26, he'll have a role on the 2026 squad.
But the club probably needs a high-profile running back to hopefully solve the longstanding rushing problem; Minnesota is just too damn run-heavy.
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From free agency, O'Connell and counterparts could pursue a veteran like Travis Etienne , Breece Hall , or Kenneth Walker . In the draft, rookies like Jonah Coleman (Washington), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), and Nick Singleton (Penn State) will probably be gettable after Round 1.
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) celebrates with wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) after a touchdown on Nov 22, 2025, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, during first-half action against Syracuse. Price points skyward while Fields joins him in the end zone amid the home crowd's roar. © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Our Janik Eckardt wrote this week , "Running back is on the wishlist of many Vikings fans, for good reason. Minnesota could move on from Aaron Jones after two seasons. He is under contract for another year, but the Vikings are about $40 million over the salary cap and releasing the veteran would save $7.75 million. Jones has been a decent back for the Vikings, but at 31 with an extensive injury history, getting some more juice in the room with Walker, perhaps even for a smaller 2026 cap hit, could be intriguing."
Eckardt also mentioned about Walker, the Super Bowl MVP: "Having his explosiveness in the backfield is certainly a dimension the Vikings have missed in the Kevin O'Connell era. That upside, however, comes at the cost of traits Minnesota has leaned on heavily under O'Connell. The two things that could prevent the club from throwing the bag at the 25-year-old are pass protection and pass-catching."
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If one assumes that Minnesota releases Jones in favor of a younger RB1 option, what's the preferred method? Free agency or the draft?
