Story by
3 Vikings Who Could Be Cut in 2026
- Story by
- 3 Vikings Who Could Be Cut in 2026
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have some financial hurdles to navigate heading into the 2026 offseason.
According to Over the Cap, the Vikings have the second-worst salary cap situation in the NFL, currently sitting at just under $49 million above the projected salary cap of $295.5 million for this year.
Advertisement
With that reality, the Vikings will ultimately have to do some shuffling over the next few weeks before free agency to ensure that they are cap compliant once free agency begins in March. Here are three Vikings who could be cut candidates to make that happen.
C Ryan Kelly
J.J. McCarthy and Ryan Kelly move through warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium as Minnesota prepares for Houston, with the session unfolding on Aug. 9, 2025 during early preseason work in Minneapolis. The quarterback-center pairing rotates through stretching and snapping routines while coaches monitor timing and communication, offering a clear look at developing chemistry ahead of the team's first exhibition game of the summer. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Ryan Kelly was viewed as the answer to Minnesota's problems at the center position when he signed with the Vikings this spring.
However, multiple concussions later, there may be some concern that the 32-year-old (who will be 33 years old by Week 1 of the 2026 season) can't stay on the field for a full season. He played just eight games for the Vikings in 2025 after appearing in just 10 games during his final season as an Indianapolis Colt in 2024.
Advertisement
Additionally, the Vikings saw Blake Brandel take some solid snaps when he played at the position, and Brandel's cap hit is just under $4.2 million in 2026 compared to the $12.1 million cap hit for Kelly in 2026.
If the Vikings were to move on from Kelly, they would save $8.3 million against the salary cap with a dead cap hit of just under $3.4 million.
DT Javon Hargrave
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (97) gets pressure on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Javon Hargrave was brought in to shore up Minnesota's pass rush from their interior defensive line this season, but he ended up recording the lowest sack total for a non-injury-ravaged season since his rookie year.
Hargrave totaled just 3.5 sacks over 16 games. With the emergence of Jalen Redmond as well as the presence of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins , the Vikings very well could look to part ways with the veteran in the coming weeks.
Advertisement
Hargrave currently carries a cap hit of $21.4 million in 2026, which isn't something Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should be interested in paying. The Vikings can save $12.25 million of that cap hit by cutting Hargrave.
RB Aaron Jones
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) runs the ball during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA. © Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
One major goal for the Vikings this offseason should be getting younger at the running back position . Aaron Jones may be a pretty productive player still, but he just turned 31 and turned in his lowest yards from scrimmage total since his rookie year.
Jones missed five games in 2025, marking the second time in the past three years he has missed at least five games due to injuries.
Advertisement
If the Vikings were to part ways with him, they would have to eat $6.8 million in dead money, but they would save $7.75 million rather than paying him $14.55 million.
Editor's Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
