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The Ultimate Guide to Vikings Free Agency in 2026
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- The Ultimate Guide to Vikings Free Agency in 2026
Jeffrey Becker
Every year, we provide the masses with a complete handbook to Minnesota Vikings free agency, and 2026 is no different — besides the fact that the club doesn't have quite as much cash spend as last year. From incoming players to unfortunate roster releases, we've got you all set from cover to cover.
Everything Minnesota needs before March: who stays, who goes, and which outside names fit the budget.
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NFL free agency begins on March 9th, and here's everything you need to know about the purple team.
The Vikings' Internal and External Shopping List for 2026
The annual Vikings free agency atlas.
Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) runs a route during a home game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Nailor saw rotational offensive snaps as Minnesota evaluated its receiving depth, working to carve out a consistent role within Kevin O'Connell's passing attack during the 2024 season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The In-House Free Agents
Strangely, the Vikings' free-agent batch this year doesn't quite have the suspense stories like most offseasons. For example, there's no wondering if Danielle Hunter will be back, Sam Darnold doesn't work here anymore, and Camryn Bynum plays for the Indianapolis Colts .
Instead, the internal free agents look like this:
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Ty Chandler (RB)
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Fabian Moreau (CB)
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Jalen Nailor (WR)
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Matt Nelson (LT)
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Jeff Okudah (CB)
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Ivan Pace Jr . (LB)
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Jalen Redmond (IDL)
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Bo Richter (EDGE)
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Brett Rypien (QB)
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Zavier Scott (RB)
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Justin Skule (LT)
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Ben Sims (TE)
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Harrison Smith (S)
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Taki Taimani (DT)
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Tavierre Thomas (CB)
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Carson Wentz (QB)
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Eric Wilson (LB)
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John Wolford (QB)
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Ryan Wright (P)
The main headliners for "Will he be back or sign elsewhere?" are Nailor and Wilson. Nailor's next contract may not be congruent with Minnesota's tight budget. Wilson, on the other hand, played like a Pro Bowler in 2025; the team probably has to sign him out of necessity.
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On Smith, it's retirement watch.
Redmond — arguably the team's second-best player in 2025 behind Justin Jefferson — is an exclusive-rights restricted free agent; it will be straightforward to keep him in Minnesota.
Candidates for Release
This is where it gets more "exciting," as Minnesota must release some players to be compliant with the NFL salary cap.
The candidates:
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Jonathan Allen (DT)
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Javon Hargrave (DT)
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T.J. Hockenson (TE)
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Aaron Jones (RB)
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Ryan Kelly (C)
Hargrave is the most likely to be released; credible reports have already suggested that Minnesota is shopping him in a trade. The rest feel like 50-50 on a cap casualty fate, although it doesn't make much financial sense to cut Allen.
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Kelly sustained three concussions in 2025. Like Smith, he may retire.
The Men Who Could Be Traded
The trade list is similar to the cut list:
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Jonathan Allen (DT)
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Javon Hargrave (DT)
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T.J. Hockenson (TE)
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Aaron Jones (RB)
All of these men would probably fetch a late-round draft pick. Too, there could be a scenario in which the Vikings move on from wide receiver Jordan Addison after multiple off-the-field incidents. Some have even spitballed J.J. McCarthy as a trade possibility if Minnesota could land a franchise quarterback like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson .
Contractual Restructure Targets
No, this category does not mean players will take pay cuts to stay with the organization; instead, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski could wiggle 2026 money around to later years:
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Jonathan Allen (DT)
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Christian Darrisaw (LT)
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Will Fries (RG)
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Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
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T.J. Hockenson (TE)
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Justin Jefferson (WR)
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Aaron Jones (RB)
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Byron Murphy Jr. (CB)
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Brian O'Neill (RT)
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Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Think of it this way: your phone buzzes, saying the Vikings have freed up cap space to spend on 2026 free agency. It will be because some of the money from the players' contracts listed above got moved to 2027, 2028, or 2029.
Players Looking for Extensions
On men asking for new deals, here's the list:
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Jordan Addison (WR)
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Blake Brandel (OL)
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Blake Cashman (LB)
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Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
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Brian O'Neill (RT)
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Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
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Jay Ward (S)
Addison may have to prove he can avoid trouble this offseason; then, the Vikings would extend his contract in 2027. The deadline to opt into his fifth-year option is May 1st. That day will be telling.
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard pressure Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18), forcing a first-quarter fumble at U.S. Bank Stadium. The defensive play highlighted Minnesota's aggressive front, with Cashman and Greenard collapsing the pocket and creating an early turnover opportunity. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The rest of the players, after Addison, have little or no guaranteed money left on their contracts. They could quite reasonably request an extension this offseason.
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Possible External Free Agent Targets
Now — the external free agents who may activate the Vikings' radar.
Quarterback
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Carson Wentz
It's also worth noting that Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa may be dropped by the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins , respectively, in the next couple of weeks.
Running Back
Breece Hall of the New York Jets is already expected to be franchise- or transition-tagged, wiping him off the list.
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JK Dobbins
Wide Receiver
If Minnesota doesn't re-sign Nailor, they'll need a WR3 if they don't trust last year's rookie Tai Felton . That list could look like this:
Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) lines up pre-snap during a road game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Bourne worked as a veteran option in New England's passing attack, providing experience and route-running stability as the Patriots searched for offensive consistency late in the season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Many have connected Hill to Minnesota because he grew up as a Vikings fan.
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Tight End
Like Hall in New York, the Atlanta Falcons already decided that Kyle Pitts will not see the open market. If Hockenson leaves, here's the TE1 replacement list:
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Chig Okonkwo
Center
Ryan Kelly could — should? — retire after multiple concussions. Assuming Minnesota doesn't nominate Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens for starting center duty, these are the options:
Linebacker
The routes if the Vikings don't re-sign Wilson or Pace Jr:
Cornerback
Every offseason, it feels like the Vikings need at least one cornerback; 2026 is no different. The options for a corner to accompany Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers on the depth chart:
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Cor'Dale Flott
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Josh Jobe
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Greg Newsome II
Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) jogs onto the field before a home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Watson prepared for defensive duties in Kansas City's secondary, aiming to support a unit tasked with containing Baltimore's dynamic passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Most NFL-themed media expect the Vikings to use their 1st-Round draft pick on a cornerback, which could make CB free agency somewhat uneventful.
Safety
Finally, at safety — if Harrison Smith retires:
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Coby Bryant
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Bryan Cook
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Nick Cross
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Kamren Curl
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Kyle Dugger
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Geno Stone
" Legal tampering " starts the free agency process, and that is just nine days away.
