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Vikings See the Other Shoe Drop.
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- Vikings See the Other Shoe Drop.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
A motivated pass rusher can be a scary pass rusher. So, should there be some fear in the Twin Cities about the Vikings seeing Javon Hargrave earn a new gig over in Wisconsin?
Wednesday brought news that had long been anticipated: Mr. Hargrave had been released alongside Jonathan Allen . The team's official social media shared the news : "The #Vikings have released DL Jonathan Allen and DL Javon Hargrave."
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Not long afterwards, ESPN's Adam Schefter offered the update : "From Minnesota to Green Bay : Former Vikings DT Javon Hargrave reached agreement today on a 2-year deal for $23 million, including $13 million this year with the Packers, per Drew Rosenhaus."
Buckle up for a double dose of The Gravedigger in the Vikings' 2026 season.
Vikings See Javon Hargrave Trade Horns for Cheese
Over on PurplePTSD , Janik Eckardt covers the Hargrave decision.
Some thoughts: "Losing Hargrave may not dramatically alter Minnesota's defensive blueprint, but it removes an experienced rotational piece from a unit already facing depth questions. Replacing his snaps will likely require a combination of internal development and external additions before training camp."
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Further: "Meanwhile, his quick landing in Green Bay adds an extra layer of intrigue to the NFC North rivalry, where familiar faces often become unexpected obstacles once the regular season begins. The Vikings will meet Hargrave twice in 2026."
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur shake hands at midfield prior to a game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
To my eye, Hargrave is still a good ball player. Very good, in fact.
He may not be the player he once was due to a combination of age and past injury, but he can still fire out of his stance. The defender's explosiveness puts guards on their heels as he quickly wins the balance battle with the large lad opposite him. Even the world's strongest linemen will struggle if the balance gets compromised.
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Last season, Hargrave offered up just 3.5 sacks. More discouraging, perhaps, is that he only had 6 quarterback hits alongside 4 tackles for loss. Ideally, the plays behind the line of scrimmage would have been more abundant even as the veteran is more of a pass rusher than a run stopper.
Looking back, the Vikings would have been much better off rolling with Hargrave, Harrison Phillips , and Jalen Redmond . That trio contains a pass rushing specialist, a rugged run stuffer, and an all-around talent. Shoring up the depth would have been Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins .
Alas, that's an insight that's coming with the benefit of hindsight.
Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the date Dec. 7, 2025 marking a physical matchup against the Washington Commanders in Minneapolis. Hargrave was active along the interior defensive line, showing emotion after a key sequence as Minnesota worked to control the trenches late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel–Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft has received some hype around the defensive tackle talent. Minnesota doesn't have an urgent need in this area, but there's no such thing as too much talent in the trenches. Grafting a high-end DT into the mix would be a major win for Minnesota.
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Minnesota' top pick arrives at No. 18. Keep in mind that the team also had a 2nd alongside a pair of 3rd-Round selections.
Prior to the official cut, Hargrave suggested on social media that his modest statistics were at least partly due to the Brian Flores scheme .
Editor's Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
