Sitting $40 million over the salary cap in mid-February, the Minnesota Vikings are virtually guaranteed to release a handful of players in the next three weeks. And according to The Athletic , the most likely cut candidate to move the needle is defensive tackle Javon Hargrave .
Hargrave's cap situation puts him under the microscope, and Minnesota's DT depth gives the front office real flexibility if it wants savings.
Minnesota signed Hargrave last offseason, but his stint might reflect a one-hit wonder.
Purple finances are dicey in the 2026 offseason.
Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during the second half against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. Hargrave showed visible emotion after a pivotal interior stop, energizing the defense as Minnesota battled to control the line of scrimmage in a physical late-season matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Athletic: Hargrave the Top Cut Option for Vikings
The Athletic published an article this week, naming one cap casualty per team. For the Vikings, that's Hargrave.
Alec Lewis explained , "The Vikings signed the 33-year-old last offseason with the idea that he could recover some of his game-changing pass-rush potential. There were flashes. However, the consistency lacked, and it didn't feel like he was a phenomenal fit for the scheme of defensive coordinator Brian Flores."
"Minnesota, which is projected to be around $40 million over the cap, can save nearly $10 million by cutting Hargrave. This is an easier move than others, considering the Vikings have trusted depth with youngsters Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez . Other options here are center Ryan Kelly and running back Aaron Jones . Hargrave, though, is an obvious candidate."
Hargrave has actually been whispered about for a cut fate in the last couple of months; Lewis's theory is not new.
Hargrave's 2025 Campaign in MN
Hargrave's Pro Football Focus profile reveals a mixed performance. His 70.0 pass-rush grade contrasted with a 57.3 run-defense mark, resulting in an overall ranking as the 35th-best interior defender, placing him in the league's average tier. While he still showed the ability to collapse the pocket, his impact against the run was inconsistent. Not ideal.
The raw statistics corroborate this assessment. Over 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53%), Hargrave tallied 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and 31 pressures, ranking 34th among defensive tackles in the latter category.
For a team entering the 2025 free agency market in search of a capable and experienced defensive tackle, Hargrave presents an adequate option. However, his recent performance has not matched the Pro Bowl-caliber play he showed earlier in his career.
NFL.com's Matt Okada also determined that Hagrave could be released, noting this week , "The Vikings signed Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million contract less than a year ago, but it might already be time to move on from the 33-year-old defensive tackle."
"Hargrave logged just 3.5 sacks in 2025 — less than half his average yearly production in 2021-23 before a triceps injury derailed his 2024 season in San Francisco ."
Last offseason, the Vikings made Hargrave one of their keynote free-agency signings after years of neglecting the DT spot.
Okada added, "He was fine from a PFF grading perspective (69.1 overall), but it's fair to believe Minnesota expected more when it took the financial risk on Hargrave post-injury."
"Now, the Vikings can release him for $11 million in cap savings, and even with $10.5 million in dead money, that's probably worth it given the Vikings' cap situation and their need to improve around young quarterback J.J. McCarthy (or sign some competition for him)."
Who to Replace Him?
The defensive tackle spot is one of moderate strength in Minnesota, featuring promising depth and ascending talent.
Jonathan Allen remains a veteran asset but could stand to find more consistency by 2026. Jalen Redmond established himself as a key player last season, performing as one of the team's top three players overall and solidifying his long-term future as a starter.
Levi Drake Rodriguez has demonstrated impressive run-stopping potential and is trending toward a starting role by 2026. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins gained valuable experience as a rookie, while undrafted free agent Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez celebrates with teammate Bo Richter during the 2024 season after a key defensive play on Dec. 15, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium. The moment reflected the energy of Minnesota's young defensive front, with Rodriguez flashing disruptive upside and Richter joining the sideline celebration. Mandatory Credit: Alli Rusco, Vikings.com.
Should the front office still seek to bolster the interior defensive line, there are clear opportunities. Interim General Manager Rob Brzezinski can explore free agency and the draft to strategically add talent without overspending. Rookies like Caleb Banks (Florida), Peter Woods (Clemson), and Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) are popular Round 1 mock-draft theories in February.
Other Cut Candidates
In addition to Hargrave, Minnesota could execute a handful of roster cuts. These men lead the way for options that would provide cap relief:
Jonathan Allen (DT)
T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Aaron Jones (RB)
Ryan Kelly (C)
Allen may be the least likely to be cut, as he would incur a $12.6 million dead cap hit, even with a June 1st designation. And on Kelly, he could retire after sustaining three concussions in 2025.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave line up against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 action on Sep. 8, 2025, at Soldier Field. Both veterans, signed to multi-year deals in 2025 free agency, anchored the interior as Minnesota opened the season with its revamped defensive front. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
It's also worth noting that five of these men — Allen, Hargrave, Hockenson, Jones, and Kelly — could be eligible for contractual restructures rather than outright releases.
Minnesota's roster cuts can begin at anytime; the Miami Dolphins dropped a handful of notable players on Monday, including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and EDGE rusher Bradley Chubb . 'Tis the season.
