Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor lines up before the snap during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 13, 2025. Nailor rotated into Minnesota's offensive personnel packages during the postseason matchup as the Vikings attempted to generate momentum in the playoff environment on the neutral-site stage. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Dustin Baker·Vikings Territory
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5 min read
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With free agency and the NFL draft complete, theMinnesota Vikings' roster is pretty well set in regular-season-speak, currently employing 90 players, a figure that will shrink to 53 in late August. So, let's account for who left the franchise.
Minnesotamoved on from 16 players altogether before camp.
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Listed in alphabetical order, these Vikings from the 2025 roster no longer work for the purple team.
Oodles of Familiar Names Have Already Left the Vikings' Roster
These men chose a different path in 2026 and beyond
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen lines up before a snap against the Arizona Cardinals on Sep. 29, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Allen remained one of Washington's key defensive anchors during the regular season, using his power and experience to pressure quarterbacks and help stabilize the Commanders' front seven on the road. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Vikings wanted Caleb Banks for the DT role in 2026, so six weeks before adding him in the draft, they released Allen, who signed withthe Cincinnati Bengalssoon after. He's onJoe Burrow's team now, and because of that relationship, Minnesota doesn't have much of a 2027 cap burden regarding his contract. Out with the old, in with the young for Minnesota at defensive tackle.
Minnesota didn't want Chandler back in 2026, prompting him to join theNew Orleans Saints, where he'll quickly encounter a crowded RB room withTravis Etienne, Kenre Miller,Alvin Kamara,Devin Neal, andAudric Estime. He faces an uphill battle to make the Saints' regular season roster.
Sadly, Minnesota ended the Greenard era after two years, sending him tothe Philadelphia Eagles, along with a 7th-Round pick, in exchange for two 3rd-Rounders. TheDallas Turnerera is here, and the Vikings lost their best defensive player in Greenard.
Ham spent a decade as the Vikings' fullback, sticking around in Minnesota from cover to cover. He was a lifer. He called it quits this offseason, retiring on the same day asAdam Thielen.
The Vikings drafted Michigan's Max Bredeson as Ham's replacement last month.
Like Allen, Minnesota has no room for an old defensive tackle, cutting Hargrave and watching as he signed withthe Green Bay Packersdays later. Minnesota will see Hargrave in Week 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Hargrave isn't a true nose tackle, but in the draft, the Vikings picked Iowa State's Domonique Orange as a DT swap.
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6.Ryan Kelly | C
Kelly sustained three concussions last year, and like Ham, he retired this offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler had a sweet career, and now the Vikings will presumably hand the center baton to longtime veteranBlake Brandel.
Moreau quietly had a solid 2025 season as Minnesota's CB3, giving up just a 54.2 passer rating in 11 games. Most probably didn't notice, though, as Moreau isn't exactly a household name. Still, the Vikings could do worse for a backup corner.
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If the price is right, Minnesota should consider bringing him back as a CB4 or CB5. You can never have too much reliable depth at corner, especially for a defense that thrives on versatility and trust.
Nailor signed with theLas Vegas Raidersfor three years and $35 million. He could rather easily be the Raiders' WR1 or WR2 this season. To backfill his job, the Vikings signedJauan Jenningsa week and a half ago.
Okudah's tenure as Minnesota's CB3 was largely unsuccessful. Concussions frequently kept him off the field, and when he did play, his performance didn't inspire confidence in his long-term NFL future. Opposing quarterbacks frequently targeted him, always with the utmost success and much to Vikings fans' chagrin.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Okudah speaks with reporters after mandatory minicamp on June 10, 2025, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Okudah discussed his role in the Vikings' defense and his offseason progress as the former first-round pick attempted to carve out a meaningful spot in Brian Flores' secondary entering the 2025 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Minnesota Vikings
The former third overall pick now appears eternally saddled with the "2020 draft bust" label.
Surprisingly, back in May 2025 — just a year ago — Rypien was the Vikings' QB2. How quickly things can change.
Now, he's likely seeking a QB3-QB4 spot elsewhere, perhaps with a team in need of an affordable veteran arm for training camp. While Rypien could still be useful as a camp arm, his path back to Minnesota appears closed.
Sims will try on theMiami DolphinsTE room for size. The Vikings have a healthyGavin Bartholomewreturning in 2026 and evidently didn't need Sims at TE3 or TE4.
The Vikings released Smith in March, but that may not signify the end of his story in Minnesota.
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Smith was still performing well late in 2025, suggesting a 2026 return remains a possibility, even if in a smaller or situational role. If the Vikings are serious about chasing a Super Bowl withKyler Murrayat quarterback, it would feel strange for Smith to be watching from home.
And likely strange for Smith himself. His return/retirement remains up in the air. A source toldVikingsTerritoryabout Smith's decision-making process, "He's been inTennesseesince January."
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Justin Skule lines up during second-half action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Skule worked in protection packages as Minnesota navigated an NFL International Series matchup overseas, with the Vikings offense attempting to sustain momentum during a key regular-season drive. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Skule spent three seasons in Tampa Bay from 2022 to 2024. He hopped over the Vikings in 2025 but will now be a Buccaneer once again. For replacements, Minnesota signedRyan Van Demarkfrom theBuffalo Billsand drafted Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan.
Wolford served as Minnesota's emergency QB3 last season amidst injuries and chaotic quarterback play. He is not expected back in 2026. At best, Wolford might secure a practice squad spot or an emergency QB role elsewhere. While that holds value in the league, it likely doesn't align with Minnesota's plans for its future quarterback — like Rypien's situation.
Most fans believed Wright would be the Vikings' punter for the long haul, but he chose the Saints in free agency. Minnesota signedJohnny Hekkeras his replacement, who was the best punter in football eight years ago, and undrafted collegiate stud Brett Thorson. A punter battle is on the way at training camp this summer.
