Story by
Four Players the Vikings Should Consider Cutting or Trading Before the Regular Season Starts
- Story by
- Four Players the Vikings Should Consider Cutting or Trading Before the Regular Season Starts
The Vikings ' training camp is currently underway as they prepare for their first preseason game against the Giants this Saturday.
The team is assessing players and starting to form a semblance of a 53-man roster for the beginning of the regular season.
Advertisement
There have been plenty of position battles , particularly on the roster bubble that will be important for determining who will be a Viking entering this season, but as we head towards the start of the preseason, there are always players that aren't necessarily on the roster bubble that the team could consider moving on from for one reason or another.
These players might occupy roster spots that could be given to ascending young talent, or they might be in the midst of contract negotiations, and it might be easier just to trade them.
For whatever reason, these are the four players the Vikings should consider moving on from before the season starts.
Advertisement
Jordan Addison
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch against New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Jordan Addison is a free agent after the 2027 season, and over his first three years in the NFL , his production has dropped each year.
This doesn't mean he's a bad player, and in fact, I believe the Vikings could get a good amount of value in return for him if they decide to trade him, given his relative youth and great potential, especially if given a larger role on a team desperate for receiver talent.
It could be in the Vikings' best interest to trade Addison now and let another team sign him to what will likely be a huge contract extension , an extension that will come with risks given Addison's slumping production and off-the-field concerns.
Advertisement
If the Vikings could get a first-round pick or a second and some change for Addison, I would say they should jump at the opportunity, especially since they seem to have a rising star in the WR room in Tai Felton who could replace Addison's production.
Carson Wentz
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Vikings are likely to keep both Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy on their roster regardless of who wins the quarterback competition . While Carson Wentz might try to beat out J.J. McCarthy as QB2 on the roster, I think it's much more likely that Wentz ends up as QB3, and at that point, is it worth keeping him around? Would he even want to stay around as a third-stringer?
Advertisement
The Vikings could cut or even potentially find a trade partner in a desperate, QB-needy team, simply because they most likely won't need him.
If the situation occurs where the Vikings need to utilize a third-string quarterback, I don't think the team will be very competitive at that point, and it would be a waste to play a veteran like Wentz when they could continue trying to figure out how to unlock Max Brosmer 's potential.
At that point, the season would most likely be lost anyway; why try to salvage wins when they could test out Brosmer while getting a better draft slot at the same time?
Advertisement
Eric Wilson
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) reacts against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Vikings were happy to be the beneficiaries of a late-career resurgence for veteran linebacker Eric Wilson last year, but that 6.5-sack and 115-tackle performance represented a major outlier in Wilson's career.
At 32, the veteran is likely to have a natural step back in play anyway, so the Vikings could sell high on the linebacker.
With rookie Jake Golday playing very well in training camp, and Jamal Adams being brought in via free agency, the Vikings have the depth to replace Wilson without much trouble. If they can feasibly get a late-round pick for Wilson in a trade, I would say go for it.
Advertisement
Theo Jackson
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) and Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) celebrate after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The former Vikings starter has been on the roster bubble this entire training camp season, and with the addition of Jamal Adams and the potential return of Harrison Smith , Theo Jackson could be on the chopping block early as the team gives more opportunities for younger players to showcase their skills in the preseason as they attempt to make the practice squad.
Best of the Vikings
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
