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Vikings Rumors Buzz around Mac Jones, a New GM, T.J. Hockenson’s Future
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- Vikings Rumors Buzz around Mac Jones, a New GM, T.J. Hockenson’s Future
Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
It's Super Bowl week, and even though the Minnesota Vikings will not partake in the event — they haven't for about 50 years — the rumor mill remains active. These are some of the top theories in the purple team's orbit.
All three threads point to an offseason defined by QB changes, front office power, and cap maintenance.
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The offseason will turn white hot in one month when free agency kicks off.
Rumor Roundup: Mac Jones , Paton, and Hockenson
The Purple Rumor Mill for Saturday, February 7th, 2026.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones appears on the NFL Network set inside the Moscone Center media hub, with February 4, 2026 marking Super Bowl LX buildup in San Francisco. The national spotlight frames Jones amid offseason speculation as league evaluators assess quarterback movement during a high-profile media week. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rumor: Fansided claims Mac Jones could be a Viking in 2026.
Christopher Kline mapped out the league's 10 splashiest trade candidates last week, pairing each with a projected landing spot. On a potential Jones-to-Minnesota scenario, he wrote , "Mac Jones and Kyle Shanahan finally lived their shared dream when the former first-round pick filled in for an injured Brock Purdy this season. Shanahan reportedly preferred Jones over Trey Lance back in the 2021 draft."
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That belief showed up on the field. "It seems like he was onto something, as Jones delivered impressive results in eight starts for the San Francisco 49ers . He completed 69.4 percent of his passes and threw 13 touchdowns to six interceptions. Purdy is still the 49ers' franchise QB, however, so it would make sense to cash in while Jones' stock is high."
Jones didn't merely stabilize the 49ers' offense in 2025; he ran it with command. The performance even created a tiny bit of friction among the fan base. Some 49ers fans were impressed enough during those eight starts to argue that Jones should remain in the lineup while Purdy took a seat.
Kline also pointed to uncertainty on Minnesota's side: "It's unclear how much the Minnesota Vikings trust J.J. McCarthy at this point. The decision to move on from Sam Darnold has aged like milk; even if Minnesota still believes in McCarthy long term, finding a competent bridge quarterback should be an offseason priority."
"The Vikings' offense borrows liberally from Shanahan's scheme. Darnold went from backup duty in San Francisco to starter in Minnesota and blossomed. Perhaps Jones can follow a similar arc."
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From a schematic standpoint, Jones would thrive in Minnesota. It's just unclear if the 49ers are willing to get rid of the top insurance policy in the NFL.
Rumor: George Paton may be the frontrunner to replace Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
It could be Paton as the Vikings' next top boss.
The Athletic' s Dianna Russini wrote late last week, "On Friday, Wilf did not rule out Brzezinski emerging as a candidate for the full-time general manager role. Multiple league sources believe he would be deserving of consideration." She added, "Another name circulating in conversations with league sources is former Vikings executive and current Broncos general manager George Paton , who still has strong internal relationships."
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Paton circling back to Minnesota carries obvious logic, given his 14 seasons with the organization before landing the top job in Denver . His contract with the Broncos runs through the 2026 season, creating a defined window. One year left.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton addresses media members during the NFL Scouting Combine, with February 25, 2025 unfolding inside the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The annual evaluation event places Paton at the center of roster-building discussions as teams gather intelligence ahead of free agency and the draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Based on Russini's reporting, the timing remains open-ended. The Vikings could explore Paton as early as 2026, or they could take a longer view and wait until the following offseason if circumstances align.
In the meantime, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski controls a critical stretch. The next three months will matter — a lot. He's been part of the Vikings' operation since 1999, and few executives in the league have his institutional staying power. If Brzezinski, alongside Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores, navigates free agency and the draft cleanly, the pressure to install a new general manager will diminish.
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Rumor: T.J. Hockenson continues to be mentioned as a roster cut possibility.
Hockenson's cap number sits just north of $21 million in 2026. Brzezinski has restructuring options available, but CBS Sports ' Joel Corry, a former NFL agent, recently projected a release as the realistic outcome.
Corry pointed to a clear production drop-off following Hockenson's major knee injury. "Hockenson production has significantly declined since having 95 catches for 960 yards with five touchdowns before tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee 15 games into the 2023 season," he explained .
"In the two seasons after the knee injury, Hockenson has 92 catches for 893 yards and three touchdowns in 19 games. Hockenson averaged a career-low 29.2 receiving yards per game this season."
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson turns upfield after a catch at U.S. Bank Stadium, with September 14, 2025 anchoring second-half action against Atlanta. Defended by safety Billy Bowman Jr., the play highlights Hockenson's yards-after-catch value as Minnesota worked to stabilize offensive rhythm. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
From a roster-management standpoint, the financial incentive is obvious. A post–June 1 designation would free up as much as $16 million in cap space, giving Minnesota flexibility at a position where cost and output are totally out of alignment.
Hockenson as a cut candidate is a familiar theory so far this offseason . Fans will get a verdict on it in the next few weeks.
