Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Will The Team Be Competitive This Season?

According to overthecap, the Vikings currently have 13.1M in cap space for the 2026 season and 46.1M for the 2027 season. In 2027, as of today, the internal unrestricted free agents will be Brian O’Neill, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jordan Mason, Kyler Murray, Jauan Jennings, Blake Brandel, Aaron Jones, Isaiah Rodgers, Ivan Pace Jr, Carson Wentz, Eric Johnson, Johnny Hekker (who?), Ryan Van Demark, Andrew DePaola, and Jay Ward. The restricted free agents will be Jalen Redmond, Bo Richter, Dwight McGlothern,

Josh Ross, and Kahlef Hailassie. They have a bunch of EFRAs which may or may not be on the team by next year which could be the case for a couple of the RFAs. These players have void years that could convert to dead money in 2027. Van Ginkel – 8.8M, Hockenson – 7.1M, Cashman – 3.1M, & Mason 2.4M. These players have dead money in 2027. Harrison Smith – 7.6M, Jonathan Allen – 4.67M, and Monkell Goodwine – 6.7M.

I am hoping they get a deal done for O’Neill prior to or right around the start of training camp. His deal will take some out of the 2027 cap. It’s possible (maybe even probable) that they extend Van Ginkel at some point in order to utilize that 8.8M hitting the cap already. They could extend him and when you factor the signing bonus his cap hit in 2027 (void year charges) would and should be a little less.

The new GM has a lot to do but obviously needs to see the season play out no? What are the chances the team will be competitive in 2026 and remain that way going forward? What steps should the take?

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

Breaking down every NFL team’s offseason spending and most expensive free agent
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-teams-offseason-spending-most-expensive-free-agent/

Mandatory minicamps are wrapping up all around the league, which means it’s time for summer vacation for the NFL at large until training camps ring in the start of a new season at the tail end of July. That means now is a perfect time to assess all 32 NFL teams’ differing levels of spending in free agency this offseason as how the league looks today will probably be close to how it looks come July. It’s also worth spotlighting how many free agents all of the teams were able to reel in with money spent as well as highlighting the player they allocated the most cash toward in the 2026 offseason. Enjoy our spending breakdown for every NFL team this offseason.

Minnesota Vikings
Total free agent spending: $53.73 million
Number of free agents signed: 10
Most expensive free agent signing: WR Jauan Jennings (One year for $8 million with $6.13 million fully guaranteed)
The Minnesota Vikings were up against it from a salary cap perspective entering free agency, which hindered how active they were this offseason. Minnesota began around $43 million over the salary cap, but was able to clear up space with the retirement of offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, plus contract restructures for wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy. Trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles also helped decrease the Vikings’ financial issues. Cutting defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were also subtractions the Vikings needed to make to their roster this offseason.

While they weren’t big spenders, their most expensive free agent signing on an average per year basis — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings — fills a key need. Minnesota lost speedster Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders, but Jennings can certainly make up for some of the production lost in Nailor’s departure.

Since 2024, Jennings’ 83 receiving first downs rank 28th in the NFL. Once 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned from injury in Week 11 in 2025, Jennings’ six receiving touchdowns from Week 11 to the end of the regular season were tied for the second most in the entire league. He’ll be a prime secondary weapon for whomever emerges in the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.

Bleacher Report Names Top Contract Priority for Vikings
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bleacher-report-names-top-contract-210500162.html

According to the Bleacher Report, right tackle Brian O’Neill, the longest-tenured Viking if Harrison Smith does not return, should be the top extension priority. The theory also jibes with fan sentiment.

BR’s Mo Moton defined the most important extension around the bend for each NFL team last week, and O’Neill got the nod in Minnesota.

Moton wrote, “O’Neill has been a model of consistency within the Vikings’ offensive line. He earned a couple of Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2024. Last season, the eighth-year veteran allowed just two sacks while on the field for 446 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.”

“According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Minnesota is expected to resume extension talks with O’Neill after hiring general manager Nolan Teasley.”

It’s worth noting that extending O’Neill is not a hot take — it will likely happen soon.

Jason La Canfora Turns Heads with Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumor
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jason-la-canfora-turns-heads-110051167.html

NFL insider Jason La Canfora suggests that the team may opt to trade Addison to the Baltimore Ravens. Here was his justification for the trade.

“The Vikings would be wise to keep Addison with the chance to have much better quarterback play in 2026 than what they went through last year with JJ McCarthy. And McCarthys struggles have plenty to do with the scuttlebutt about Addison – stuck behind a true superstar receiver in Justin Jefferson and perhaps someone who hasn’t always rubbed everyone the right way.

He wouldn’t come cheap as a 2023 first-round pick, but if the Ravens are going win another Super Bowl they may have to go through a team like the Rams to get there, and that franchise is never worried about trading prime future draft capital for known impact players.

Addison hits paydirt, which is what the Ravens desperately need from their pass catchers. He had 10 touchdown catches as a rookie and nine the following year (last year he has just three, but, again, played without a real QB). He averaged nearly 14 air yards/target last season and had 20 explosive catches in each of his first two seasons.”

Dan Graziano Turns Heads in Minnesota Vikings J.J. McCarthy Prediction
https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/vikings/news/dan-graziano-turns-heads-in-minnesota-vikings-j-j-mccarthy-prediction

There is growing sentiment that J.J. McCarthy may not have started his last game in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. Making such a determination would be an overreaction, if ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano is correct.

Graziano labeled that takeaway as an overreaction on Tuesday, reasoning that McCarthy’s career is too early in the game to make that determination.

Here’s what the ESPN writer had to say about McCarthy’s odds at a second chance with the Vikings moving forward.

“McCarthy could prove to be the better option in camp. If that happens, the players on the roster will see that and buy into the decision. You could make the case that the best outcome for the Vikings is for McCarthy to win the job and become the player they thought he could be when they moved up to draft him. But even if that doesn’t happen in camp, Murray is far from a perfect solution, which is why the Cardinals are paying him $36 million this year to play for someone else.

If McCarthy reacts to being thrust into a competition the way the Vikings hope he does, he could end up starting games for them this season. He’s also under contract for 2026, whereas Murray is not (and Murray’s contract includes a no-franchise tag provision). Sure, it’s possible Murray thrives in O’Connell’s offense while McCarthy crumbles. But either outcome is far from a sure thing. There’s a long way to go before the start of the 2026 season, let alone the end of it. And on some level at least, the Vikings hope there’s still a long way to go in McCarthy’s NFL story.”

Those in favor of and against starting J.J. McCarthy again at quarterback are deeply entrenched in those beliefs. It’s doubtful anybody on either side of the debate intends to change their mind any time soon. Still, Graziano seems open to all possibilities with the former first round draft pick.

Vikings Were Preferred Landing Spot for Polarizing Former 1st-Round QB
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-preferred-landing-spot-1st-round-qb/

Vikings Were Believed to Be Preferred Landing Spot for QB Mac Jones
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner recently published a piece detailing potential next steps for Mac Jones after remaining with the 49ers. In the piece, he shared an interesting crumb involving the Minnesota Vikings.

“Multiple things worked against a possible deal for Jones. For one, many of the teams in need of help at the position such as the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are in rebuilding mode and reluctant to trade away valuable draft capital as they look to the future.

Then, for a team such as the Minnesota Vikings, which was believed to be Jones’ preferred destination outside of San Francisco, it was easier and cheaper to sign Kyler Murray to a league-minimum deal because of offset language in his contract, than it was to deal a pick and then potentially sign Jones to a lucrative extension.”

Sam Darnold Spills Beans on Vikings Departure After 2024 Career Resurrection
https://purpleptsd.com/2026/vikings/top_news/sam-darnold-talks-vikings-2024-exit/

Sam Darnold appeared on Bussin’ With the Boys, a Barstool Sports podcast. Co-host and former NFL player Will Compton asked Darnold if he wished it worked out long-term with the Minnesota Vikings.

“I think for me, Minnesota was amazing…I think having success in a place, and like, getting to know the guys in the locker room, of course you want to make that work.

Shortly into negotiations, it was like, ‘alright this isn’t gonna be the spot’.”

Compton then asked how Darnold knew this, wondering if the contract offered from Minnesota was a “low, one-year” deal. Darnold had a straight-forward answer.

“Yeah, that’s exactly right. I’m not one of those guys where I’m, like, spiteful. I get where the GM was coming from, I totally do. You see it with a lot of teams, you saw it with San Francisco, you saw it with Houston for a little bit…these rookie QBs and their rookie deals, like trying to strike hot while you have a rookie QB so that you can pay other guys around him to get the team really good.

I get that part of it. And I get, also, drafting a guy in the first round and understanding and having a belief that he’s the guy. So for me it was like, I kind of had to put that hat on where I understand. I totally get where they’re coming from, and going back to the beginning, everything happens for a reason. There is a part of that where it’s ‘ok, I’m not supposed to be in Minnesota next year’, and that’s ok with me.“

FOX Sports Picks Winner of Vikings’ QB Battle
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-quarterback-battle-kyler-murray

Another J.J. McCarthy Trade Theory Has Arrived
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/jj-mccarthy-cardinals-trade-theory

Vikings reportedly still have this J.J. McCarthy hope amid Kyler Murray reports
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/vikings_reportedly_still_have_this_jj_mccarthy_hope_amid_kyler_murray_reports/s1_13132_43985577

NFL may have ruined a Vikings plan that nobody saw coming at QB
https://thevikingage.com/nfl-may-ruined-minnesota-vikings-plan-qb-brendan-sorsby

Mailbag: Vikings Receiver Depth After Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison & Jauan Jennings
https://www.vikings.com/news/wide-receiver-depth-justin-jefferson-jordan-addison-jauan-jennings-2026

Early success of Vikings rookie WR turns up the heat on Jordan Addison
https://thevikingage.com/success-minnesota-vikings-rookie-wr-turns-up-heat-jordan-addison

Vikings’ long shot rookie is making waves to the point where he found himself on a list every undrafted free agent wants to be on
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/vikings-long-shot-rookie-is-making-waves-to-the-point-where-he-found-himself-on-a-list-every-undrafted-free-agent-wants-to-be-on/

Is Haason Reddick the Vikings’ Answer at No. 3 Edge Rusher?
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/is-haason-reddick-the-vikings-answer-at-no-3-edge-rusher

Vikings Offseason Program Top Takeaways
https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-offseason-program-top-takeaways

The Vikings Appear to be Cruising Toward a $25 Million Cap Boost
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/the-vikings-25-million-cap

Is the Vikings’ Offensive Arsenal Sustainable?
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/is-the-vikings-offensive-arsenal-sustainable/

The Vikings’ Offense Still Hinges On the Front 5’s Success
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-offense-still-hinges-on-the-front-5s-success/

NFC North in 2026: Case for/against the Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings to win division
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfc-north-in-2026-case-for-against-the-bears-lions-packers-and-vikings-to-win-division

Minnesota Vikings
The case for Minnesota winning the division: The Vikings’ biggest issue last year came under center, where J.J. McCarthy struggled both with his health and consistency. Kyler Murray’s arrival provides an immediate upgrade. Kevin O’Connell insists he’s holding a true competition, but the newcomer appears to be ahead. If McCarthy legitimately beats out the former Pro Bowler, all the better for the Vikings long-term, but for this exercise, I’m viewing Murray as the man. At his best, Murray is a big play waiting to happen. He can splash explosive throws and add difference-making with his legs. O’Connell has proven he can take a talented QB and get the most out of him.

The biggest beneficiary of a more stable QB situation should be Justin Jefferson. The all-world receiver struggled through 2025, generating career lows with 1,048 yards, 12.5 yards per catch and two touchdowns. Players of his caliber rarely have back-to-back down seasons. Murray has a penchant for force-feeding his favorite target, and letting Jefferson eat is the best way for Minnesota to surge to the top of the division. In addition, Jordan Addison and the sneaky-good addition of third-down menace Jauan Jennings provide a potent threesome for whoever is under center.

The Vikings have two of the top play-callers in the entire NFL in O’Connell and DC Brian Flores. That alone provides a promise that they can compete with anyone. Flores’ group has been a problem for offenses, ransacking quarterbacks. After last year’s veteran additions didn’t pan out, the Vikings took swings at youth, particularly up front, in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. If Flores gets his young players to soar, they should once again have the best D in the division.

The case against Minnesota: The disaster scenario for the Vikings is that neither Murray nor McCarthy plays well, leading to constant shuffling under center and instability throughout the club. That’s a recipe for a sunken ship.

While Murray — again, assuming he wins the gig — represents an upgrade, he’s also injury-prone and a freelancer. If things go sideways, last year’s issues could return. Murray has played a full season only once in the past five campaigns and hasn’t earned a winning record since 2021. Murray boasts talent, but can he excel in KOC’s timing scheme as Sam Darnold did? Furthermore, how might McCarthy respond by being leapfrogged if he’s thrust back into duty? Can Carson Wentz lead a winner if needed? The QB room is better than last year’s, but still sits on a razor’s edge.

The middle of the offensive line might not portend a good time for Murray and the rest of the QBs. Blake Brandel opens as the starter at center after Ryan Kelly’s retirement, with Michael Jurgens potentially in the mix should Brandel struggle. Donovan Jackson and Will Fries are both coming off down seasons. The Vikings desperately need Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill to stay healthy, or the O-line could have significant issues.

The trade of Jonathan Greenard stung the Vikings, who now turn to youth to fill the voids on D. Minnesota needs Dallas Turner to turn it up a notch — pun not intended. Turner is coming off an eight-sack season, but the Vikings need more from the first-rounder on an every-down basis. If he can’t fill Greenard’s shoes, the pass rush will take a step back. Minnesota is counting on Flores coaching up his youngsters up front and in the secondary, which comes with an element of unknown. If the youth stumbles, it could crumble the entire defense.