Not much going on besides the free agency watch and the rookie minicamp. The draft picks and UDFAs will be there along with some tryout players of which I can find four … Zach Lewis, S (North Dakota); Anthony Chideme-Alfaro, CB (North Dakota State); Barika Kpeenu, RB (North Dakota State); Edward Vesterinen, DL (West Virginia). If you know of any other please list them in the comments if you can.
I am wondering which player will be anointed as the next entrant into the DN Preseason HOF? Who will join
Kyle Sloter and Jaymar Johnson and OMG Audie Cole? Obviously it is way too early but it is good to see everyone’s favorite. I am going to go with Cam’Ron Stewart or Dillon Bell. The stinkin punter might make the team.
The other thing that came up was some speculation from our longtime friend, Charley Walters. He suggested that the Wilfs might be gearing up to sell the team because they did not spend a lot of money in free agency and did not hire a GM yet. Of course, this got aggregated by folks like Florio so they can pontificate as well. The report has been quickly shot down. Slow news time.
The Minnesota Vikings, like all 32 NFL teams, receive an equal share of national revenue generated from television deals, national sponsorships, and licensing.
Revenue Sharing: Last Three Years
National revenue distribution per team has reached record highs in recent years, driven largely by new media rights agreements.
Season : National Revenue Per Team : Vikings’ Est. Total Revenue*
2023 : $402.3 million : $540 million
2024 : $416 million : $569 million
2025 : $432.6 million : $609 million
Cash Spending in Free Agency
While the salary cap limits yearly accounting hits, “cash spending” represents the actual money paid out by owners in a given year, including signing bonuses. The Vikings transitioned from being the league’s top spender in 2025 to a much more conservative approach in 2026.
- 2024 Season: The Vikings spent approximately $279.5 million in total player cash. Their free agency activity included signing 14 players to contracts totaling over $300 million in combined value, with nearly $160 million of that fully guaranteed.
- 2025 Season: This was a record-breaking year for the franchise. The Vikings led the NFL in cash spending, totaling roughly $350 million. Significant outlays included extensions for Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw, alongside free-agent additions like Jonathan Greenard.
- 2026 Season: Spending dropped sharply to roughly $226 million, which was the second-lowest in the NFL. The team shifted to a “supplemental” approach, with their primary splash being the signing of quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million deal
Vikings Financial Performance (2023–2025)
Operating income represents the “net” before taxes and interest, following all standard operational expenses like player salaries and stadium costs.
Season : Total Revenue : Operating Income (Estimated Net)
2023 : $540 Million : $99 Million
2024 : $609 Million : $70 Million
2025 : $650 Million : $69 Million
Three-Year Net Totals
- Combined Revenue: Approximately $1.8 billion.
- Combined Operating Profit: Approximately $238 million.
The team is certainly not hurting for money and the owners do not look like they have to come out of their own pocket to keep things running. The fact that they did not spend much money is not, in my opinion, a reflection on anything about the team’s finances but simply a realization that spending big in free agency does not often produce the desired results especially when you spend on older players.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Remain Willing To Bring Back Harrison Smith
In March, the Vikings released franchise stalwart Harrison Smith with a post-June 1 designation, as his contract was due to void and a decision needed to be made. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported the release and noted it was not an indication that Smith plans to retire (although the 37-year-old safety did contemplate hanging up his cleats in 2025 before re-upping with Minnesota).
Now that the March free agent frenzy and the April draft are in the books, Seifert echoes his prior report and says the Vikings have let Smith know they would be happy to have him back. Per Seifert, “all signs were pointing” to retirement following the 2025 campaign, but as Smith himself has made no public remarks in that regard, it seems as if another season could be in store.
Kyler Murray Under Spotlight Ahead of Vikings QB Battle
“Kyler Murray’s career could go in one of two ways,” Moton wrote in his May 2 article. “On the one hand, Murray could prove that he’s a quality starter in a career resurgence with the Minnesota Vikings, but if he struggles, it could be the start of a journeyman stage in his pro outlook…
“Heading to Minnesota, Murray can reinvent himself with a strong supporting cast of pass-catchers that includes two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and two-time Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson.
“Like Sam Darnold, who flourished in lead skipper Kevin O’Connell’s offense before winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, Murray will have a chance to show he can lead a winning club with good coaching.”
Can Minnesota Keep Kyler Murray Long-Term?
With many expecting Murray to win the job, and if he lives up to his potential as a former No. 1 pick, the question is whether the Vikings can afford to keep him long-term. The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling shared his thoughts on this potential scenario.
“I think [the next contract] will depend on the year he has,” Goessling said on the April 28 edition of “StribSports Daily Delivery.” “It will depend on the market that exists for him. If he plays well, there will be a market, but will people think it’s sustainable?”
Moreover, Goessling could see the Vikings going down the same path as the Seattle Seahawks did with Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract in 2025. Still, he does mention a number that might be too rich for Minnesota.
“If it’s [the Darnold deal] for Kyler Murray, I think that is plausible,“ Goessling added. “If you’re getting into those max-type $50 million per year contracts while also paying Justin Jefferson, I just can’t see that.”
Eight Candidates for Vikings GM Job Emerge, Including Former Minnesota Scout
The Vikings’ search for a new general manager is in full force, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer dropped the names of six external candidates who could be in the running for the job.
All six are currently working as assistant general managers in the NFL:
Terrance Gray, Buffalo Bills
James Liipfert, Houston Texans
Mike Bradway, Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Weidl, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ed Dodd, Indianapolis Colts
Jeff Ireland, New Orleans Saints
Breer has been raving about Gray for months, noting back in January that he is on the GM “doorstep.” His connection to Minnesota couldn’t be clearer, considering he worked in Minnesota under former GM Rick Spielman and George Paton, who was an executive in Minnesota before being hired as the Denver Broncos’ general manager.
“He came over from Minnesota. Brandon Beane poached him at the beginning of the McDermott-Beane era in Buffalo,” Breer said Friday. “He’s been a huge part of putting those teams together. He came up in the Vikings organization, so, to me, Terrance Gray makes all the sense in the world. He’s got background on the college scouting side, which I think is part of what they would need.”
What about the other names he mentioned?
“I’d say the Texans’ roster is his resume,” Breer said of Liipfert, noting that he was with the Patriots during their dynasty years. “Very much one of the rising young execs in the NFL.”
Breer said Liipfert was “right on the doorstep” of getting the Atlanta Falcons GM job.
Early Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: 3 Undrafted Rookies, 2 Vet FAs
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Vikings’ massive drop in spending prompts speculation of a possible sale
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Source: Wilfs aren’t selling the Vikings
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NFL Trade Pitch Sends Vikings $52 Million WR
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Mailbag: 2026 NFL Draft Follow-ups Ahead of Vikings Rookie Minicamp
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Vikings post-NFL Draft depth chart: More athleticism, but where do they still need to add?
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Which Vikings UDFAs will make the team? Breaking down the 19 signings
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Caleb Banks’ college coaches have no doubt the Vikings made the right choice
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Vikings Receive Blunt Message on Harrison Smith Situation
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Vikings Benched Starter Pegged Potential Cut Candidate
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Early Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: 3 Undrafted Rookies, 2 Vet FAs
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