The Minnesota Vikings were officially eliminated from postseason contention ahead of a Week 15 win against the Dallas Cowboys, giving young QB J.J. McCarthy a pressure-free runway to help establish himself as the clear cut QB1 heading into 2026.

The Vikings currently find themselves around $26M in the red in terms of 2026 cap space, with 41 contracts on the books. This hole can quickly be resolved by way of salary conversions (see below).

We’re projecting Minnesota to hold 11 selections for the 2026 draft right now, including two thirds, and four seventh round picks. This Vikings front office has not been shy about aggressively shopping draft picks in recent offseasons, and 2026 likely won’t be any different.

Early Offseason Questions

  • Will the Vikings press ahead with recent aggressive offseasons, comfortable that McCarthy is a capable QB1 for the foreseeable future?
  • How will WR Justin Jefferson handle career low numbers (and targets) in 2025?

Notable Free Agents

(Current Spotrac APY Valuation)

S Harrison Smith ($10.5M)
WR Jalen Nailor ($5M)
LB Eric Wilson ($4.2M)

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Extension Candidates

RT Brian O'Neill

The second-round pick out of Pitt back in 2018 continues to hold down the right side of the Vikings’ line at an extremely high level. He enters a contract year in 2026, set to earn $19.5M against a $23.2M cap figure. The 30-year-old currently projects toward a 3 year, $63M extension in our system.

Option Decision

WR Jordan Addison

The 23-year-old has gone through his fair share of issues (both on and off the field), but this is a highly talented wideout who has yet to enter his prime NFL years. His 5th-year option for 2027 currently projects to come in at around $17M, and for now, this one seems like a no-brainer.

Bubble Candidates

RB Aaron Jones

Release Candidate

A hamstring injury forced the 31-year-old to miss a chunk of time during the middle of the 2025 campaign, but Jones remains a consistently solid back when available. $2M of his $10M salary for 2026 is fully guaranteed, with $6.8M of total dead cap in play. Minnesota can free up $6.8M per the move, but he remains their best option for the position right now.

DL Javon Hargrave

Trade Candidate

The 32-year-old is having a strong 2025, filling up the stat table as per usual across his 10-year career. But father time is against him, the Vikings will be looking to freshen up a few roster areas, and the cap situation will force a few uncomfortable moves this offseason. $4M of Hargrave’s $15M salary is already fully guaranteed. Finding a trade partner next year can open up $11M of cap space. 

LB Blake Cashman

Release Candidate

This would be an unpopular decision, as Cashman appears to be a central figure within Brian Flores’ tough defense, but with the Vikings in a bit of cap trouble, and at least a few changes coming per the underperforming season, there’s a world where Minnesota flips out of this contract in favor of the $4.4M of cap to be saved.

Potential Cap Conversions

WR Justin Jefferson will be entering Year 3 of his rookie extension, and his $25M salary for 2026 is already fully guaranteed. A simple salary conversion (plus one more void year) can free up $19.5M of much needed cap space.

LT Christian Darrisaw’s $15M salary for 2026 is already fully guaranteed. Converting most of it to signing bonus (plus one void year) can open up over $11M of space.

DL Jonathan Allen’s $16M salary for 2026 will become fully guaranteed on March 13th. A simple salary conversion (plus 3 void years), can open up $12.6M of room.

TE T.J. Hockenson is a fringe extension candidate this offseason (2 years, $34M remaining, $2.3M of early vesting guarantee), but if Minnesota wants to hold off for another year, a simple salary conversion can free up $11.8M of space.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Vikings Salary Cap Table
Vikings 2026 Free Agents
 Spotrac Offseason Guides