Minnesota Vikings Free Agents

Thirty-plus years of free agency have turned every NFL offseason into a roster churn. The first decisions facing teams are whether to bring back their own free agents. The Minnesota Vikings will have some difficult decisions to make this offseason. The difficulty starts with being nearly $40 million over the estimated 2026 salary cap. The Vikings must get under the cap before they can even make decisions on their own free agents. Here’s a look at the players with expiring contracts. 

Unrestricted Free Agents

C.J. Ham, FB

Eric Wilson, LB

Jeff Okudah, CB

Tavierre Thomas, S

Justin Skule, OT

Rondale Moore, WR

Ryan Wright, P

Carson Wentz, QB

Andrew DePaola, LS

Matt Nelson, OT

Brett Rypien, QB

Ty Chandler, RB

Jalen Nailor, WR

Restricted Free Agents

Ivan Pace, LB

Ben Sims, TE

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Bo Richter, OLB

Jalen Redmond, DT

Zavier Scott, RB

It’s a good thing that the Vikings don’t have a lot of must-sign free agents. The one player that I consider must-sign is defensive tackle Jalen Redmond and he’s an exclusive rights free agent. 

Among the unrestricted free agents, the following are the players I’d most like to see return.

Eric Wilson

Ryan Wright

It’d be nice to have Jalen Nailor return but I’m guessing he’s going to be offered a deal in free agency the Vikings can’t afford to match. He’s probably also looking for an increased opportunity that he probably won’t get behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. 

The only thing that might give the Vikings pause about bringing back long snapper Andrew DePaola is that he’s going to be 39 during the 2026 season. He’s still one of the best in the league. I don’t see that changing at the grand age of 39. 

Receiver Rondale Moore is a curiosity. I really wanted to see him get an opportunity last season. That was taken away when he tore his ACL in a preseason game. Do the Vikings bring him back? I’d be for it. 

Over the next month, the Vikings will be making decisions on their current players. Then come the decisions on the players with expiring contracts.