2 Vikings Candidates for a Shocking Trade in the Next Year
The Vikings mopped up in the 2025 free agency frenzy, but they actually currently sit over the cap on the 2026 books by about $17 million.
This isn’t a huge deal whatsoever, as money can be moved around, restructures can be executed, and releases can be made. On top of that, there could be a shock trade or two out of a couple of staple Vikings that would send the purple faithful into a tailspin.
Now, by all means, I am not saying I believe any of these players will be traded or even that I endorse one (for the most part), but major sports are obscenely unpredictable, as we learned when the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks executed what might be the most shocking trade in sports history involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. That trade waters down these Vikings hypotheticals a bit.
WR Jordan Addison
There’s currently a rumor flying about a potential Jordan Addison shipment to the Buffalo Bills, considering Addison must be paid in a couple of years, he has off-the-field concerns, and there are probably a decent amount of receivers that can match Addison’s numbers if they’re across from Justin Jefferson.
Now, saying he has to be paid in a couple of years is no argument – every single NFL player has to be paid in a couple of years; however, it is worth considering where receiver contracts are going. If the Vikings want to pay Addison a bag that might be even heavier than the one the Bengals gave WR2 Tee Higgins.
The legitimate argument that holds up a bit in the presence of debate is Addison’s off-field concerns, as he is likely facing a suspension for his DUI last offseason. It sort of feels like Jordan has been on two strikes for a while, and the third one could have him out.
TE T.J. Hockenson
The Vikings have already sunk a ton of resources into T.J. Hockenson: a 2nd-round pick, a 3rd-round pick, and $68 million (with two 4th-rounders back in fairness). Minnesota loves him, and it seems understandable as to why. He seems like a nice dude; he can catch a pass that’s on the numbers, and he kind of looks like the Vikings’ Norseman logo – awesome!
The fact of the matter is that he has three games of 100+ yards since he joined the team in 2022 (Trey McBride and George Kittle each had three last season alone) and the offense wasn’t notably different in terms of production after his Week 8 return against the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, even as we got deep into the season.
He hasn’t been much of a threat after the catch (he broke one tackle in 2024), and it’s hard to say he’s really returning the investment the Vikings put into him back in 2022 and 2023, but this is an easy restructure spot, and he is a sure-enough target for now to keep around for J.J. McCarthy.
Even trading Hockenson as a post-June 1st designation this offseason would save them $11 million in 2025, $9 million in 2026, and $23 million in 2027. The Vikings gave themselves flexibility at the end of the deal, so a restructure will get done in the next season or two, but if we’re playing devil’s advocate, I’m sure Kevin O’Connell can scheme up someone with much less of a price tag to haul in 4 or 5 catches for 45 or 50 yards per game.
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