The Vikings’ Albatross
If the NFL functioned like the NHL, then perhaps some moves would have already been made. After all, the world’s top hockey league sees unused cap space drift off into nothingness if it goes unused. Part of what keeps professional football fascinating, though, is the various ways that a hard salary cap can simultaneously be malleable.
The Vikings’ albatross isn’t too far off. More specifically, there’s the projected $65.9 million deficit in next year’s budget. With just 60 players on the books — there’s a 51-player cutoff doing some work — Minnesota is sitting on a bit beyond $370.4 million in committed cap space, per Over the Cap. The debt pile is so monstrous that it’s going to need to get attacked in various ways, incentivising some modest spending for the remainder of 2025.
The Vikings’ Albatross
Ask around and folks who follow the Vikings may toss an opinion out there: Minnesota should bring in receiver help.
After all, Rondale Moore has been lost for the season. Jordan Addison is going to lose the season’s opening three games due to suspension. Jalen Nailor is looking more muscular but he, too, is working through an injury. Add onto these issues the recent poor performance from Lucky Jackson, someone who was supposed to fill the void. Oh, and Justin Jefferson is just getting back onto the field.
So, yes, there is at least some merit in the exploration of receiver help. That’s a lot of hurdles for Minnesota to clear that have all been jammed into a short period of time.
But then one wonders about the best course of action. Again, there’s that huge cap issue for next year. Why does it matter? Simply because whatever doesn’t get used in 2025 can get rolled over into 2026. Indeed, cap space that doesn’t get chewed up in this year’s budget can get applied to next year’s budget, functioning as a pressure release for the estimated league-worst cap situation.
Currently, the Vikings are sitting on $26.4 million in open room. Quite a beefy amount, all things considered. More than enough to bring in a free agent or to onboard someone via trade. The issue, however, is precisely the one we’ve been discussing: open room lost in 2025 is open room that can’t get carried over into 2026.
Keep in mind, as well, that the current cap outlook is a bit deceiving. The offseason has a top-51 cutoff for cap purposes, but the regular season is going to arrive and that benefit is going to disappear. In other words, the Vikings could do nothing to their roster and still see a lot of the open room vanish. The 53-man roster needs to be accounted for and so does the 16-man practice squad.
So, the Vikings’ albatross may be telling management not to get too frisky when it comes to adding external talent. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s self-stated desire is to be an annual contender, not just a contender in a single season. Presumably, the GM manages the team’s finances accordingly.
The hope in Eagan is obviously that Justin Jefferson is his usual excellent self. If so, then J.J. McCarthy gets to work with the NFL’s most dangerous receiver over the past half-decade. The sophomore passer can then lean on T.J. Hockenson (and Josh Oliver) alongside Aaron Jones (and Jordan Mason). The tight ends and running backs are excellent, pass catchers who will shoulder a heavy burden in 2025.
How much more is needed?
Do note that Addison isn’t gone forever. Yes, those initial three games matter, but at least the timeline is very clear. It’s not as if the WR2 is working through an injury with a mysterious timeline. Addison is gone for three games. Afterwards, he’ll be back, alleviating receiver concerns as a result.
Plus, there’s the cheap depth options who are already calling Minnesota home (and therefore already accounted for in the accounting). Most notably, there’s 3rd-Round rookie Tai Felton. Don’t look for him to set the world on fire, but could he make 2-4 catches per game? If so, then that makes a difference. So, too, could Myles Price be a sneaky weapon.
Add it all together and the Vikings don’t need to panic even if the bad news keeps coming. Minnesota could certainly justify an add, but the price is unlikely to get past a medium amount.
