Predicting 1 Vikings Cut, Trade, Extension, and Restructure
Pretty soon, the rubber is going to hit the road. Minnesota’s snug budget will get fixed, in no small part due to the upcoming Vikings cuts, trades, extensions, and restructures.
Getting into the end-of-season press conference from Head Coach Kevin O’Connell alongside General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be illuminating. Presumably, there will be at least a few breadcrumbs to follow as it relates to the franchise’s direction. Until then, consider an educated guess for where this is going.
1 Vikings Cut & Other Roster Shuffling
1 Vikings Cut
To be sure, there are many candidates for the Vikings cuts. Does DT Javon Hargrave top the list? Truthfully, no, but he is among the most fascinating players to monitor.
PFF gives the veteran defender a promising assessment, a healthy 68.0 grade that gets buoyed largely by a 70.0 pass rush grade. Mr. Hargrave is still explosive coming out of his stance, allowing him to get o-linemen back on their heels as he quickly gains an advantage when it comes to the balance battle.
By the end of the season, Javon Hargrave had offered up 3.5 sacks and 6 quarterback hits. Difficult to justify the cap charge — $21,453,382, per Over the Cap — when the production is so modest. A cut clears close to $11 million.
Read More: 5 Vikings Deals that Stand Out as Cap Decisions
1 Vikings Trade
Ivan Pace Jr. is capable of being an attacking ‘backer on defense and a nice part of special teams coverage. He may need to pursue those abilities with a different team.
The undrafted talent quickly earned a promotion in the Twin Cities during his rookie season of 2023. Seeing him get sent on blitzes aplenty in Minnesota made sense from within a Brian Flores defense with a deficit of pass rushers (and talent more broadly).
The 2024 and 2025 seasons, though, have seen reinforcements arrive for Coach Flores. The tactician calling the shots on defense minimized Pace’s role, seemingly tipping the team’s hand in the process.
Look for the RFA to get moved out in a trade. A Day 3 draft selection should be the expectation.
Read More: The Vikings Appear Likely to Move Out 1 Upside Defender in a Trade
1 Vikings Extension
Cutting Brian O’Neill would mean saving $19.41 million. Extending Brian O’Neill would mean saving up to $14.16 million.
So, extend Brian O’Neill.
The right tackle still plays strong football. Handing out a deal that adds on two or three more years appears to be prudent. O’Neill can continue functioning as the top option on the right side of the line, building continuity with RG1 Will Fries in the process.
Read More: When and Why a Brian O’Neill Cut Becomes a Possibility
1 Vikings Restructure
Justin Jefferson now exists within the reality of demanding quarterback money.
The receiver’s cap charge in 2026 is going to be $38,987,600. Shuffling around the compensation via restructure comes with the benefit of being able to liberate a touch more than $18 million. Should be an easy decision.
At 26, Justin Jefferson is unusual. The WR1 has already played six seasons as a pro. He has broken records commonly while arriving at two first-team All Pro nods, two second-team All Pro nods, four Pro Bowl trips, and an Offensive Player of the Year Award (alongside being a runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and MVP contender in 2022).
He is, in short, the team’s top player and one who will likely get his contract adjusted as Minnesota moves forward within a pivotal 2026.
Read More: Vikings WR1 Justin Jefferson and the Great Warning in the NFL
