Every Rob Brzezinski Move as the Vikings’ GM: FA Contracts, Draft Picks, UDFA Adds, and More
In late January of 2026, the Minnesota Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Part of the problem with moving on so late was that many of the most coveted executives already got scooped up by GM-needy teams. The Vikings’ pivot was to bump up Rob Brzezinski. Just as a team leans on an interim coach to finish off a season, so did the Vikings lean on him to steer the ship through February, March, and April of 2026 (the search for a full-time option is now taking place). Consider the moves he made in those months.
Every Rob Brzezinski Roster Decision
Cuts, Extensions, & Restructures
Cuts:
- DT Javon Hargrave
- DT Jonathan Allen (June 1st)
- S Harrison Smith (June 1st)
Extensions:
- LB Eric Wilson
- LS Andrew DePaola
- S Tavierre Thomas
RFA Moves:
- DT Jalen Redmond
- LB Ivan Pace Jr.
- OLB Bo Richter
- RB Zavier Scott
Restructures:
- WR Justin Jefferson
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- LT Christian Darrisaw
Retirements:
- FB C.J. Ham
- C Ryan Kelly
Pay Cuts:
- RB Aaron Jones
Free Agency Signings
CB James Pierre:
The long-and-strong corner is being viewed as the third option. Ideally, there’s an ability to matchup better since Mr. Pierre is meant to battle the other team’s receivers with size.
QB Kyler Murray:
The cheap passer has so much talent. What has been lacking is meaningful success on a team level. Some of that is due to playing for the Cardinals, but a similar logic applied to Kirk Cousins (Washington) back in 2018. Just how different are things for the new passer?
OT Ryan Van Demark:
Beefing up the tackle position was clearly a priority. Stealing him away from Buffalo meant getting the compensation to a level where the Bills didn’t want to match. He’s now battling Caleb Tiernan to be the OT3. Or, quite possibly, the move is to have Van Demark locking down the right side while Tiernan is locking down the left side (at least in a backup capacity).
P Johnny Hekker:
Bringing the veteran to town helps to solidify the punter spot. He has had a tremendous career. Can the older specialist reclaim some former excellence?
QB Carson Wentz:
At the risk of being a touch pedantic, Carson Wentz has been included among the free agents. Why? He isn’t an external add in the same way as the others included here. The inclusion is due to him officially being a free agent, allowed to sign with other teams had he desired to do so. Other players — Wilson, DePaola, and so on — never became free agents, instead extending their deals before the contracts covering 2025 expired.
DT Eric Johnson II:
His nickname is “The Creature.” So far, the lineman’s NFL career has been modest, but tossing a veteran into the mix has some merit given the broader youth movement that’s taking place.
Trades
Trade No. 1 — 2nd-Round Swap
| Vikings Receive: | Panthers Receive: |
| 2nd-Round Selection (No. 51) | 2nd-Round Selection (No. 49) |
| 5th-Round Selection (No. 159) | 6th-Round Selection (No. 196) |
Trade No. 2 — Jonathan Greenard to Eagles
| Vikings Receive: | Eagles Receive: |
| 3rd-Round Selection (No. 98) | EDGE Jonathan Greenard |
| 3rd-Round Selection (2027) | 7th-Round Selection (No. 244) |
Trade No. 3 — Climbing for a RB
| Vikings Receive: | Patriots Receive: |
| 6th-Round Selection (No. 198) | 7th-Round Selection (No. 234) |
| 6th-Round Selection (2027) |
The 2026 NFL Draft
| Player | Round | College |
| DT Caleb Banks | 1st Round — No. 18 | Florida |
| LB Jake Golday | 2nd Round — No. 51 | Cincinnati |
| DT Domonique Orange | 3rd Round — No. 82 | Iowa State |
| OT Caleb Tiernan | 3rd Round — No. 97 | Northwestern |
| S Jakobe Thomas | 3rd Round — No. 98 | Miami |
| FB Max Bredeson | 5th Round — No. 159 | Michigan |
| CB Chuck Demmings | 5th Round — No. 163 | Stephen F. Austin |
| RB Demond Claiborne | 6th Round — No. 198 | Wake Forest |
| C Gavin Gerhardt | 7th Round — No. 235 | Cincinnati |
UDFA Signings
| Player | College |
| CB Marcus Allen | North Carolina |
| CB Da’Veawn Armstead | North Texas |
| WR Dillon Bell | Georgia |
| EDGE Jordan Botelho | Notre Dame |
| CB Tyreek Chappell | Texas A&M |
| DT Monkell Goodwine | South Carolina |
| WR Shaleak Knotts | Maryland |
| LB Keli Lawson | UCF |
| OL Tristan Leigh | Clemson |
| OL Delby Lemieux | Dartmouth |
| RB Kejon Owens | Florida International |
| OL Tomas Rimac | Virginia Tech |
| WR Marcus Sanders Jr. | Georgia Southern |
| EDGE Cam’Ron Stewart | Temple |
| S Jacob Thomas | James Madison |
| P Brett Thorson | Georgia |
| EDGE Arden Walker | Colorado |
| LB Scooby Williams | Texas A&M |
| WR Luke Wysong | Arizona |
Future Outlook
Draft Picks for 2027:
- 1st (MIN)
- 2nd (MIN)
- 3rd (MIN)
- 3rd (PHI)
- 5th (MIN)
- 5th (CAR)
- 6th (NYJ)
- 6th (COMP)
- 7th (PHI)
Cap Space for 2027:
No doubt, a moving target. Over the Cap puts things around $70 million. Already, that’s a projection that misses the mark. There’s the draft picks that will be signed — players with four-year deals, leading to less money in 2027 — alongside the UDFA signings — players with three-year deals, leading to less money in 2027. Expect the number to settle in closer to $50 million (a very rough estimate).
