Report: Vikings to Release 2 Players
The Minnesota Vikings need to clear over $40 million of cap space within the next week before the league year kicks off. In the process of doing that, the club is reportedly planning to move on from defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Aaron Jones.
On Sunday morning, Adam Schefter, ESPN’s top newsbreaker, reported, “Sources: Vikings have informed running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, they will be released at the start of the league year this month. Jones’ release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the cap, Hargrave’s $10.9 million.”
A notable point in the conversation is that trading Hargrave would free up an additional $4 million in cap space. The other team in the sweepstakes would take on the lucrative contract, but would also avoid the chance of losing him to another team in free agency. Finding a new employer for Jones would save an extra $2 million in cap space. Once a report like this is out, the odds of a release are generally higher than those of a trade.
Both players are aging and haven’t been as dynamic as they once were. Jones and Hargrave were considered obvious cap casualty candidates for weeks.
Running back Jones arrived in the Twin Cities in the 2024 offseason, coming over from the Green Bay Packers, who had released him. He certainly had some gas left in the tank in his debut season in purple, producing over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and playing in all 17 games.
Injuries have piled up in recent years, however, and that trend resumed in 2025. The back missed five games and produced the lowest season-long yards per rush (4.2) of his career. By moving on from him, the Vikings can either put more workload on Jordan Mason’s plate or acquire another runner in free agency or the Draft.
In two seasons, Jones appeared in 29 regular-season games, rushing for 1,686 yards and 7 touchdowns, while adding another 607 yards and 3 scores as a pass-catcher. The former Pro Bowler will leave a void on the field, but also in the locker room, where he emerged as one of Minnesota’s leaders.
Hargrave signed a two-year deal last offseason. He was hired to give the interior of the defensive line a boost, but he couldn’t reach the Pro Bowl caliber play he once delivered in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, or Philadelphia.
Over the course of the season, defensive coordinator Brian Flores lowered his snaps and gave other guys more run. Breakout defender Jalen Redmond clearly usurped him on the depth chart and Levi Drake Rodriguez was an emerging player, as well.
Ultimately, Hargrave suited up in purple 16 times (15 starts) and secured 52 tackles and 3.5 sacks. At 33, he is no longer worth his high salary cap number.
The two players were expected to be released to save salary cap space. And it might not be the end of it, as the Vikings are still in the red. The front office could next pivot to center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and tight end T.J. Hockenson to unlock additional budget.
The reported decisions would underline a cap-driven reset rather than a surprise roster shake-up. Both Jones and Hargrave were logical cap casualties given their salaries, age, and declining roles in 2025.
If the releases become official, the Vikings would gain much-needed financial flexibility while opening the door for younger, cheaper contributors to take on bigger roles. With more moves likely on the horizon, this could be just the first step in a broader roster overhaul ahead of the new league year.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.