General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has ample amounts of cap space to work with, but there are a ton of areas on the roster that he must address. It makes sense for the MN Vikings to prioritize some of their familiar talent, in order to keep some level of continuity in the secondary.

Minnesota Vikings trying hard to re-sign Byron Murphy Jr.

Byron Murphy Jr is coming off a two-year deal he signed with the the MN Vikings in 2023 that paid him $17.5 million. After a successful first stint in Minnesota, Murphy will likely get more than that on an annual basis.

And it’s become very clear that the Vikings want to be the team that pays it. In fact, it’s not a stretch to suggest that Murphy is the Minnesota Vikings’ most prioritized extension candidate. On Thursday, multiple local insiders include Matt Coller (Purple Insider), Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune), Alec Lewis (The Athletic) and Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP) relayed what they’ve been hearing behind the scenes on Murphy recently.

“Byron Murphy Jr. remains, I will double-slash triple down on what I’ve said going back to Tuesday, he is by far the number one internal priority. They so badly want him back…Byron wants to be in that ballpark, $19-ish to $21-ish million per year.”

Wolfson on the Vikings pursuit of Byron Murphy Jr. (Skor North)

Related: Shedeur Sanders Sending Not So Subtle Signal to Minnesota Vikings at NFL Combine

Byron Murphy Jr is a 27-year-old former second round pick, coming off a season in which he started 17 games for the first time in his career. He also made his first first Pro Bowl appearance, thanks to career highs in tackles (81), TFL (6), interceptions (6) and passes defensed (14).

Options beyond the Vikings

With free agency looming this offseason, Murphy Jr. did everything in his power to make sure the market for his services would be robust, and many have him pegged as the top cornerback on the market this cycle.

That means, while Minnesota would love to have Murphy back, they aren’t the only team in the mix for his services. Most recently, it appears the New York Giants are sniffing around the former 33rd overall pick out of Washington

The #Giants are poking around on the free agent CB market, including on the #Vikings’ Byron Murphy Jr., per source. They need a QB so badly it’s easy to forget their huge CB need. Travis Hunter’s 2-way ability + Murphy could help with an overhaul https://t.co/xrct1egFnw pic.twitter.com/CC5YWRbr1B

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 27, 2025

The reality is that Minnesota could see Murphy Jr. as a stabilizing presence. He is a top-tier option while still having age on his side. Mekhi Blackmon will be back after his season-ending injury, but has started just three NFL games. Dwight McGlothern still has upside, but is completely unproven.

Related: Revealed: Why Gophers LB is Sitting Out NFL Combine Drills

Minnesota’s defense needs some infused stars at the top, and depth should only be something that operates as a benefit rather than reliance. A new contract for Murphy Jr. is going to be costly, but it makes sense that the Vikings have it near the top of their shopping list.

The NFL Draft has a solid amount of both offensive guard and defensive tackle talent as well. No matter where they come from, there are more than a few that should be available on the open market. Unfortunately, one of the top options that Minnesota could have engaged with is no longer going to be a possibility.

Trey Smith won’t be a Minnesota Vikings option

After the Kansas City Chiefs played in the Super Bowl, there was a realistic belief that star offensive guard Trey Smith would hit the open market. That is no longer a reality, as he has been franchise tagged.

The #Chiefs are planning to franchise tag star guard Trey Smith, sources say. An intriguing move, as KC keeps one of its best players for $23.4M on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal. pic.twitter.com/IOnctKg7WE

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025

A former sixth round pick, Smith has developed into one of the best guards across the entire NFL. He was set to hit free agency this offseason, but the Chiefs are going to pay him $23.4 million instead.

It was always expected that Smith’s free agent market would be robust, and probably set the market. He will be just 26 years old next year and has started all 67 games he has played throughout his career. Smith has done an exceptional job keeping legendary quarterback Patrick Mahomes clean, and he has also opened running lanes for Andy Reid’s run offense.

This is a perfect representation of a 'big boy block' from Trey Smith 1v1 vs. Travis Jones getting vertical displacement. Two of the strongest interior linemen in the league. Had to slow this one down. pic.twitter.com/wQA9JTuNsh

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 6, 2024

Had he hit the open market, Smith would have been in line for a multi-year deal and had teams bidding his services higher and higher. Kansas City thwarts that possibility now, and they aren’t tagging him with any sort of an idea that he should be traded. Which the Minnesota Vikings are trying to do, with Sam Darnold.

Related: New Perfect Fit Trade Targets Come Available for Vikings

It remains possible, and probably desirable for Kansas City, that the Chiefs would extend Smith on a multi-year deal. They can spread out his cap hit and allow for the compensation to be split across additional years going forward. As a late round pick, Smith was in line for free agency after just four years, rather than five as higher picks are.

Where the Minnesota Vikings go for guard help now has yet to be determined. The only certainty is that Smith won’t be part of their offseason shopping haul.

Realistically though, the future isn’t about Sam Darnold. J.J. McCarthy is healthy, and will eventually take over. If there is a need for a veteran to provide him extra time for development, the answer presented itself at the end of last season. Enter Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones makes sense for the Minnesota Vikings

Last season the New York Giants decided they were done with Daniel Jones. That was music to the Minnesota Vikings ears as they got a competent veteran backup. He certainly makes sense as Kevin O’Connell’s next QB project too.

According to @JFowlerESPN, the Vikings "are open to doing a deal with Sam Darnold", which he's told is more likely than the franchise tag. Daniel Jones is also an option "still on the table". No matter, JJ McCarthy is still very much the future of this franchise.

"What was made… pic.twitter.com/5ToCTUciWP

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 20, 2025

“What was made clear to me though is JJ McCarthy is the franchise QB at some point…so whoever steps in this year is essentially a bridge QB. Daniel Jones could make some sense. He was in the building last year. I’m told that he is still on the table as an option, he would be a cheaper alternative to Sam Darnold.”

Jeremy Fowler on Daniel Jones (Sportscenter)

Even if the Minnesota Vikings were to franchise tag Sam Darnold, they would be doing so with a hope to deal him for additional assets. As Jeremy Fowler of ESPN mentions, the future is McCarthy. That said, it may not happen right at the jump next season, and O’Connell has had a veteran backup in the form of Nick Mullens.

Related: Failing to Tag Sam Darnold Would Be Organizational Malpractice by Vikings

Daniel Jones is a significantly better quarterback than Mullens. He has started 69 games over the course of his career and was a former first round pick.

Last season the MN Vikings brought in a cheap veteran option while grabbing their quarterback of the future. There is no reason to suddenly spend on the position, but there is a way to get creative with a buffer.

MN Vikings could make Daniel Jones money

When the Minnesota Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a $10 million deal last offseason it was with the belief they could help to elevate him. That same reality existed when they signed Daniel Jones at the end of the year. It was just going to take time for the opportunity to come to fruition.

Jones has thrown for more than 3,000 yards twice in his six-year career. He has a 70/47 TD/INT ratio and he has run for 2,179 yards with 15 touchdowns. In a perfect world, he becomes something like a lesser version of Josh Allen.

In a perfect world, it’s the Minnesota Vikings who get him there. Jones played for a terribly run organization in New York. The Vikings offer him the same opportunity that was provided to Darnold. While Kevin O’Connell needs a new running back, his quarterback still gets to use Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Punter Arrested for Anti-MAGA Protest

It seems so straightforward for Minnesota to pay a minimal amount for Jones’ services and allow him to work while McCarthy pushes for the top role. At worst it results in the rookie takeover early on next season. At best it’s another double-digit win season and a quarterback seeking a big payday again.

Minnesota Vikings decision on Aaron Jones still looms

Last season the Vikings signed former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones to a one-year deal worth $7 million. He is now set to be a free agent, but Minnesota is managing the impact of him hitting the market.

The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones agreed to move the void date on his contract from this Monday until the final day before free agency.

If Jones had not been extended by Monday, the team would have taken on $3.2M in dead money in 2025.

This expands the window for Jones and…

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 15, 2025

It stands to reason that Jones would have interest in returning to Minnesota. Despite being an eight-year veteran, he just posted the best season of his career. Not only was he healthy for all 17 games, but the 1,138 rushing yards are a new high-water mark.

Certainly his five rushing touchdowns left something to be desired. However, some of that blame can be placed on a lacking interior offensive line for the Vikings. That is an area to be addressed this offseason, and something that could further entice Jones to return.

Related: Jets Beat Writer Names Vikings as Possible Landing Spot for Aaron Rodgers

This decision doesn’t guarantee that an extension will be hammered out prior to the March 12 opening of free agency. It does allow both parties to continue a level of dialogue that makes it plausible, however.

Where do the MN Vikings turn in the backfield?

If it’s not going to be Jones, then it has to be someone else. Right now the only guaranteed contract Minnesota has on the books at running back is that of Ty Chandler. Both Jones and Cam Akers are set to hit the open market, and Kevin O’Connell can’t continue to seek an answer at the position.

The good news is that while options exist in free agency, the running back position is loaded in the draft. It doesn’t have to be Ashton Jeanty or bust. The Vikings’ draft capital is lacking early in the process, but there is plenty of talent to find a capable starter later as well.

This running back class is outrageous https://t.co/Sui5JZczK8 pic.twitter.com/7sZzYXm9YK

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 13, 2025

With a situation that must be fixed, the Minnesota Vikings have to feel good about their potential options. It has been quite some time since Adrian Peterson or Dalvin Cook could simply be relied on as given assets on a weekly basis.

Related: Multiple NFL Experts Predict Vikings Take Step Back in 2025

This represents a critical juncture for Minnesota’s offense. Running it back with Jones, given his age and injury history, is probably dicey. If the Vikings turn elsewhere, there are plenty of places for them to look.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has plenty of work to do this offseason. The Vikings need to decide on the quarterback position, and they’ll need to use their ample cap space to address other areas of the roster. They also have a boatload of free agent decisions to make.

Counting down the Minnesota Vikings free agents

Each season the NFL sees a significant amount of turnover across league rosters. Guaranteed contracts don’t always happen in the sport. The aging process happens at a much more significant pace given the game’s physicality. The Vikings have some key spots held down, but there’s a laundry list of guys to replace or retain. The starters are in bold.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss

If you counted them all, I’m sorry, since I did the work for you. That’s 28 players potentially leaving the Vikings. The quarterback position has just a single player committed to the roster in rookie J.J. McCarthy. The cornerback position is losing almost everyone.

NFL team cap space for the 2025 NFL season

x = Effective cap space
y = Cap space that can be restructured

Upper right = good | Bottom left = bad pic.twitter.com/vETNIyivPN

— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) January 13, 2025

Key decisions to make

Running the football isn’t a focal point for Kevin O’Connell. He still needs to sort out that position for next season. Ty Chandler is the only candidate with a level of NFL experience. This year though, he was just a depth piece.

Three important decisions to be made are on Darnold, Jones, and Cam Robinson. They are projected to earn salaries of $40.1 million, $5.6 million, and $14 million, respectively. Jones had a career year running the ball despite battling injuries, but his average rush was the lowest it’s ever been at 4.5 yards per carry. Some of that falls on the offensive line, of course.

If the Minnesota Vikings are going to run, they’ll need to be better on the interior offensive line. Dalton Risner again hits the open market, and we’ve seen Ed Ingram is not the answer. The defensive line also has turnover on the interior, and that’s an opportunity for the team to take a step forward.

Minnesota has more than $70 million in cap space, so Kwesi will have plenty of opportunity to cook. What exactly he does with all of that cash remains to be seen, but it should be an exciting offseason of movement.

Related: Justin Jefferson Doesn’t Care Who Plays QB for the Minnesota Vikings Next Season

Minnesota #Vikings cap space as of today.

– McCarthy, Turner, and Darrisaw contracts updated.

– Brian O’Neill has the highest cap hit at 22.9M. Only player in 2024 over 20M.

– In 2025, only O’Neill and Greenard have cap hits over 20M.

H/T overthecap pic.twitter.com/5xWv0Gb6xi

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 27, 2024

With the Vikings’ cornerstones locked in, it’s time to consider how they’ll spend some of their cap space next offseason. One glaring weakness is along the defensive line, where Harrison Phillips is arguably the only above-average player in Minnesota’s trenches. He’ll be a free agent after this season.

As KSTP’s Darren Wolfson indicated, the Vikings are prepared to be big spenders next offseason when free agency rolls around. The specific focus will be on strengthening the defensive trenches.

“The Vikings still will have a ton of cap space next March. So keep an eye on that. The Vikings, I’m telling you, like whether it’s Kenny Clark, some other premier interior defensive linemen, like you look at an obvious need next March, the Vikings will be all in in that regard. Heck, they were all in on Christian Wilkins. He just happened to choose the Raiders instead of the Vikings.”

Darren Wolfson

Despite previously being mentioned as a potential Vikings target, we can scratch Kenny Clark’s name off the list. He just signed a three-year, $64 million extension with the Green Bay Packers. But who else could the Vikings target? Here’s a list of three potential DL solutions during next offseason’s free agency.

Related: 6 Cornerbacks Vikings Could Add to Address Sudden Needs

Vikings could target any one of these 3 DL in 2025 free agency

While the idea of solving the Vikings’ defensive needs via free agency sounds like a perfect plan. In reality, it could be much tougher than some expect. There isn’t a Christian Wilkins-level talent set to hit the open market next offseason. While any of the upcoming free agents could always take a leap this season, let’s take a look at some of the best players projected to be available in the 2025 NFL free agency class.

Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions

What’s better than stealing from a division rival? According to Pro Football Focus, Alim McNeill was the seventh-best interior defender during the 2023 season. The Vikings would take that in a heartbeat. At 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, he’d become the new Vikings nose tackle.

• Alim McNeill stats last season: 13 starts, 32 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FF – 86.8 PFF grade, 76.9 RDEF, 78.6 PRUSH

One factor that’s impressive about McNeill is that he’s equally as good at stopping the run as he is at penetrating the pocket. He’ll also be just 25 years old next offseason, providing an excellent young piece to add to any defense, but he sure would look good in purple.

Alim McNeill is a monster against the run pic.twitter.com/Txk44uqUeJ

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) July 25, 2024

Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys

Another underrated 2025 free agent is Osa Odighizuwa. While the Lions may look to sign McNeill to a contract extension, the Cowboys could have a rough salary cap situation, and they still need to pay Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. This could allow the 26-year-old (in 2025) to test free agency, where he’ll see that the Vikings are ready to spend big bucks.

• Osa Odighizuwa stats last season: 46 tackles, 3 sacks – 19th-best DL (PFF), 65.1 RDEF, 78.7 PRUSH

As you can see above, Odighizuwa is much better at creating pressure than he is at stopping the run. This means he’s not a fit at nose tackle, but he could fill one of the other two open defensive line starting positions. The Vikings could use someone who can generate pressure in the trenches, and the former third-round pick is one of the best. (14th-best pass rush grade in 2023).

If you want a great example of a defensive lineman walking a center all the way back into the pocket, what Osa Odighizuwa did to Josh Myers here is letter-perfect. pic.twitter.com/IxAesEKlh3

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 22, 2024

Related: Iron Sharpens Iron: Vikings’ Rookie Compliments Star Left Tackle

Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

The last player on our list needs no introduction. The lifetime Steeler and son of Craig ‘Iron Head’ Heyward has made six Pro Bowl appearances and has three All-Pro honors to his name. He’ll turn 36 next year, but being that he’s been very vocal about wanting a contract extension, he’s not thinking about retirement any time soon.

Surprisingly, he’s very open to leaving the Steelers despite spending 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.

“I’m not gonna get my hopes up either way. If they believe in me and think I can play more, so be it, but if they don’t, I’ll go somewhere else.”

Cameron Heyward

That sounds like someone eager to play football for at least another season, if not longer. However, there may be a reason why Pittsburgh has been hesitant to shell out another extension. He was limited to just 11 games last season, and PFF didn’t give him a great grade, at least not compared to his previous standards.

• Cameron Heyward stats last season: 33 tackles, 2 sacks, 71.9 PFF grade, 67.3 RDEF, 64.2 PRUSH (90.4 PFF grade from 2019-22)

However, Heyward is familiar with Brian Flores, who spent the 2022 season on Pittsburgh’s coaching staff. That could work in Minnesota’s favor, especially if the Vikings show they have a quarterback capable of competing. Heyward still doesn’t have a Super Bowl ring, so he’s expected to prioritize playing for a contender. Yet, he’ll have to prove he’s back to his elite self later this season for him to solve Minnesota’s needs.

Cameron Heyward welcomes Jordan Mailata to the big leagues pic.twitter.com/QohGm9gjz2

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 13, 2020

Related: 5 Bold Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Predictions, Including Lewis Cine’s Fate