Jan. 14, 2026, 11:16 p.m. CT
The Minnesota Vikings are currently $43,969,236 over the salary cap in 2026, per OverTheCap. But because of how they have structured many of their contracts, the Vikings have a chance to offload several players to get not only cap-compliant, but to give themselves plenty of money to work with in free agency.
But which players can be given up not only to save money for 2026, but also gain future assets? Minnesota is currently slated to have 10 picks in the upcoming draft, with four in the top 97. Could they add to that total with savvy moves with veteran players?
There’s also the possibility that the Vikings use one (or more) of these picks to acquire a quarterback. That almost feels counter-productive for this exercise, but Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear on Tuesday that they want competition at the sport’s most important position.
Here are three realistic trade possibilities for the Vikings this offseason.
Vikings acquire Mac Jones
Vikings receive: QB Mac Jones49ers send: Vikings’ 2026 3rd-round pick (97th overall)
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PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator was going to give us way too good a deal for Jones (an 88% chance to acquire him with pick 161). We’ll assume the 49ers play more hardball with the Vikings and meet in the middle, demanding Minnesota’s later third-round pick in the trade. Jones would provide the Vikings with a high-end backup at worst, and a serviceable QB1 at best if he can beat out J.J. McCarthy in camp.
Jonathan Greenard to the Patriots
Vikings receive: Patriots’ 2026 2nd-round pick (60th overall)Patriots receive: EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Vikings’ 2027 7th-round pick (through Philadelphia)
Greenard had a rough 2025 season. He missed the final three games of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury and only registered three sacks after totaling 24.5 the previous two seasons. Greenard still led the Vikings with 47 pressures, but the emergence of Dallas Turner could make Greenard expendable. Greenard also has no guaranteed money left on his deal, and a trade with a post-June 1st designation would save Minnesota $18.85 million.
Jordan Addison to the Ravens
Vikings receive: Ravens’ 2026 3rd-round pick (80th overall)Ravens receive: WR Jordan Addison
Projecting Addison’s trade value is tricky. He’s still on his rookie deal, making him cheap. But he had off-field issues in each of his three seasons and was arrested again this week. The Vikings could find him too reckless to retain, outweighing his undeniable talent.
Had he not had his most recent off-field snafu, Addison would no doubt warrant at least a Day 2 pick. We’ll give him a little bit of leeway here and believe that no one will hold his trespassing charge against him too much, instead banking on a change of scenery and his ability to provide high-end WR2 production. This trade would unite Addison with fellow 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers and give Lamar Jackson another option to throw to.