In the coming days, I’ll be doing brief synopses for each NFL team regarding their current cap situation and offseason approach they should take.
We’ll start with the teams that have the most cap space available, then work our way down to those teams who have less cap space, to those who have work to do to gain cap space.
Each synopsis will look at cap space (or how much over the cap), players under contract, total draft picks, any players with a fifth-year option decision ahead and notes about the most notable free agent, the most likely player cut and the quarterback situation.
We’ll wrap up this series with the Minnesota Vikings.
Players under contract for 2026: 54
Projected cap space: $43.2M over the cap
Total draft picks: Nine (No. 18 in first round)
Most notable free agent: Harrison Smith
Most likely roster cut: Ryan Kelly
Fifth-year option decision: Jordan Addison
Quarterback situation: JJ McCarthy’s health issues and inconsistent play mean the Vikings need to add a veteran QB.
The ideal offseason approach:
The Vikings need to move on from older players, though they could consider extending Brian O’Neill or renegotiate salaries for a couple of others. But the focus should be on getting younger rather than assuming they can easily get back to the playoffs if things go well at the QB position.
As far as a veteran QB goes, the Vikings could sign one who is due a lot of money from his current teams but is released because the team simply wants to move on. Otherwise, they shouldn’t get aggressive in free agency.
The Vikings will have four picks in the first three rounds of the draft, so they are in a good position to replenish the roster with younger players. Addison’s fifth-year option will likely be picked up, because $18M is fine for a No. 2 receiver given the current market.