Javon Hargrave defensive tackle Minnesota Vikings
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Javon Hargrave #97 of the Minnesota Vikings during warm up before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings currently have the least amount of cap space in the NFL, with the team currently residing over $42 million above the cap limit for the ensuing 2026 season.
Although there are multiple roads the team can take to become cap-compliant over the next three weeks, all possible options result in the team losing quality starters on either side of the ball.
The Vikings can save nearly $20 million by cutting right tackle Brian O’Neill, but the former second round pick was unequivocally Minnesota’s best offensive lineman in 2025.
So it seems instead they are looking to offload another expensive man in the trenches, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Hargrave signed a two year, $30 million with the Vikings last offseason after a so-so stint in San Francisco.
Hargrave had another down season in 2025 after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, managing just 3.5 sacks. He showed sparks of his elite self in fits and spurts but struggled with consistency over the course of the season.
And NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that the Vikings are currently engaging in trade talks to move off the former two-time Pro Bowler.
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave.
Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.
Vikings Looking to Trade Veteran Defensive Lineman
“Sources: TheVikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave.” Schultz posted on X. “Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”
The Vikings looking to move off Hargrave is not exactly shocking; The Athletic’s staff predicted as much in a piece last week.
“The Vikings signed the 33-year-old last offseason with the idea that he could recover some of his game-changing pass-rush potential.” The piece reads. “There were flashes. However, the consistency lacked, and it didn’t feel like he was a phenomenal fit for the scheme of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota, which is projected to be around $40 million over the cap, can save nearly $10 million by cutting Hargrave. ”
Yet it had not been widely anticipated that Hargrave would be traded by the organization. Ostensibly, a trade would be the smarter move: the Vikings would recoup some trade capital and would save an extra $4 million against this year’s salary cap.
What Will the Vikings Hope to get For Javon Hargrave?
Perhaps the better question is, will any team be willing to part with trade capital to absorb Hargrave’s $14.2 million base salary in 2026? Especially for a player who has just turned 33 years and is heading into his 11th year in the NFL.
Hargrave was one of the more feared defensive tackles in the NFL during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, during which he made two Pro Bowls and featured in one Super Bowl – the loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII.
Having managed just 4.5 sacks over the past two seasons and rapidly heading towards his mid-30s, it would seem naive to think that the South Carolina State alum will just magically return to his game-wrecking best in a slightly different scheme.
There is no doubt he can still be an effective player at the position, but finding a taker to eat all of Hargrave’s salary and give up a draft pick – even if it is just a seventh rounder in 2027 – could be a tall ask.