T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings just saved $5 million via a contract restructure while keeping tight end TJ Hockenson, one of their top two or three threats in the passing game — and that is just the beginning of the good news for the franchise heading into NFL free agency next week.
Minnesota is releasing both starting defensive tackles it inked last offseason and must watch center Ryan Kelly step away from the game via retirement in the interest of his health after three concussions last year alone. Those are all positions the Vikings must fill in free agency, while the team must also spend to add QB talent as competition for JJ McCarthy in the coming days.
The organization was more than $46.5 million in the red with regard to the 2026 salary cap as recently as last week. But after restructuring Hockenson’s contract, the Vikings now have $30 million at their disposal to add to a roster that was probably a quarterback away from making the playoffs last season.
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A more manageable amount of cap space for the #Vikings as Monday’s free agency negotiating window approaches.
“A more manageable amount of cap space for the #Vikings as Monday’s free agency negotiating window approaches,” the VikingzFanPage captioned a graphic of head coach Kevin O’Connell indicating the team’s $30 million in cap space.”
Vikings Frontrunners for Kyler Murray, Positioned to Sign Him to Team-Friendly Contract
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray takes the field against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
GettyArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Another meaningfully good outlook for the Vikings is that the Arizona Cardinals will officially release quarterback Kyler Murray next week, which will send the two-time Pro Bowler to unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career since Arizona selected him No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Friday via the “Rich Eisen Show” that Minnesota is the likely landing spot Murray.
“If I had to say who was the favorite right now to land Kyler Murray, I would say — for a lot of different reasons — it is Minnesota,” Pelissero said.
The Cardinals will pay Murray in the neighborhood of $36 million to play elsewhere in 2026, which means it is likely the Vikings will be able to sign him for the veteran’s league minimum of $1.3 million for his age-29 season.
Murray has produced 20,460 passing yards, 121 TDs and 60 INTs on a 67.1 percent completion rate across his seven years in the league to go along with 3,193 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. He owns a record of 38-48-1 as an NFL starter.
Vikings Can Use Extra Salary Cap Space to Add Quality Running Back as Replacement for Aaron Jones
GettyRunning back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.
The inexpensive deal on which Minnesota is likely to land Murray should free up money for the team to upgrade the running back position, which it must do as the Vikings intend to release Aaron Jones next week in the interest of saving close to $8 million against the salary cap.
Some of the higher-priced options at RB during this free agency cycle include Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks and Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Vikings could also look to a less expensive option like Kenneth Gainwell, who is a high-level receiver out of the backfield, to pair with Jordan Mason as the primary rusher in 2026.