Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers mix to deal with Dallas Cowboys large receiver Ryan Flournoy throughout first-half motion at AT&T Stadium, with Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington capturing a robust defensive sequence as Minnesota restricted yards after catch in a aggressive highway matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures
On paper, from a Might 2026 viewpoint, the 2027 offseason is scheduled to characteristic a mass exodus of veteran expertise for the Minnesota Vikings. The membership didn’t spend a lot in 2026 free company — most likely as a result of it knew that extending present gamers can be a prime precedence. And as quickly as now and throughout the summer season, a number of gamers are in line for extensions.
Minnesota can nonetheless spend sensible by holding a number of acquainted names in place.
The Vikings gained’t prolong the entire following gamers in 2026, however every has a case to ask for extra money and time.
Inside Contract Selections on Faucet for Minnesota’s Summer season
Listed in alphabetical order, you’ll be able to tentatively anticipate extensions for these gamers:
Minnesota Vikings large receiver Jordan Addison celebrates with quarterback Sam Darnold after a scoring play, with Dec 29, 2024 positioned at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis because the duo shares vitality following a third-quarter landing towards the Packers, highlighting offensive chemistry throughout a key divisional matchup late within the season. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures
Jordan Addison (WR)
The Vikings will most likely slow-roll Addison’s extension to make sure he stays out of hassle. They don’t seem to be required to increase him this summer season, however for a participant with zero off-the-field transgressions, now can be the time.
Minnesota exercised his fifth-year choice final week. As long as he stays out of hassle, Addison might be round for the lengthy haul.
In truth, if the Vikings hopped on his extension now, they may save themselves over $10 million, for the reason that NFL market resets each offseason.
Blake Brandel (C)
This man might be head coach Kevin O’Connell’s beginning heart. Followers anticipated Minnesota to draft a middle early in final month’s draft, nevertheless it waited till Spherical 7 to deliver dwelling Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati.
The Vikings love Brandel, and he deserves a brand new deal. His contract runs out after the 2026 season. The person can play each offensive line place, which isn’t regular.
Blake Cashman (ILB)
With Cashman coming into the ultimate yr of his contract, the Vikings face a vital choice relating to his future.
At the moment incomes $7.5 million per season, Cashman’s compensation now not precisely displays his on-field manufacturing. A brief-term extension, maybe for 2 years at roughly $20 million, seems to be essentially the most logical step, a deal interim boss Rob Brzezinski is prone to finalize earlier than the season begins.
His stats in 2025 strongly help this. Cashman averaged a powerful 11.07 tackles per sport. Over a full season, this tempo would have collected 188 tackles, putting him eighth all-time in NFL historical past. Regardless of lacking 4 video games, which lowered his total whole and should have obscured his distinctive efficiency, his per-game influence was plain.
Past the numbers, Cashman is a perfect match for Brian Flores’s protection. The Eden Prairie native performs as if he had been tailored for Flores, having actually discovered his rhythm and delivered important performs.
Cashman’s future can also be fascinating as a result of the Vikings simply drafted Cincinnati’s Jake Golday in Spherical 2 of the draft. In principle, Minnesota may let Cashman stroll and promote Golday in 2027.
Jordan Mason (RB)
The Vikings signed Mason to an extension final offseason after touchdown him by way of commerce with the San Francisco 49ers. That deal runs out on the finish of the upcoming season.
Brzezinski re-upped with Aaron Jones in March, as Jones accepted a small paycut to stay with the staff. The deal ensured that Jones and Mason will most likely share RB1 carries this yr.
If Minnesota values Mason, he could possibly be prolonged this summer season, as his profession’s prime ought to have a few years remaining. That might doubtless price round $6 million or $7 million per yr.
Brian O’Neill (RT)
The Vikings will quickly must re-evaluate O’Neill’s contract, and the explanations are evident. He stays the staff’s most dependable offensive lineman, excelling in efficiency and sturdiness for years. Whereas he’ll flip 31 quickly and age is now part of the dialog, prime offensive tackles sometimes preserve their efficiency longer than gamers at extra risky positions. O’Neill has given Minnesota no motive to consider he’s on the verge of a decline.
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Brian O’Neill acknowledges the house crowd following a robust efficiency, with Dec 1, 2024 centered at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis as he reacts postgame towards the Arizona Cardinals, showcasing management and reference to followers after contributing to the staff’s effort in entrance of a house viewers. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures
Nevertheless, the extra urgent concern is timing. O’Neill is ready to grow to be a free agent in 2027, and the Vikings will undoubtedly need to keep away from that interval of uncertainty. An extension that features assured new cash can be a shrewd transfer for all events. If the Vikings purpose to keep up offensive stability, O’Neill wants to stay a core a part of the image.
O’Neill might be the most definitely participant on this checklist to seize a brand new deal.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Rodgers delivered the sport of a lifetime final September, personally slaughtering the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Alongside the best way, he made a reputation for himself and performed fairly nicely for the entire season, although Rodgers is just not the best tackler.
However he’s quick as hell, and he’s a playmaker.
His extension would possibly appear like two years and $25 million or one thing in that ballpark.
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
Van Ginkel is all of the sudden extra very important to the Vikings than ever. The staff traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles throughout the draft, nominating Van Ginkel and teammate Dallas Turner for beginning OLB obligation. Past the pair, that’s just about it for credible OLB depth on the Vikings’ roster.
Minnesota added $23 million to his contract about one yr in the past. It may do the identical this summer season, connecting Van Ginkel to the membership by the tip of 2027.
He’ll flip 31 this summer season; age is now a consider his long-term outlook.
Jay Ward (S)
Ward excelled when given alternatives final season, injecting grit, physicality, and much-needed youth into the secondary. Drafted in 2023, Ward is now coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract, making this an opportune second to discover a modest extension earlier than his market worth escalates.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr celebrates a defensive takeaway alongside teammates, with Nov 27, 2023 set at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis as he reacts with Jay Ward and Pat Jones II after a fourth-quarter fumble restoration towards the Bears, capturing a momentum-shifting second throughout a divisional contest. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
His utilization late final season can also be important. Flores’s obvious belief in Ward, even favoring him over Theo Jackson at occasions, spoke volumes. Turning 26 this summer season, Ward embodies the kind of youthful defensive expertise Minnesota ought to prioritize retaining.
Particularly with Harrison Smith’s future in jeopardy, now could be the time to lock down Ward.
