Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson speaks throughout a press convention on Sep. 26, 2025, on the Sport Eire Campus in Dublin, Eire. Hockenson joined teammates abroad because the Vikings promoted their worldwide presence forward of the NFL’s continued enlargement into world markets and future worldwide showcase occasions. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs
The Minnesota Vikings “took it easy” this offseason, resetting their wage cap in order that 2027 and 2028 don’t characteristic hellish monetary constraints. Within the meantime, let’s check out the most costly gamers of 2026.
Minnesota’s largest cap hits principally belong to stars, with one or two contracts price watching intently.
These 5 males, listed in ascending order, have the biggest cap hits this season (No. 1 = largest cap quantity)
The High of the MIN Payroll Is Largely Justifiable
Males with essentially the most cheddar by the numbers.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) heads off the sphere after pregame warmups earlier than dealing with the Chicago Bears on Oct. 15, 2023, at Soldier Area in Chicago, Illinois. Hockenson ready for an additional NFC North matchup whereas serving as one of many central pass-catching weapons in Minnesota’s offense through the 2023 marketing campaign. Necessary Credit score: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports activities
5. T.J. Hockenson | TE
Cap Quantity: $15.6 million
When the offseason started, many Vikings followers truly thought Hockenson can be launched as a wage cap casualty. Why? Properly, he’s paid as some of the premium tight ends within the NFL, and in 2025, the Vikings used him as a blocker. Groups shouldn’t spend over $15 million per season on blocking tight ends. They’ll discover such gamers in undrafted free company.
However as a result of Minnesota battled so many offensive line accidents, head coach Kevin O’Connell usually utilized Hockenson as his sixth offensive lineman.
In 2026, the prevailing concept suggests the workforce will shove Hockenson again right into a TE1 function, particularly with Kyler Murray at quarterback, who’s unafraid to throw to tight ends. See: Trey McBride.
FantasyLife‘s Ian Hartitz on Hockenson: “We’re looking at a TE who has finished the last three seasons as fantasy’s TE2 … TE18 … and TE27 … and he’s now being priced as the TE23 in early drafts! Last year, Hockenson ended August as the consensus TE5 in ADP.”
“Talk about someone being priced closer to their floor than ceiling ahead of a season in which all parties involved should see some level of improvement in the QB play department with the addition of Kyler Murray, who, you know, helped Trey McBride work as fantasy’s TE2 all the way back in … 2024.”
4. Will Fries | RG
Cap Quantity: $17.2 million
Fries fired up a 61.8 Professional Soccer Focus grade in 2025, a good mark however not price his chunky contract. Former common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made Fries his keynote offseason addition in 2025, and thru one season, the return on funding lagged.
The previous Colt should bounce again in 2026 to make the massive deal price it. In any other case, he’ll be on the chopping block subsequent offseason.
3. Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB
Cap Quantity: $19.2 million
Van Ginkel, then again, is price it.
He’s ultra-versatile, productive, and serves as glue for the Vikings’ move rush. His function in 2026 will even be extra essential after Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles a month in the past. In reality, one can argue that Van Ginkel is the membership’s new OLB1.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) work together through the Professional Bowl Expertise Problem on Jan. 30, 2025, at Nicholson Fieldhouse in Orlando, Florida. Each defenders represented their conferences whereas collaborating in Professional Bowl festivities that includes most of the NFL’s prime defensive playmakers and personalities. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs
Van Ginkel is also eligible for an additional contract extension this summer season. He’ll flip 31 this summer season.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick wrote about Van Ginkel’s future final month, “Since Van Ginkel is considered more of an edge rusher, the price to re-sign him is likely going to be higher than it will be to re-sign Cashman. So, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Minnesota re-signed the cheaper of the two, Cashman, and had Golday replace Van Ginkel in 2027 on a much more inexpensive contract.”
2. Justin Jefferson | WR
Cap Quantity: $21.2 million
One of the best participant on the Vikings’ roster — it’s been that means for a few half-decade now — Jefferson checks in at No. 2 and is price each penny.
He failed to provide a Jeffersonian season in 2025 as a result of the Vikings’ quarterbacks couldn’t discover their groove. However Jefferson remained the straw that stirred the drink on offense. The 2026 marketing campaign is of the utmost significance for Jefferson. If the Vikings don’t attain the playoffs and/or don’t stabilize the quarterback scenario, he may fairly ask for a commerce subsequent offseason, and nobody would a) be stunned b) fault him for it.
In concept, if Jefferson adopted Randy Moss’s timeline, 2026 can be his closing 12 months in Minnesota. Ache.
1. Brian O’Neill | RT
Cap Quantity: $23.1 million
Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) blocks in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sep. 14, 2023, at Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. O’Neill continued anchoring Minnesota’s offensive line throughout a tough highway matchup whereas sustaining his popularity as one of many Vikings’ most reliable and constant offensive performers. Necessary Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities
Wanna see the definition of consistency? Have a gander at O’Neill’s PFF marks since 2018:
2025 — 81.62024 — 79.32023 — 74.52022 — 82.72021 — 73.42020 — 78.02019 — 70.82018 — 63.0
The man by no means has dangerous seasons; his poor video games are few and much between. Even courting again to the earlier period, beneath Mike Zimmer, when Minnesota simply couldn’t work out its offensive line troubles, O’Neill stood out because the lone stalwart of OL consistency.
And, sure, he’ll in all probability play marvelously once more in 2026. That’s what he does.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
