Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51), linebacker Ivan Tempo Jr. (0), cornerback Byron Murphy (7), and out of doors linebacker Dallas Turner (15) have a good time after recovering a fumble that was later dominated lifeless throughout second-quarter play in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. The protection confirmed excessive vitality regardless of the reversal. Necessary Credit score: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Photographs.
Principally everybody can see that a lot of the d-lineman received bumped down (apart from Jalen Redmond) because of the DT draft picks. Likewise, there was some added competitors at nook, heart, and even punter.
Misplaced within the shuffle, maybe, has been the influence on veteran linebacker Blake Cashman.
For a short time, I’ve written concerning the standing of Ivan Tempo Jr. on the Vikings’ roster. In any case, the previous UDFA had gone from rookie starter to taking part in a minimized position as a sophomore. After which his third season concerned getting totally demoted, positioned in a LB3 job behind Eric Wilson and Cashman. Going into 2026, is Mr. Tempo the linebacker who’s most impacted? Or, maybe, is his teammate dealing with the hardest battle?
Blake Cashman Amongst The Vikings’ Roster Losers
After the 2026 NFL Draft, Dustin Baker thought of the influence throughout the workforce’s in-house skills. Ivan Tempo got here in at No. 2 for gamers most impacted by the draft haul.
“Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson will start as off-ball linebackers in 2026,” Baker begins. “Then, the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Jake Golday. He’s the new youth movement at ILB. Pace Jr. is scheduled to be a Viking through the 2026 campaign. If Golday is worth the draft pick, that probably puts Pace Jr. on the chopping block next offseason.”
Nov 23, 2025; Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) take the sphere previous to a recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Area. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs.
Little question, Mr. Tempo is dealing with an uphill battle. At no level has he been a improbable choice in protection, however he a minimum of excelled when allowed to come back ahead. Let the ‘backer blitz and chase down runners, proper? The nice situation final season have been the missed tackles.
The place Tempo can discover some optimism is that he’s nonetheless younger and has a historical past of taking part in robust ball. The previous Cincinnati Bearcat continues to be solely 25. Even higher, his cap cost is coming in at roughly $3.5 million. Sitting on the defender for the upcoming season has benefit if solely to assist on specials and be a backup linebacker. Doing greater than that — getting again to turning into a starter — means arriving at a pleasant bonus for the workforce and participant alike.
What of Blake Cashman?
The veteran continues to be a very good soccer participant, doing effectively final season at the same time as he took a step again from his debut Vikings season. In 2024, Cashman was glorious. His stats confirmed 112 tackles to face alongside 4.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, and eight passes defended. Simply nice ball from the free-agent addition.
Working in opposition to him, although, is that he has battled accidents in every season in Minnesota. Worse but, Cashman is arising on his thirtieth birthday (Could tenth). There’s then the fact of a roster lower. Doing so would imply releasing up $7,632,353 if it happens after June 1st.
Does he meet an analogous destiny to Harrison Phillips, any individual who received traded away final August?
Steve Roberts-Imagn Photographs
Transferring on from Blake Cashman could be about extra than simply cap financial savings. In any case, the choice to chop or commerce may have already occurred if cash was so tight. What could be wanted is to see a roster competitors the place Minnesota feels actually good concerning the different linebackers.
Start with Eric Wilson. He was introduced again on a fairly hefty three-year deal. At minimal, Mr. Wilson seems more likely to be round for 2 extra seasons.
Subsequent up could be Tempo. He does want a bounce again, one thing that feels far off given the latest play. Nonetheless, the choice is there. On only a primary degree, Tempo is a superb match for a Brian Flores who’s all fuel and no brakes.
Selecting Jake Golday within the 2nd is indicative of enthusiasm for what he can supply. Once more, there does must be a means of proving to be prepared, however that’s not too arduous to check.
What would then make issues intense for the Vikings’ roster is that if the UDFA linebacker provides — Keli Lawson and/or Scooby Williams — step up. Or does the protection depth present itself to be improbable? All of Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, Tavierre Thomas, and Jakobe Thomas are very more likely to make the 53-man roster. Seeing Kahlef Hailassie be too good to chop would make issues cosy, particularly with Flores being so keen to shuffle a security into linebacker spot.
Oh, after which there’s that Harrison Smith man. Welcoming him again to city means carving out a roster spot. He, too, can play within the field.
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings security Josh Metellus (44), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1), linebacker Ivan Tempo Jr. (0), security Camryn Bynum (24) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) have a good time in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs
Linebacker Blake Cashman may be very more likely to be a key part of Minnesota’s roster for 2026. He’s a very good ball participant and an excellent chief, totally incomes the inexperienced dot resulting from his skills as a communicator and versatile abilities. What does must be remembered, although, is the funding in Wilson, the 2nd dedicated to Golday, after which the retention of Tempo. All the sudden, Cashman must compete in a method he didn’t up to now pair of seasons.
Regulate the ‘backer battle.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Electronic mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
