Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell throughout the first half at MetLife Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Pictures
As issues stand, the Vikings are boasting north of $13 million in open cap house (OTC). Not too shabby, however issues could possibly be improved. In actual fact, the monetary outlook for 2026 appears destined to enhance.
The Minnesota Vikings boast a pair of stud gamers in RT1 Brian O’Neill and EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel, each of whom appear like logical extension candidates. Mixed, the pair of veterans may spark a strong monetary windfall for the present-day Vikings. All that’s wanted is for GM Nolan Teasley to place collectively a pair of contract extensions, a process that’s simpler mentioned than executed however that’s however fairly believable.
The Vikings’ Cap: Look ahead to a $25M Increase
At this stage, Mr. O’Neill seems to be a lifelong Viking.
Kirk Cousins used to move alongside the quip that the letters “NFL” really stand for “Not for Long.” His primary concept is that job safety is scarce within the money-hungry, cutthroat soccer league. Only a few gamers ever arrive at fixity of their employment for a selected workforce.
Brian O’Neill is subsequently a novel participant who seems to be following in Harrison Smith’s and C.J. Ham’s footsteps.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76), offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) and fullback C.J. Ham (30) have a good time after a landing in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers throughout the second quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Pictures
Proper now, O’Neill carries the weightiest cap cost for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s seeing $23,115,657 get connected to his title, successful that’s value it however nonetheless tough sufficient to digest.
Extending the rugged giant lad may contain $14,160,000 getting put again into the combination. At this level on the calendar, that’s a complete that’s fairly beefy. Sufficient to do harm among the many remaining free agent abilities, that’s for certain.
Extending O’Neill seems to be Step 1, at the very least within the minds of many.
There’s then Andrew Van Ginkel, whom the Vikings ought to be prioritizing as the highest participant to increase. No workforce can succeed with out having a formidable move rush. In Van Ginkel, the Vikings boast one of the vital ignored choices inside issues of the NFL’s prime edge rushers. Guaranteeing that he finishes his professional profession with a horn on his helmet ought to be a precedence.
He, too, is an expensive participant. The cap is exhibiting $19,250,000 for the sting rusher’s providers in 2026 (third-most on the workforce behind O’Neill and Justin Jefferson). Extending him may imply seeing $11,352,000 tossed again into the combination for 2026.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes an attempt to get well a fumble defended by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) within the second half at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Ginkel recovered the fumble on the play. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures
Extending each of Brian O’Neill and Andrew Van Ginkel — an affordable consequence which will even be possible — would imply giving the Vikings $25,512,000 in added cap room for 2026.
Teasley may use that open room to reinforce the roster by plucking expertise out of free company. Or, maybe, there’s a need to enterprise into the commerce market. Boasting ample cap house helps in in relation to pulling off a swap.
The NFL is working from inside its slowest portion of the 12 months. What may disrupt the seemingly inevitable summer time doldrums is an extension or two. The Vikings boast a number of gamers who appear as if good candidates, none extra compelling than O’Neill and Van Ginkel. Since every have hearty cap prices, every may give again ample cap room.
Search for the Vikings to get some enhanced cap house in some unspecified time in the future throughout the summer time.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
