Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures.
The Minnesota Vikings have 25 gamers scheduled to hit free company in 6.5 weeks. This offseason is ready as much as absolutely open a would-be Tremendous Bowl window for the purple staff, assuming quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the actual deal.
Vikings Free Agent Bubble — The High 6 Gamers
Minnesota has about $60 million in obtainable cap area as of January twenty fifth.
And with free company 45 days away, these are the 5 Vikings gamers on the bubble, ranked in ascending order of significance (No. 1 = most essential).
Please Observe: This text assumes Sam Darnold’s asking value might be too massive for Minnesota and that he’ll hit free company accordingly.
6. Shaquill Griffin (CB)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) runs again an interception towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers throughout their soccer recreation Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Area in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Pictures.
Griffin produced a 64.3 Professional Soccer Focus grade this season, a good output for his price ticket and age. However heading into 2025, Minnesota would possibly use free company so as to add a nook like D.J. Reed or the NFL Draft to pick out a rookie, equivalent to Shavon Revel Jr.
If normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swings and misses in free company or the draft, Griffin could possibly be a fallback plan.
5. Dalton Risner (RG)
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
Risner’s PFF mark checked in much like Griffin — 67.0 — however he didn’t seize the starter’s job till midseason. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted at offensive line enchancment after his staff misplaced to the Los Angeles Rams two weeks in the past, which means Risner and others could possibly be on the chopping block.
In back-to-back free-agent durations, 2023 and 2024, Risner acquired little or no consideration.
4. Daniel Jones (QB)
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
Jones joined the Vikings about two months in the past after the Giants lower ties. Minnesota shortly pounced, forging a attainable QB2 relationship for 2025.
The veteran passer could be the right QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy subsequent season, particularly if Sam Darnold bolts for the best bidder.
Nonetheless, this one is about cash, and whichever staff provides Jones the largest bag.
3. Aaron Jones (RB)
John Jones-Imagn Pictures.
Aaron Jones posted 1,546 yards from scrimmage in 2024, an exquisite output from a 30-year-old working again.
Minnesota ranked twentieth within the NFL per DVOA, although, and it’s unclear if the Vikings will need to entrust a 31-year-old working again with an RB1 workload.
It’s price noting that Jones has mentioned for months that he needs to complete his profession in purple.
2. Camryn Bynum (S)
Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports activities
Based on Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters, Minnesota will possible re-sign Professional Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy and security Camryn Bynum when the offseason hits. Walters revealed two weeks in the past, clarifying two prime offseason priorities.
“It’s clear the Vikings will re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy, who has six interceptions this season, and probably safety Cam Bynum, because it’s unlikely Harrison Smith, who turns 36 next month after 13 seasons, will return,” Walters opined on January thirteenth.
This one is a toss-up. A special NFL membership may pay Bynum a better wage, though the Pioneer Press is fairly assured about his return.
1. Byron Murphy (CB)
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Pictures
Earlier than the 2024 season kicked off, Murphy advised KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here.”
Couple that sentiment with Walters’ reporting, and Murphy looks like he’ll return for a number of extra years.
His asking value elevated when he made the Professional Bowl this season, however Minnesota ought to have the ability to afford him, particularly if it doesn’t spend large cash on Sam Darnold’s calls for.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options visitors, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.
