Vikings 2026 Cap PIcture

It’s nice to see someone lay this out in text format.

MaroonBells wrote:
This basically outlines how the Vikings can go from being $48M over the cap to $62M under. The Vikings won’t likely make all of these moves, but just the first two makes them cap compliant.

Read the whole article from Tyler Forness HERE.

Vikings are projected to be $48,999,691 over the salary cap in 2026 in terms of effective cap space. That includes all the projected draft picks, along with the Vikings’ current contracts per Over The Cap. They also have $20,791,954 in cap space to roll over, which would put them at $28,207,740 based on a projected $295 million salary cap.

Extend Brian O’Neill
Salary cap hit: $23,115,657
New cap hit: $8 million
Savings: $15,115,657
The Vikings would be wise to extend O’Neill, and with his age, that will likely be something like a three-year deal. Put it at about $60 million with $45 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus. Not only did O’Neill end up getting a raise, he gets a short-term deal here that would allow him to hit the market again before he turns 35.

Restructure Jonathan Greenard
Salary cap hit: $22,150,000
New cap hit: $8.94 million
Savings: $13.21 million
With a base salary of $18.39 million, $17 million of that will end up getting split with the final four years of his deal, two of which are void years. Greenard is going to be a massive part of this team for years to come, and keeping him should be a priority for the Vikings. Because he’s going to be part of the Vikings for a long time, moving money around isn’t a big deal.

Cut or restructure T.J. Hockenson
Cut Salary cap hit: $21,296,176
Dead cap hit: $12.425 million
Savings: $8,871,176
Cutting Hockenson is something that many want to happen due to his lack of production. It’s not all his fault. While he has lost a little bit of his juice, Hockenson didn’t get to run his full plethora of routes consistently. With the offensive line issues, Hockenson was always chipping, which prevented him from being as impactful. Cutting him also only saves about 40% of his cap hit.
Restructure Salary cap hit: $21,296,176
New cap hit: $12 million
Savings: $9.33 million
A restructure makes the most sense for the Vikings. Hockenson has no guaranteed money left, which is why many believe he could be cut. However, moving on from Hockenson means that a major hole opens up at tight end, which would require an immediate fix for the Vikings.

Restructure Justin Jefferson
Salary cap hit: $38,987,600
New cap hit: $21.9876 million
Savings: $16.99 million
Jefferson has a large base salary of $24.99 million, but his massive signing bonus prorates to $7,487,600, along with a $6 million option bonus. You can only squeeze out so much cap relief with Jefferson, but he’s a near certainty to be on the team throughout his contract.

Restructure Christian Darrisaw
Salary cap hit: $22,524,282
New cap hit: $12.56 million
Savings: $9,968,947
Darrisaw is the left tackle, not just for today, but for the future. It’s certainly frustrating that he’s yet to play a full 17-game season since the Vikings selected him 23rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Even so, he’s a top-three left tackle in the NFL when he does play. Even though the injuries are frustrating, he’s still the guy.

Cut Javon Hargrave
Salary cap hit: $21,453,382
Dead cap hit: $10,955,882
Savings: $10,497,500
This is the easiest one of the bunch. Hargrave was a good pass rusher, but he didn’t perform nearly well enough to warrant bringing him back at that price. He does have $4 million fully guaranteed, which the Vikings would end up saving if they are able to trade him. It’s unlikely, which means cutting him feels like a near certainty. There is a chance that Hargrave comes back on a restructured deal, especially if it saves the Vikings significant money. That amount could be more than what he would get on the open market.

Cut Aaron Jones
Salary cap hit: $14,550,000
Dead cap hit: $6.8 million
Savings: $7.75 million
Jones is going to be the most interesting player to discuss on this list. He is still very impactful for the offense, but is always injured, even if he plays. That injury history is incredibly frustrating, and that’s why the Vikings could move on, because it’s not going away.

Cut Ryan Kelly
Salary cap hit: $11,715,147
Dead cap hit: $3,367,500
Savings: $8,347,647
Kelly is going to be interesting. The Vikings would love to have the player back, but three concussions this year could lead him to retirement. He already considered it last offseason, and the 2025 season could be the reason why.

Salary cap space
Keeping Hockenson: $90,750,927 ($62,543,187 in cap space)

Cutting Hockenson: $91,206,751 ($62,999,011 in cap space)

All of these moves would create a ton of cap space to improve the Vikings in the short term, but they would be pushing a lot of money into the future. All of these being done isn’t likely, but a combination of these moves will happen in some form. The 2026 Vikings will look much different next season.

As much as I would like to move on from TJH, this isn't a deep draft for the TE position. The free agents that would be an upgrade to TJH are going to get paid.

Knucklehead wrote:
As much as I would like to move on from TJH, this isn't a deep draft for the TE position. The free agents that would be an upgrade to TJH are going to get paid.

I know we really need to consider a DT, LB or DB high in this draft, but this guy would sure make me excited about 2026...Probably not as much as it would energize JJM (or Jettas). 

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq will leave the program early to declare for the NFL draft, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night. Mel Kiper's No. 1-ranked tight end in the 2026 draft, and the No. 10 overall player, Sadiq was a key figure in the Ducks' offense this year.

purplefaithful wrote:

I know we really need to consider a DT, LB or DB high in this draft, but this guy would sure make me excited about 2026...Probably not as much as it would energize JJM (or Jettas). 

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq will leave the program early to declare for the NFL draft, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night. Mel Kiper's No. 1-ranked tight end in the 2026 draft, and the No. 10 overall player, Sadiq was a key figure in the Ducks' offense this year.

I'll refrain from my annual rant about taking TEs early in the draft for one reason: They've gotten better. A few years ago it seemed like every TE taken in the 1st or 2nd round, if not a bust, was at least a severe disappointment: Eric Ebron, OJ Howard, Hayden Hurst and Noah Fant, especially when some of the best TEs were taken much later: Kelce, Kittle, Ferguson, Andrews, etc. But Bowers, LePorta, McBride and Warren have maybe flipped that script a little.

That said, I'm still not a fan of using our precious 1st round pick to take a player who is unlikely to be a big upgrade over what we had there last year. At least not right away. It's like spending $2,000 on a car repair that just gets your car going again. You're $2K poorer, but you have the same car you had before. It's status quo...a sister-kisser. 

Don't know much about Sadiq yet, so I could change my mind.

MaroonBells wrote:

I'll refrain from my annual rant about taking TEs early in the draft for one reason: They've gotten better. A few years ago it seemed like every TE taken in the 1st or 2nd round, if not a bust, was at least a severe disappointment: Eric Ebron, OJ Howard, Hayden Hurst and Noah Fant, especially when some of the best TEs were taken much later: Kelce, Kittle, Ferguson, Andrews, etc. But Bowers, LePorta, McBride and Warren have maybe flipped that script a little.

That said, I'm still not a fan of using our precious 1st round pick to take a player who is unlikely to be a big upgrade over what we had there last year. At least not right away. It's like spending $2,000 on a car repair that just gets your car going again. You're $2K poorer, but you have the same car you had before. It's status quo...a sister-kisser. 

Don't know much about Sadiq yet, so I could change my mind.

IT was Warren and LaPorta that got me excited about TE's again...Detroit offense is embarrassingly loaded with weapons and I saw them struggle w/out LaPorta this season. 

That was REALLY eye opening to me...U end up having to put a S on the TE, cause a LB wont cut it.

Outside of QB, the Vikings are pretty set at the premium positions, LT, RT, Edge, WR. CB is probably the one premium position we're missing.

I think we're pretty well set to take BPA at one of several positions that might be less traditionally coveted.

medaille wrote:
Outside of QB, the Vikings are pretty set at the premium positions, LT, RT, Edge, WR.  CB is probably the one premium position we're missing.

I think we're pretty well set to take BPA at one of several positions that might be less traditionally coveted.

I have questions about how far back Darrisaw will be in 26 (maybe ever?)

I'm not going as far as saying we throw a #1 pick on LT, but I think we may have to have a better plan than a swing tackle back-up. 

Not sure if thats possible with roster/cap restrictions.

he kind of loses me at the part where it says its pushing a lot of the savings into future years instead of just dealing with the issues now. I know some dead money is part of the game, but I am guessing we are trading a current head ache for a future ass ache.

JimmyinSD wrote:
he kind of loses me at the part where it says  its pushing a lot of the savings into future years instead of just dealing with the issues now.  I know some dead money is part of the game,  but I am guessing we are trading a current head ache for a future ass ache.

I knew what your post was before I even read it, Jimmy. Seems we have this argument every year. :-) Mine is that this is how the game is played. And it's pretty hard to argue against it when the team that leads the NFL in void year money—and by a massive amount each and every year—is the defending Super Bowl champion. Also, it doesn't take long to change that future money picture. For example, on last year's version of this list, Kansas City ranked 5th. 

Due to past draft failures, the Vikings have to be active in free agency.

Missing on draft picks has far reaching effects and consequences.

My guess is they'll make enough of moves to generate the space to go get players. I hope they clean house and get young.

Mattyman wrote:
Due to past draft failures, the Vikings have to be active in free agency.

Missing on draft picks has far reaching effects and consequences.

My guess is they'll make enough of moves to generate the space to go get players. I hope they clean house and get young.

You could realistically make a case that the Vikings heading into the draft could have needs at;

- Tackle
- Center
- Running back
- Tight End
- Receiver
- Defensive Line
- Linebacker
- Cornerback 
- Safety

Did I miss anything? It really is an obscene list due to the cumulative draft whiffs over the last four years. Again, the best players on the roster are still Spielman guys. Our strongest position group might be the special teams unit. 

How Kwesi continues to run this operation is beyond me...

supafreak84 wrote:

You could realistically make a case that the Vikings heading into the draft could have needs at;

- Tackle
- Center
- Running back
- Tight End
- Receiver
- Defensive Line
- Linebacker
- Cornerback 
- Safety

Did I miss anything? It really is an obscene list due to the cumulative draft whiffs over the last four years. Again, the best players on the roster are still Spielman guys. Our strongest position group might be the special teams unit. 

How Kwesi continues to run this operation is beyond me...

If you count positions where there are players who may or may not have injury concerns, may or may not leave via free agency, may or may not be released, may or may be traded and may or may not retire, you could make a similar list for every team in the NFL.

supafreak84 wrote:

You could realistically make a case that the Vikings heading into the draft could have needs at;

- Tackle
- Center
- Running back
- Tight End
- Receiver
- Defensive Line
- Linebacker
- Cornerback 
- Safety

Did I miss anything? It really is an obscene list due to the cumulative draft whiffs over the last four years. Again, the best players on the roster are still Spielman guys. Our strongest position group might be the special teams unit. 

How Kwesi continues to run this operation is beyond me...

It is amazing how poorly this team has been run from a personnel standpoint, what stands out to me with this list is that a case can be made to have QB on it.  Going into the off season are we confident that we have a QB on the roster who can stay on the field and perform at a high level consistently.  I think of everything the top priority this off season is going to find someone who can at least compete for that roll.

It's not hard to understand if you can be objective about our drafts since the current regime was hired.  

To be in the playoffs every year and compete for and win titles, even with a somewhat inferior HC/QB, a team has to have the horses.

Interesting comments from Howie Roseman…

— Eagles have had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since 2021
— They’ve hit on 14 long-term starters

Comparing that to the Vikings…

— Vikings have also had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since ‘21
— They’ve hit on ~4 long-term starters https://t.co/tadq7KwJkG

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 15, 2026

JR44 wrote:

It is amazing how poorly this team has been run from a personnel standpoint, what stands out to me with this list is that a case can be made to have QB on it.  Going into the off season are we confident that we have a QB on the roster who can stay on the field and perform at a high level consistently.  I think of everything the top priority this off season is going to find someone who can at least compete for that roll.

The only reason I didn't have a QB on the list is because that position will be addressed prior to the draft in some fashion, but you are correct

MaroonBells wrote:

I knew what your post was before I even read it, Jimmy. Seems we have this argument every year. :-) Mine is that this is how the game is played. And it's pretty hard to argue against it when the team that leads the NFL in void year money—and by a massive amount each and every year—is the defending Super Bowl champion. Also, it doesn't take long to change that future money picture. For example, on last year's version of this list, Kansas City ranked 5th. 

I like this chart because it at least acknowledges that cap hits are flexible.  I don't think it's 100% perfect because it's still missing how much money is hidden in salaries for future years, that aren't void years, but are destined to be restructured, like Mahomes has a 2026 cap hit of $78M which will have to be restructured, but everything looks like clean living in the chart.

But the point still stands, this is a flexible cap league.  You maximize your chances by stringing together a long window of competitive years and squish as much of your cap hits into as few non competitive years as possible.  People that don't understand that, will look at the chart and think the top is bad  and bottom is good, but they won't understand that teams are in different points in their competitive/rebuild cycles.

comet52 wrote:
It's not hard to understand if you can be objective about our drafts since the current regime was hired.  

To be in the playoffs every year and compete for and win titles, even with a somewhat inferior HC/QB, a team has to have the horses.

Interesting comments from Howie Roseman…

— Eagles have had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since 2021
— They’ve hit on 14 long-term starters

Comparing that to the Vikings…

— Vikings have also had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since ‘21
— They’ve hit on ~4 long-term starters https://t.co/tadq7KwJkG

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 15, 2026

This is likely more the reason they are defending SB champs than their spending.

If I remember correctly didn't the Vikings interview some women for GM from the Eagles front office? But we end up with Kwesi and Grigson.

comet52 wrote:
It's not hard to understand if you can be objective about our drafts since the current regime was hired.  

To be in the playoffs every year and compete for and win titles, even with a somewhat inferior HC/QB, a team has to have the horses.

Interesting comments from Howie Roseman…

— Eagles have had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since 2021
— They’ve hit on 14 long-term starters

Comparing that to the Vikings…

— Vikings have also had 15 picks in Days 1-2 of draft since ‘21
— They’ve hit on ~4 long-term starters https://t.co/tadq7KwJkG

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 15, 2026

To be fair, four of those misses were on the previous regime. Another miss is starting in Indy and another is starting in Houston. 2nd rounders obviously have a lot to do with this. Vikings haven’t had a 2nd rounder in 4 years. Eagles have had 4.

JimmyinSD wrote:
This is likely more the reason they are defending SB champs than their spending.

The point is that putting money into future years doesn’t sabotage your ability to compete as much as some think.

Greylock wrote:
If I remember correctly didn't the Vikings interview some women for GM from the Eagles front office?  But we end up with Kwesi and Grigson.

Yes, she was a finalist along with Kwesi. Also with no scouting or personnel experience and hasnt so much as sniffed another GM job since. So tell me again there was no agenda in who (or what) the Wilfs were wanting to do at GM this last round. Plain as day...