The Vikings May Need a New Gameplan — Again
NFL clubs were informed today that the salary cap for the ’26 season will jump $22 million per club to $301.2 million. Add in another $77.6m in benefits & that’s $378.8m per club in player spending. Tremendous growth pic.twitter.com/cQ5Zf3aGVW
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) February 27, 2026
Who can they restructure, and who might just be gone? I feel that Brian O’Neill, T.J. Hockenson, and Johnathan Allen will all be restructured. I know that Hockenson is a popular release candidate, but I feel that after recovering from his knee injury and a year spent helping block for an offensive line that could be their own episode of The Pitt, he will return to form.
I kind of hope that Aaron Jones can be kept around, but I think he will be released along with Hargrave and Ryan Kelly, who should retire to protect his future health. There may be others that can be restructured without killing future cap space, and there may be a surprise release mixed in that may sting. Another player who, if traded, could take about $2.6 million off the books is Jordan Addison. I’m a huge believer in second chances and even third chances.
I think we’re at the tipping point here. After being suspended to start the season and then missing a meeting before their game in London to be benched for the first half by the team, Mr. Addison followed that up by getting into some hot water at a Florida casino.
Ryan Wright had a great year and is worth bringing back, as is running back Zavier Scott, who had flashes last year as a backup.
Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Ivan Pace Jr. may all be left to test the free agent market. Keeping Justin Skule as a backup lineman may also need to be addressed, but he could be another luxury they can’t keep. This is where the draft becomes even more important for depth.
Draft Strategy
As I mentioned before, they need to get the draft success turned around quickly. The Vikings currently have 8 total picks, and 4 of those are in the top 100. Compensatory picks have yet to be doled out, and they may net two more, with one in the 3rd and possibly the 5th.
The formula can be dicey at times. If they get up to 10 picks, they are well-positioned to get some potential starters and decent depth. I feel they will not cling to the analytical take with the draft, and we could see more picks along the lines of taking the best player available. Position of need may be the final factor in the pick if it’s a toss-up.
However, the opportunity to trade down from their 18th slot is possible, with Cleveland and Dallas having multiple first-round picks. Cleveland’s 2nd-round pick may also be compensation for the previously mentioned Addison trade, with the Raiders, Chargers, Buccaneers, and Patriots as potential landing spots. I don’t see trading up as an option at this point unless they get heavy into trading and offload several players for picks.
For the players, I can see them targeting in the draft; it has been a large pool to pick from, potentially. Running back Jeremiyah Love, defensive lineman Caleb Banks, cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Monsoor Delane, and safeties Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman have all been mocked to the Vikings at pick 18. All could fill roles on the team and project as long-term players who should stick in the league.
With questions around Addison and Jalen Nailor’s pending free agency, it could also open the possibility of a wide receiver being the target. That would add a cheaper player, hopefully with fewer headaches. Let’s not forget to include the possible surprise pick at tight end, Kenyon Sadiq, even if the team retains Hockenson.
Surprisingly, Adofo-Mensah’s best drafting attribute was finding late-round pieces and undrafted free agents who have made an impact on the team beyond special teams.
For every Lewis Cine and Ed Ingram that disappeared from the roster, they have plucked Joe Huber, Myles Price, and Will Reichard, among others, who have either shone or had key moments showing their potential. That will need to continue with the new regime, or get even better at it. If the top-end drafting is solid, then the back end won’t need to be a saving grace anymore.
The Elephant In the Room
JJ McCarthy will continue to be the biggest question all off-season. Again. ESPN and NFL Network will rake it over the coals, as will every sports-related radio show, podcast, and fan site that deems it necessary, whether or not they’re connected directly to the Vikings.
McCarthy’s second season was filled with injuries, moments of hope, cringeworthy nicknames, and interceptions. It was his first year to actually get reps on the field and grow as a player. By the end of the year, he seemed to have found his rhythm and given fans hope that the guy they want him to be will show up soon.
 walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kirk-Cousins-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=602,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kirk-Cousins-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kirk-Cousins-1.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>When free agency hits, everyone will be watching the possible quarterbacks the Vikings might bring in. Whether that person is brought in as straight competition or as a veteran presence to fill in and guide the young quarterback will be the talk of the town and the league. I have no problem with a Kirk Cousins reunion, as the Falcons are reportedly getting ready to release him, as he still has some stuff left in the tank and could finally be in the mindset that he’s not guaranteed to be the starter anymore.</p>
<p>They could also bring in <a href=)
Malik Willis or another young prospect as direct competition to push McCarthy to lock in more and jump in if McCarthy goes down again. I still think they are going to be patient with him because O’Connell has said the league gives up on quarterbacks too often and too early, using Sam Darnold as a perfect example.
Once again, we are left with more questions than answers. My prediction is that they get things back on track, but the team may have to endure a tough year as past mistakes are corrected and the salary cap is addressed. Fans may have to wait until the 2027 season before they see the choices come to fruition.
I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz
