Minnesota Vikings Roster Cuts 2025: Tracking all of the moves made to get to 53 players

The Vikings have begun making some difficult decisions

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings finished the preseason with a 1-2 record after a 23-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans. That means the Vikings will have approximately 89 hours after the game to figure out how they want to construct the initial 53-man roster.

There are going to be some really heated debates across the roster on who should make it at multiple spots. The Vikings have a history of keeping UDFAs under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

  • 2022: P Ryan Wright
  • 2022: EDGE Luiji Vilain
  • 2023: LB Ivan Pace Jr.
  • 2023: EDGE Andre Carter II
  • 2023: CB NaJee Thompson
  • 2024: EDGE Gabe Murphy
  • 2024: NT Taki Taimani
  • 2024: CB Dwight McGlothern
  • 2024: EDGE/LB Bo Richter

There are a few players who are set to end up making the roster as a UDFA, but how many will get there? Many will end up getting cut, and they could end up getting on the practice squad. Here is every cut by the Minnesota Vikings to get down to the final 53-man roster.

Minnesota Vikings roster cuts tracker

Vikings trade Sam Howell to Eagles, sign Carson Wentz

This isn’t a cut, but these moves matter for how the Vikings are set to construct their roster. By trading Howell and signing Wentz, they have a better option at backup quarterback. The trade was an impressive one from Adofo-Mensah, as he turned Howel and a 2026 sixth-round pick into a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

Vikings release QB Brett Rypien

This is a big domino to fall. It essentially means that Max Brosmer will be the third quarterback on the roster, a role which he’s more than earned with his excellent training camp.

Vikings make 10 moves

The Vikings released OLB Cam Gill and officially announced the release of Brett Rypien. They also waived nine players.

  • CB Reddy Steward
  • CB Keenan Garber
  • RB Tre Stewart
  • S Mishael Powell
  • OT Logan Brown
  • OT Zach Bailey
  • WR Silas Bolden
  • WR Robert Lewis
  • DL Travis Bell

Vikings plan to waive OT Leroy Watson

The last ditch effort to try and trade him is interesting. Have to wonder if there has been interest in general and Adofo-Mensah is trying to generate more interest.

Vikings officially waive Watson, P Oscar Chapman

By moving on from Chapman, it gives Wright the punter job for now. The Vikings can add Chapman to the practice squad without incurring a salary cap charge via the International Pathway Program.

Vikings trade Mekhi Blackmon to Colts

The Vikings traded cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2026 sixth-round pick. It was obvious he wasn’t in the coaching staff’s favor anymore while struggling during the offseason in his return from a torn ACL.

Vikings waive RB Xazavian Valladay

When the Vikings signed Valladay, it was to eat carries in the preseason finale. After his performance, the Vikings might be willing to keep him on the practice squad because he impressed during Friday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Vikings cut OL Michael Gonzalez

The Vikings chose to move on from Gonzalez, who was brought in after the first preseason game due to injuries to Matt Nelson and Zeke Correll.

Vikings plan to waive EDGE Gabe Murphy

This is a weird one, as Murphy was a really impressive player for the Vikings during the preseason. Do they have another move coming?

Vikings waive S Gervarrius Owens

The Vikings brought in Owens during training camp to eat snaps once the preseason got into the second and third week. He’s certainly a candidate for the practice squad, as the Vikings will likely want to have at least one safety on there.

Vikings waive Zemaiah Vaughn

This one is a slight surprise, as Vaughn was impressive across the entire preseason. His one play that everyone knows was where he stumbled on an out route against Van Jefferson on Friday night. He’s got potential that’s worth developing.

Vikings waive Dontae Fleming

Fleming is a player that I believe is worth keeping around, but he’s not someone that was going to make the roster. He continued to gain separation and make dynamic catches down the field, but he did drop his last attempt at it against the Titans.

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