Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Predictions: Interim GM Rob Brzezinski makes one big splash in his first free agency

Unlike in 2025, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t likely to be big spenders in free agency.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Going into free agency, the Minnesota Vikings were primed to be $46 million over the salary cap. They have gotten salary cap compliant over the previous few days by making or will be making a bevy of moves.

Heading into free agency, the Vikings will have around $13.7 million in effective cap space before they make a move to trade either Jonathan Greenard or re-sign right tackle Brian O’Neill. It’s not a massive budget to work with, but interim general manager Rob Brzezinski is a salary cap guru, and can maneuver well with a limited budget.

What will the Vikings end up doing? There are a lot of different ways they can go, and their decisions will likely be bargain-based. Here are out predictions for the Vikings in free agency.

Vikings attempt, but fail to make a big splash at running back

With the Vikings set to move on from Jones at running back, they need to address the position in a serious way. Jordan Mason is a really good asset for your running back room, but you don’t want him to be your number one. He’s not the explosive type of running back, but you want to pair him with an explosive back.

The Vikings know that’s what they need to do, and they will make a serious run at one of the top running backs in free agency. Reports will surface that they were serious about signing one of Travis Etienne Jr. or Kenneth Walker III, but they will come up short due to their salary cap situation. Making a serious play alone will do a lot for the fanbase, as they have been begging head coach Kevin O’Connell to take the running game more seriously.

Rob Brzezinski successfully trades for Anthony Richardson

We’ve known for a long time that head coach Kevin O’Connell has a strong affinity for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. It was evident during the 2023 NFL Draft when they tried to make a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Cardinals to select him at third overall. This is what I wrote about Richardson when ranking the top 10 quarterback additions the Vikings could make.

“This is a rather controversial option, let alone being first. Anthony Richardson was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, who are likely to trade him this offseason. The Vikings were active in trying to acquire Richardson, offering the Cardinals three first-round picks and more on draft day.

The reason why Richardson ranks highly on this list isn’t just because the Vikings loved him coming out, but also because he represents two things:

  • Incredible upside
  • Makes McCarthy earn everything

If he ends up coming to Minnesota, it increases the Vikings’ chances for a franchise quarterback, as he’s had similar issues to what McCarthy’s had: injuries, inconsistent accuracy, and slow processing. Having two players like that would be both frustrating and intriguing. It also wouldn’t give the Vikings the consistent backup they have been searching for, which creates it’s own issue.

All that said, Richardson has seemed destined to be a Vikings quarterback, and it could happen for a day three NFL Draft pick. Seeing a training camp battle between Richardson and McCarthy could be exactly what they need to maximize this season and beyond.”

The cost likely wouldn’t be much either, likely a day three pick or a pick swap. Plus, if he doesn’t work out, it’s a very limited investment for a player who could be a franchise-changing player.

Kyler Murray is signed to a one-year contract

We know that the Vikings will be adding at least one quarterback this offseason to push J.J. McCarthy. He hasn’t shown that he’s the future for the Vikings in the 10 games he’s played. The real question is going to be whether or not the quarterback they sign is a serious player or a stop-gap.

Murray isn’t the greatest fit for the Vikings, but O’Connell has already shown a willingness to adapt his scheme based on what he did last season for McCarthy. Murray is very short for the position at 5-10, but he is very mobile and has a strong arm. He can do things for KOC’s offense that he’s never had before. Will that manifest in wins? Only time will tell there.

Related Articles