Minnesota Vikings interim GM Rob Brzezinski is getting active in trade discussions with an explosive piece of Brian Flores’ defense

Rob Brzezinski isn’t messing around.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave (97) reacts against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski isn’t taking the salary cap situation lightly, as he is looking at every and all options. One of those is trades, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Vikings have had trade discussions with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

With the Vikings having real issues with the salary cap at a projected $43 million over, exploring all options is the smart move. Whether or not they will be able to make any trades is another story.

Minnesota Vikings having trade discussions surrounding Javon Hargrave

The Vikings being over the salary cap in the way that they are is a tough position, but they have easy ways to get under the cap. One of the players they are expected to move on from is Hargrave, whom they signed last offseason to a two-year, $30 million deal to be a penetrating pass rusher. He was a solid enough player, but only earned 3.5 sacks and 31 pressures on 537 total snaps.

After Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, he played just 11 snaps against the Cincinnati Bengals and saw his role mostly diminished throughout the season. Some of that was due to the emergence of Jalen Redmond, but mainly due to his poor run defense.

Trading Hargrave would be a massive win for the Vikings with their salary cap situation. Right now, he is currently has a salary cap hit of $21,453,382, or 6.8 percent of the cap. Cutting Hargrave will save around $11 million, but trading him will bring that up to $15 million, since he has $4 million guaranteed for the 2026 season. The only way to get the Vikings off the hook for that money is to trade him.

Having discussions doesn’t mean that the Vikings will end up making a trade, but it is a step in the right direction.

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