Minnesota Vikings waste no time signing talented defender from rival league who could be the next Jalen Redmond
The Vikings signed defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings from the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, and he could be the next Jalen Redmond.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn’t wasting any time trying to find players to improve the roster heading into the 2026 season. The latest signing comes from north of the border, as 3 Down Nation’s John Hodge reports the Vikings have signed defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings to a reserve/futures contract.
Vikings sign All-CFL DL Jaylon Hutchings to reserve/futures contract
On Monday, the Vikings made multiple signings to the 90-man roster, focusing on the offensive side of the football, including three wide receivers and a tight end. Tuesday’s signing came from the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders.
Hutchings was a first-time starter in 2025 with the Stampeders, and thrived in the role. He played in 17 regular season games for the Stampeders, logging 39 tackles, one forced fumble, and 8.0 sacks. Hutchings is a penetrating pass rusher on the interior, and wreaks havoc consistently.
Hutchings was Pro Football Focus’ top player on defense in the CFL last year, and it’s easy to see why. He made Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List due to a 500 pound bench press and 700 pound squat. His athleticism also comes from playing running back in high school, which is where some of the quickness shows up.
He’s pretty similar profile-wise to another Vikings defensive tackle in Jalen Redmond: a gap-shooter with powerful hands who can knock offensive linemen on their butts. It’s also pretty similar in idea when you look at how they were acquired. Redmond was signed to be the 90th man on the roster in June of 2024 from the UFL’s Arlington Renegades. Hutchings is signed a little bit earlier than that, but it’s still a high-upside shot the Vikings are trading.
Last season, Adofo-Mensah signed offensive tackle Trevor Reid from the CFL, who was the Edmonton Elks’ Most Outstanding Rookie nominee in 2024. He didn’t make it to training camp and was released with an injury designation, but the idea of signing a high-upside player remains.
If Hutchings comes in and balls out, the Vikings might have found another diamond in the rough.
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