Multiple Vikings veterans could be entering their final season in Minnesota, creating major roster holes in the process
With new general manager Nolan Teasley with the Minnesota Vikings, there will likely be multiple roster changes on the horizon.
The Minnesota Vikings face significant roster decisions over the next 12 months. With training camp approaching and the roster bubble conversation focusing mainly on fringe players, there are starters and high-impact veterans who could be spending their last season in Minnesota. When you look at the roster loaded with impactful veterans, the Vikings won’t be able to continue affording everyone while also wanting to improve the roster. These three could be entering their final season.
T.J. Hockenson’s production hasn’t returned after knee injury
Tight end T.J. Hockenson has been a productive player for the Vikings since they traded for him at the 2022 trade deadline. His 2023 season was very productive before he tore his ACL on the infamous Kerby Joseph hit on Christmas Eve. Due to damage suffered to the MCL, Hockenson required a month-long wait before having surgery. That wait prevented his return until Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars the following year. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been the same player since.
After a down statistical year in 2025, the Vikings asked Hockenson to take a pay cut this offseason, and he accepted. His cap number dropped to $15.605 million from nearly $21 million, but the Vikings had to concede in return, which voided out the final year of his contract, making him a free agent. Hockenson will make $7 million in base salary with a $3.15 million roster bonus, and the Vikings will carry $7.11 million in dead money in 2027. If they chose to extend him, it would push $1.755 million of that dead money into 2028. However, the question remains whether Hockenson is worth the investment after failing to regain his pre-injury form.
One of the reasons why they chose the pay cut route is the lack of talent on the free agent market. Finding a replacement for $10 million isn’t realistic, especially with Brenton Strange and Kyle Pitts getting massive deals. That caliber of tight end simply doesn’t exist in free agency, which is why the Vikings traded for Hockenson in the first place. It stinks that Hockenson hasn’t been able to get back to his 2023 level of production, and while some of it isn’t his fault, it’s still frustrating that we are in this position so quickly after the Vikings traded for him.
Andrew Van Ginkel’s age and contract create a difficult equation
Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel has been one of the best players on Brian Flores’ defense since he joined the team in 2024. However, he is entering his age-31 season with a cap hit of $19.25 million. Van Ginkel’s essentially on a 3-year, $43 million contract, and the question of whether or not the Vikings want to extend a player getting into his 30s at edge rusher. He carries $8.8 million in dead money next year when the contract voids, but $5.4 million of that is eligible to be pushed out through an extension.
Van Ginkel couldn’t stay healthy last season, but when he was on the field, his impact was significant. The real issue is what happens if he asks for too much money. Dallas Turner occupies the other edge spot and will need to get paid eventually, so how much are the Vikings willing to allocate to Van Ginkel? The other aspect that matters here is the lack of depth on the roster. If they let him go, what is the plan?
The role Van Ginkel plays is unique. Kyle Van Noy is the only comparable player to him; he signed a big contract with the Miami Dolphins when Flores was the head coach, but otherwise has played on mid-tier, short-term deals throughout his career. That type of versatile edge role isn’t valued the same way in other defensive systems as it is in Flores’ scheme, which raises other questions. Van Ginkel may not have a large market elsewhere, which could be a good thing for the Vikings. If they can’t get a deal done at a discounted rate, Van Ginkel could be on his way out.
Blake Cashman’s replacement plan is already in place
When healthy, Blake Cashman has been the linchpin of Flores’ defense. The on-field/off-field splits during his first year in 2024 were dramatic, and last season Minnesota was significantly better with him on the field once he returned from his hamstring injury. His ability to blitz, rush the passer, play in coverage, and stop the run makes him extremely valuable. However, the selection of Jake Golday signals the likely end, as he projects as the next iteration of Cashman. The Vikings can find depth off-ball linebackers who provide a similar skill set at a fraction of the cost.
Cashman is on the final year of a 3-year, $22.5 million deal, with a cap hit of $9.182 million. He’ll have $3.1 million dead next year, with $1.55 million eligible to be pushed back through an extension, but I don’t see that happening with the extension Eric Wilson just got in March.
