The Minnesota Vikings don’t have a general manager. Still, the NFL wheels don’t stop turning, and the team will have to work through some big decisions in just a few weeks.
The all-important benchmark date of June 1 is rapidly approaching, and NFL teams will begin cutting, trading, and signing at a higher rate after the relatively quiet month of May. By making certain roster moves after June 1, teams can split the remaining dead money over two seasons instead of getting the full brunt of the penalty immediately.
In Minnesota’s case, by moving on from Jonathan Allen and Harrison Smith as post-June 1 designated cuts, they’ll get about $12.5 million more in cap space soon. Salary cap relief is on the way, and we can expect to see a lot more roster movement than we have over the last few weeks.
Whether Minnesota will have a permanent solution at general manager by June is a big question. At this point, it feels unlikely. The latest reports indicate that the search may extend into the first week or two of June, so the Vikings may be patient with any significant moves. But when they inevitably get involved, how will they handle their newfound financial freedom?
The first, and most likely scenario, is that Minnesota adds a veteran or two who were recently cut or were already available. After finally digging themselves out of salary cap purgatory, the Vikings won’t go on a reckless spending spree, but there could be some deals to find. Jadeveon Clowney or Von Miller are easy names to pull for pass-rushing depth, but what about a familiar friend who might become a free agent in the near future?
Edge rusher Patrick Jones II notched seven sacks in his final year with the Vikings before signing with the Carolina Panthers in free agency in 2025. He played just four games before requiring season-ending surgery and already finds himself potentially on the outside looking in. The Panthers paid big bucks for Jaelan Phillips earlier this year and could save $4.75 million by releasing Jones, making this beautiful family reunion a real possibility.
Jones would be an easy plug-and-play guy behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, thanks to his familiarity with the scheme. Still only 27 years old, Jones could represent a potential long-term option as Van Ginkel enters his age-31 season.
While less likely, a trade could be in play for the Vikings to fill out the roster. One option at edge could be New York Giants Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has long been rumored to be on his way out of the Big Apple. With Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and now Ohio State rookie Arvell Reese at outside linebacker, Thibodeaux is on an expiring rookie contract and looks to be the odd man out. If the Giants are open to a deal, the Vikings would be wise to make a call.
After a breakout year in 2023 where he racked up 11.5 sacks, injuries and mediocre play have left Thibodeaux at the forefront of possible trade talks. Could Brian Flores pick him up, paint over the ugly parts, and pair him with Turner for years to come? It’s enticing to say the least.
Minnesota could also call the New Orleans Saints about Viking-killer Alvin Kamara. Despite retaining Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason and adding Demond Claiborne in the draft, Minnesota’s running back room still could use some juice. Kamara, 30, is in the twilight of his career but still offers pass-catching abilities, and the Saints seem hesitant to keep him after adding Travis Etienne in free agency.
General manager Mickey Loomis admitted that a decision on their running back would come soon.
“We’re just trying to see how he’s going to fit on our roster,” Loomis said on Monday. “Obviously, there’s a resource management element to it. We’ll get to that over the next week or two.”
Rob Brzezinski, or current Los Angeles Rams assistant GM John McKay – wink wink, nudge nudge – will have some big decisions very soon, and it would be surprising if Minnesota didn’t address edge depth at the bare minimum. The center position has been a topic of discussion. Still, as scary as it is to say, there probably aren’t many options better than Blake Brandel out there. Heck, Garrett Bradbury might be a late-round pick away from being Minnesota’s starting center in 2026.
Safety could also be a target, depending on whether Harrison Smith retires, and also the development of rookie Jakobe Thomas. There’s a chance the Vikings leave the current room as is, opting for a rotation between Thomas, Joshua Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward.
Still, Minnesota is likely to add at least a few new toys in June, and boosting the backfield and the edges would be a good start.
