The Vikings Have Shaken Up Everything

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah observed pregame warmups before the matchup against the New England Patriots on Nov 24, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings general manager, in his first season with the organization, looked on from the sideline as the home crowd filled in for the primetime contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings Had Cap Space — and Spent It

Heading into the 2025 season, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had one big chance to spend big based on the way he finagled the budget since arriving on the scene in 2022. In four offseasons, the young executive offloaded nearly every expensive and aging veteran (except Harrison Smith), while retaining the team’s youthful core: Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw.

His team ranked near the top of the NFL in available 2025 cap space, prompting Adofo-Mensah to unload.

All told, Adofo-Mensah welcomed these players:

Jonathan Allen (DT)

Will Fries (G)

Kahlef Hailassie (CB)

Javon Hargrave (DT)

Ryan Kelly (C)

Rondale Moore (WR, injured for all of 2025)

Jeff Okudah (CB)

Isaiah Rodgers (CB)

Justin Skule (OT)

Tavierre Thomas (CB)

Eric Wilson (LB)

3 New Quarterbacks

Last year, Minnesota employed these four men at quarterback: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien, and Daniel Jones.

None of those men works for the Vikings anymore. Zero. Darnold left in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks. Mullens chose the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones is the new QB1 in Indianapolis, and Rypien was just released after summer roster cuts.

J.J. McCarthy dropped back during a passing rep on Jun 10, 2025, at the Minnesota training facility in Minneapolis. The rookie quarterback, wearing number 9, participated in drills at minicamp as coaches evaluated mechanics and roster development ahead of the team’s 2025 preseason schedule. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

To replace those men, Minnesota nominated McCarthy as the QB1, signed Carson Wentz, and somehow found an undrafted rookie gem in Max Brosmer.

Four jettisoned passers. Three newcomers.

3 New Defensive Tackles

What’s more, Vikings fans have pleaded with the franchise for over a decade to sign or draft impactful defensive tackles. Instead, the organization would always settle on a mid-tier solution, usually signing a player like Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, Jonathan Bullard, or Jerry Tillery. In the regular season, those players would play okay, and the cycle would start over again — fans asking for somebody better.

The team listened this time.

Adofo-Mensah signed veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a pair with four Pro Bowls between them. Minnesota also used Round 5 of the NFL Draft to pick Georgia’s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who flashed at times in the preseason.

Javon Hargrave took the field late in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings on Sep 17, 2017, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle, wearing number 79, remained active in the defensive front as his team closed out the regular-season victory over Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.

Think of the DT strategy this way: In with Allen and Hargrave, out with Bullard and Tillery.

3 New Offensive Linemen

Perhaps the main event for change, the Vikings finally put their foot down after a playoff spanking by the Los Angeles Rams.

When the offseason arrived, Garrett Bradbury, Blake Brandel, and En Ingram were on tap for more interior offensive line duty in 2025. That threesome has since been kicked to the curb, or in Brandel’s case, demoted.

The Vikings will feature two prominent free-agent newcomers with center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries. And at left guard, Adofo-Mensah drafted Ohio State left guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1.

Gone are Bradbury, Brandel (on the bench), and Ingram. Starting are Kelly, Fries, and Jackson.

More on the OffseasonNFL.com‘s

NFL.com‘s Kevin Patra took a swing at describing the Vikings’ offseason before training camp. He wrote, “It’s all about J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota. The second-year quarterback will be under the microscope as he takes over an offense that rejuvenated Sam Darnold’s career last season.”

“The Vikings decided not to buffer McCarthy with a veteran backup after Daniel Jones opted to sign with Indianapolis. Apologies to the Sam Howell stans, but he’s not a threat to McCarthy. The former first-round pick inherited the Porsche of offenses, which has made almost every driver look good.”

Minnesota later replaced Howell with Carson Wentz and shipped Howell to Philadelphia.

KevinO’Connelll stood on the sideline in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Minnesota Vikings head coach focused on game action during the late-season matchup as his team competed in a pivotal NFC contest. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

Patra added, “Kevin O’Connell is a proven QB whisperer, so the assumption is that McCarthy should have little trouble keeping things afloat. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and a remade offensive line, the Vikes offer weapons to aid the young signal-caller.”

“Minnesota is a 14-win club that, on paper, improved entering 2025. The loudest question is McCarthy and whether he can keep the engine humming after missing all of 2024. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that McCarthy is the pendulum that could swing the course of the entire NFC North.”

If you’re keeping track at home, it’s a new starting quarterback, two new backup passers, six new big men — starters on the OL and DL — and two new cornerbacks, Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah.