Former Viking Heads Back to CFL

Defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings worked for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, spending three and a half months with the club until a pre-draft release. Now, he’s heading back to the CFL.

Some fans hoped he could become “the next Jalen Redmond,” but that theory will have to wait. It’s back to the Calgary Stampeders for Hutchings.

Hutchings Returns to Calgary after Brief Vikings Stay

Jaylon Hutchings stands with Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire and Debbie McGuire before a game. — Texas Tech defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings shares a moment with head coach Joey McGuire and Debbie McGuire before a matchup against UCF at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. The senior lineman was one of the Red Raiders’ most dependable defenders during the 2023 campaign. Nov. 18, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports.

Hutchings to Stampeders

Hutchings has a 2026 employer, as Calgary Herald‘s Todd Saelhof wrote Sunday, “The Calgary Stampeders have brought back a familiar face to help them get to a 2026 Grey Cup celebration at McMahon Stadium. And it’s a very big deal for the defence. That’s Jaylon Hutchings, the defensive lineman who became an all-CFL star last year.”

“The team re-signed the 26-year-old top-shelf defender to a three-year contract Sunday afternoon. The 6-foot, 300-lb. lineman from Forney, Texas, is now under contract through the 2028 season. Hutchings made the move to try to break into the NFL in the off-season, but injury kept him from catching on in the four-down professional football ranks.”

The Vikings originally signed Huthcings in January but evidently knew it was about to onboard two rookie defensive tackles in the draft: Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.

“I’m excited to be back in the Red and White. I’m looking forward to being a part of bringing a Grey Cup back to Calgary,” Hutchins said about the new contract.

Career Biography

Hutchings’ unexpectedly productive CFL season in 2025 quickly prompted Vikings fans to draw comparisons to Redmond. His professional journey includes:

Chicago Bears (2024)
Calgary Stampeders (2024–2025)
Minnesota Vikings (2026)
Calgary Stampeders (2026)

His stellar performance, highlighted by 8 sacks for the Stampeders in 2025, was instrumental in his return to the NFL radar, ultimately securing him a short-lived contract with the Vikings.

Jaylon Hutchings wears a Texas Bowl Champions hat after Texas Tech defeated Ole Miss. — Texas Tech defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings poses with a Texas Bowl Champions hat after helping the Red Raiders defeat Ole Miss at NRG Stadium in Houston. The victory capped a successful season for Hutchings, who later pursued professional football opportunities after college. Dec. 28, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Annie Rice-USA TODAY NETWORK.

BGM Sports Trax‘s Michael Heilman added, “The Chicago Bears signed Hutchings as an undrafted free agent on August 11, 2024. He played two preseason games with three tackles (1 solo, 2 assists). The Bears released him on August 26, 2024. The Calgary Stampeders signed Hutchings on October 5, 2024. In 2024, he made two tackles in two games.”

“Collegiately, Hutchings played six seasons at Texas Tech (2018-23) with 184 tackles (105 solos, 79 assists), 22.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 60 games for the Red Raiders. In 2023, he made 44 tackles (22 solos, 22 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 11 games.”

Vikings DT Group Too Full

Low on Minnesota’s defensive line depth chart, Hutchings would have needed a huge summer just to contend for a September practice squad spot. With that opportunity now closed, Hutchings is off to the CFL, hoping it will be a stepping stone back to the NFL.

Here’s who the Vikings have at defensive tackle without Hutchings:

Jalen Redmond
Caleb Banks
Domonique Orange
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Isiahh Loudermilk
Eric Johnson
Taki Taimani
Smith Vilbert
Elijah Williams
Monkell Goodwine

It’s worth noting that Banks, Orange, Loudermilk, Johnson, and Vilbert have been added within the last six weeks, so Minnesota isn’t dinking around at DT. After cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, two veterans who produced at a mid-tier level in 2025, the club got serious about the youth movement.

A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness noted on the Hutchings contract, “My hope was the Vikings would end up bringing him back. Hutchings was an All-CFL player and the Most Outstanding Defender in the 2025 season. With his frame and playstyle being a good comparison for Redmond, it looked like a great fit for Brian Flores’ defense.”

“Being that he signed a three-year deal with the Stampeders, it’s highly unlikely that Hutchings will be coming back to the NFL any time soon. It’s a tough break for the Vikings, but Hutchings is primed to be a standout in the CFL starting this week.”

CFL Season Right around the Bend

The CFL kicks off on Thursday, June 4th, with the Montreal Alouettes taking on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hutchings’s Stampeders host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night.

Jaylon Hutchings celebrates after scoring a touchdown for Texas Tech against Oklahoma. — Texas Tech defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Oklahoma during the Red Raiders’ final Big 12 home game of the season. Hutchings delivered one of the most memorable moments of his college career in front of the home crowd. Nov. 26, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Annie Rice-USA TODAY NETWORK.

The Stampeders are near the bottom of the league in terms of winning the championship — the Grey Cup. These are the live 2026 CFL Grey Cup winner probabilities:

Montreal Alouettes: +260
Saskatchewan Roughriders: +400
BC Lions: +500
Toronto Argonauts: +550
Calgary Stampeders: +750
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: +950
Hamilton Tiger-Cats: +1100

Hutchings will turn 27 on New Year’s Eve.