The Vikings Could Lose These Players in the 2027 Offseason

Close your eyes for a few minutes because the upcoming list of Minnesota Vikings free agents in the 2027 offseason is gruesome. The club has an unusually high number of impactful players at a crossroads next March. The Vikings better hope to make a dent in the postseason this go-around because the outlook beyond could be bleak.

These are the players slated to test free agency when 2026 wraps up.

Minnesota’s Next Contract Wave Will Change the Roster

T.J. Hockenson celebrates a touchdown during the Vikings' game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings free agents — Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson celebrates after reaching the end zone during a Thanksgiving matchup against the New England Patriots. The play occurred on November 24, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Hockenson helped power Minnesota’s offense in a high-scoring contest that became one of the season’s most entertaining games. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Free Agents

The Vikings have oodles of “less important” free agents like running back Zavier Scott and tight end Bryson Nesbit (just examples), but those men are restricted free agents and can be easily re-signed.

These men are scheduled for unrestricted free agency:

Blake Brandel (C)
T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Aaron Jones (RB)
Jordan Mason (RB)
Kyler Murray (QB)
Brian O’Neill (RT)
Ryan Van Demark (OT)
Carson Wentz (QB)

There’s a world where the Vikings are forced to replace half of the offensive starting lineup if one assumes that everyone left, which won’t happen. Still, the list is daunting. Minnesota will have a meaty decision at QB1, RB1, RT1, C1, TE1, and RB1.

Murray will obviously headline all 2027 offseason activities. If he plays well in 2026 — there is no reason to believe that he will not — Murray will be eligible for an extension between $40 million and $55 million per season. That contract would rock the Vikings’ salary cap, but it might be a champagne problem if Murray is worth it.

The weaponry is the other head-turner: Minnesota may need to replace Hockenson, Jennings, Jones, and Mason — a huge undertaking in a single offseason.

And SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on O’Neill in March: “O’Neill has always made sense as an extension candidate. The 2018 second-round pick — who will become the Vikings’ longest-tenured player if Harrison Smith joins C.J. Ham in retirement — has been a model of consistency for close to a decade now.”

“He’s played in 124 of a possible 133 regular season games in his eight-year career, has made two Pro Bowls, and hasn’t earned a PFF grade below 70 since his rookie season. O’Neill turns 31 in September and appears to have plenty of good football out in front of him. An extension this offseason could free up $14 million in cap space for the Vikings, according to Over The Cap. Frankly, it’s a little surprising that hasn’t happened just yet.”

Defensive Free Agents

On defense, the noteworthy 2027 free agents:

Blake Cashman (LB)
Theo Jackson (S)
Isaiahh Loudermilk (DL)
Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)
Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Andrew Van Ginkel (ED)
Jay Ward (S)

Cashman, Rodgers, Van Ginkel, and Ward/Jackson are on tap to start in September. That’s 36% of the starting lineup. Harrison Smith could factor here, too, as he’ll make a return-or-retirement decision before too long.

Van Ginkel, who turns 31 this year, will be a priority to re-sign for a year or two, especially with Jonathan Greenard no longer on the team. Rodgers’s impending free agency is important as well, as the Vikings will need a starting cornerback if he departs.

Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, and Jonathan Greenard talk during Vikings training camp in Eagan. Vikings free agents — Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, and Jonathan Greenard gather during training camp as the defense prepares for the upcoming season. The discussion took place on July 29, 2025, at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Eagan, where the veteran pass rushers and young talent worked through summer practices. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick on Pace Jr.: “Pace will likely spend a bunch of time on special teams again in 2026. He’ll also probably be called upon to start at some point next season if Wilson or Blake Cashman are unable to play due to injury.”

“Will Pace use his 2025 season as motivation to prove people wrong in 2026 when he gets back on the field, or will it be more of the same from a guy who hasn’t ever been able to duplicate the unexpected success he had as a rookie with the Vikings?”

The safety room could undergo a full overhaul next offseason: Smith, Jackson, and Ward are not guaranteed to be on the team in 2027. It’s why many believed Minnesota would draft Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in April.

Special Teams

Finally, special teams:

Andrew DePaola (LS)
Johnny Hekker (P)

DePaloa is the oldest player on the Vikings’ roster (38), and any year may be his last. Minnesota signed Hekker to replace Ryan Wright, who joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency, but that was before it landed Georgia’s Brett Thorson in undrafted free agency.