Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings make shocking release of popular defender as final roster cut deadline approaches

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 2:16 PM ET

Cutdown day is upon us for the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the NFL, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave us our first big surprise. Unless a trade can be reached, the Vikings will waive edge rusher Gabe Murphy.

The #Vikings plan to waive OLB Gabriel Murphy barring a trade before today's cutdown deadline, per source. Murphy had 1.5 sacks in the preseason.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2025

Minnesota Vikings plan to waive EDGE Gabe Murphy

This is a shocker for many reasons, but the biggest one is his performance. The Vikings gave Murphy $225k fully guaranteed as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. He was wowing everyone during training camp last year, but then suffered a knee injury that ended up costing him every preseason game. He was healthy by the end of October and played in just 35 snaps in two games.

This preseason, Murphy got off to a tremendous start. He racked up 1.5 sacks in the opener against the Houston Texans and looked like a dominant force on the edge. He had a solid game the next week against the New England Patriots, but that apparently wasn't enough.

Without Murphy, the Vikings' edge rusher depth consists of Tyler Batty, who was last known to have an MRI scheduled for a knee injury he suffered Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, Chaz Chambliss, Bo Richter, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who can kick out when needed.

Does Adofo-Mensah have something up his sleeve here? It seems like it because moving on from Murphy is a weird move.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: