This offseason, I took control of the Minnesota Vikings in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a focus on creating cap flexibility, adding defensive help, and building a deeper roster through the draft.

Here’s how the offseason played out.

The Big Picture

• Starting Cap Space: -$1.4M
• Final Cap Space: $33.9M

• Players Cut: 2
• Contracts Restructured: 3
• Extensions: 1
• Trades Made: 4
• Free Agents Signed: 7
• Draft Picks: 13

• Overall Grade: A

Minnesota completely reshaped the roster while turning a negative cap situation into over $30M in available space.

Cuts

Aaron Jones
Cap Savings: +$9.9M

Jonathan Allen
Cap Savings: +$17.6M

Moving on from both veterans created major financial flexibility for the rest of the offseason.

Restructures

Three contracts were reworked to open up cap space.

• Will Fries (+$7.6M)
• Josh Oliver (+$3.3M)
• Josh Metellus (+$1.6M)

These restructures helped stabilize the cap while keeping key contributors on the roster.

Extension

DJ Turner II

Minnesota extended Turner to secure a young defensive contributor moving forward.

Trades

The Vikings were extremely active in the trade market, moving multiple players for draft capital.

Sent 2026 Pick #82 to CIN
Received DJ Turner II

Sent Jonathan Greenard to NE
Received 2026 Pick #31, Pick #63, Pick #95

Sent T.J. Hockenson to KC
Received 2026 Pick #74, Pick #109

Sent Javon Hargrave to CHI
Received 2026 Pick #129

These trades helped Minnesota build a massive draft class.

Free Agency

Minnesota added multiple starters through free agency.

David Njoku — TE
2yr / $7.4M APY

Kenneth Gainwell — RB
1yr / $3.3M APY

Aaron Rodgers — QB
1yr / $3.8M APY

Tyler Linderbaum — IOL
2yr / $15.5M APY

John Franklin-Myers — IDL
1yr / $12.1M APY

Eric Wilson — LB
2yr / $5.6M APY

Boye Mafe — EDGE
1yr / $9.4M APY

These additions helped reinforce both the offensive line and the defensive front.

Draft Class

Minnesota used their expanded draft capital to bring in a large 13-player class.

Round 1 — Pick 18
Peter Woods (DL3T, Clemson)

Round 1 — Pick 31
Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)

Round 2 — Pick 49
Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee)

Round 2 — Pick 63
Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)

Round 3 — Pick 74
Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)

Round 3 — Pick 95
Keylan Rutledge (OG, Georgia Tech)

Round 3 — Pick 97
Deontae Lawson (ILB, Alabama)

Round 4 — Pick 109
Daylen Everette (CB, Georgia)

Round 4 — Pick 134
Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)

Round 5 — Pick 155
Caden Curry (EDGE, Ohio State)

Round 5 — Pick 175
Markel Bell (OT, Miami)

Round 6 — Pick 196
Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)

Round 7 — Pick 239
Tyler Onyedim (DL5T, Texas A&M)

Final Take

The Vikings turned a difficult cap situation into a major roster overhaul. Strategic cuts, multiple trades, key free-agent additions, and a massive draft class helped Minnesota completely reshape the roster.

Run Your Own NFL Offseason

I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.

Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/