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Vikings' future looks incredibly bright thanks to a very healthy salary cap and roster outlook

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Jan 14, 2025 4:07 PM ET

The 2024 season saw the Minnesota Vikings massively overachieve. They were projected to win just 6.5 games by the sportsbooks and won 14 games to just four losses, but they lost their two games with the biggest stakes . In fact, they lost to just two teams and they did so back-to-back twice: Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.

It wasn't a great way to finish the year, but a 27-9 loss to the Rams is how it happened and it's time for the Vikings to turn the page.

Vikings roster outlook looks very healthy

We will be spending a lot of time throughout the upcoming months reflecting on what this season was and what it meant to the Vikings. For now, it's important to take a quick look ahead to what's in front of the franchise.

The future of the franchise is incredibly bright. Not only do they have multiple star players locked up at premium positions with wide receiver Justin Jefferson, right tackle Brian O'Neill, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, and edge rusher Dallas Turner. They have a great core set for the future and the next offseason could flip things considerably.

According to Over The Cap's projections, the Vikings have a projected $69,570,877 in salary cap space. They also have a ton of players entering free agency, including a whopping 45.4% of snaps entering free agency.

Most snaps entering unrestricted free agency:
1. MIN: 45.4%
2. WAS: 41.1%
3. MIA: 40.3%
4. LAC: 35.5%
5. NYJ: 34.9%
6. DAL: 32%
7. LV: 30.4%
8. KC: 31.2%

Fewest:
32. GB: 14.6%
31. NE: 14.7%
30. JAX: 15.1%
29. DEN: 15.5%
28. SEA: 17.7%
27. BUF: 19.2%
26. CLE: 19.9%
25. HOU: 20.7%
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) January 14, 2025

There are a lot of free agents that the Vikings would like back, including cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and safety Camryn Bynum. There will be a lot of conversations on what the Vikings should do in free agency, including on the offensive line, which head coach Kevin O'Connell talked about after Monday night's game.

The Vikings will need to do a great job in free agency once again, as the Vikings are projected to have just four selections in the upcoming NFL Draft. The first one is set to be 24th overall.

It's going to be a pivotal offseason for the Vikings, one that they will be in a great spot to make an impact.

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

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