After Sunday’s regular season conclusion between the Vikings and Lions, the next time Minnesota fans see some of their favorite players they might be wearing different uniforms or wearing a purple jacket for enshrinement in the Vikings Ring of Honor.
Kirk Cousins, Harrison Smith and Danielle Hunter are just three players who could be playing their final game in purple and gold on Sunday. The list doesn’t stop there and it includes a boatload of players who have served key roles on offense, defense and special teams. Let’s dive into it…
Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs
Yes, all three quarterbacks could be gone. Cousins and Dobbs are set to become unrestricted free agents in mid-March and even though Mullens has one year left on his contract it’ll only cost the Vikings about $375,000 to cut him. If Cousins doesn’t return, will the Vikings do whatever it takes to keep Mullens or Dobbs in the mix as a veteran familiar with the offense, or will they let Jaren Hall battle it out in training camp and the preseason with a rookie they take in April’s draft?
Danielle Hunter headlines trio of pass rushers
Sunday could be it for Hunter, who certainly will have a future in Minnesota’s Ring of Honor as a four-time Pro Bowl selection with 86.5 career sacks. If Hunter gets to free agency without signing a long-term extension, it might be hard for the Vikings to win a bidding war when they’re also likely to be trying to make Justin Jefferson the highest-paid wide receiver in league history.
Hunter isn’t the only pass rusher who could be gone. D.J. Wonnum, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn quad muscle, is also set to become an unrestricted free agent. And so is Marcus Davenport, whose one-year trial with Minnesota has been marred by injuries.
Jordan Hicks and two backup linebackers
Hicks’ contract expires after the season and the Vikings will have to decide if extending him entering his age-32 season is worth it. According to Pro Football Focus, Hicks’ defensive grade ranks 20th among all linebackers who have played at least 550 snaps this season.
Troy Dye, who got plenty of snaps when Hicks was on injured reserve with a shin injury, is also able to test free agency in mid-March. So too is Anthony Barr, whose role since returning to Minnesota has primarily been on the practice squad.
6 offensive linemen including Dalton Risner
The Vikings are in good shape at left tackle with Christian Darrisaw, center with Garrett Bradbury, right guard with Ed Ingram and right tackle with Brian O’Neill, but their starting left guard, Dalton Risner, and four backups are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
Risner has been a great addition after Minnesota traded Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars, though his PFF splits are stark; he ranks 15th among guards in pass blocking and 66th in run blocking for an overall rank of 49th.
Tackles Oli Udoh and David Quessenberry, center Austin Schlottmann and guard Chris Reed are also unrestricted free agents, while tackle/guard Blake Brandel is a restricted free agent.
K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell and Cam Akers
Osborn is going to get paid by someone and with Minnesota trying to put Jefferson down for what could be the biggest non-QB contract in the league, it won’t be a surprise if Osborn and Powell find new homes.
Akers, recovering from his second career torn Achilles, is also going to be an unrestricted free agent. He was solid in limited duty after Minnesota got him in a trade with the Rams, but there might not be a place for him next season with Ty Chandler and Alexander Mattison still under contract.
3 backup tight ends
With T.J. Hockenson potentially out until midseason 2024 because of torn ACL and MCL in his right knee the Vikings may want to bring back some of their backup tight ends on expiring contracts: Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse and Ben Ellefson.
4 more defensive linemen
Jonathan Bullard, T.J. Smith, James Lynch and Khyris Tonga are all on expiring deals, with Bullard and Lynch unrestricted and Tonga and Smith on restricted free agency status. Bullard is the biggest name since he’s played 599 snaps through 17 weeks, which ranks 11th most on the entire defense.
Harrison Smith and Theo Jackson
Jackson is a restricted free agent and considering he seems to be liked very much by Minnesota it won’t be a surprise if he returns, though it also won’t be a surprise if another team outbids the Vikings and gives Jackson a larger role. If he stays in Minnesota, he’s sure to remain behind 2024 potential starters Josh Metellus and Cam Bynum.
That leads to Harrison Smith, whose $19.2 million cap hit in 2024 might be too rich for Minnesota’s blood. The Vikings can save about $11.3 million against the cap if they cut him before June 1 and a whopping $15.3 million if they wait to cut him until after June 1.
Backup cornerback John Reid, who hasn’t played in a regular season game, is also a free agent.
Greg Joseph
Joseph is a perfect 15 for 15 on field goals inside of 40 yards this season, but going 2 of 5 on kicks from 40-49 yards and 4 of 7 on attempts from 50+ yards are cause for concern going into the future. At a $2 million price tag this season, Minnesota might be looking for a cheaper kicker to play for them in 2024.
