Three changes to the Vikings’ salary ceiling that might allow them to sign several well-known free agents

The Minnesota Vikings, like most NFL teams, operate under a salary cap system, which imposes limits on how much money they can spend on player contracts each year. As they approach the 2025 offseason, the Vikings find themselves in a position where several changes could be made to their salary cap strategy in order to free up space to sign key free agents who could help elevate the team. With a solid foundation already in place and a few key areas of need, the Vikings could be on the cusp of making some strategic moves that could lead to a more successful 2025 campaign.

While the Vikings have built a competitive roster over the years, there are always areas of improvement, and acquiring top-tier free agents could make the difference between playoff contention and Super Bowl glory. To help secure such signings, the front office must first navigate the complexities of the salary cap. Here are three potential changes to the Vikings’ salary ceiling that could allow them to sign several well-known free agents in the 2025 offseason.

1. Restructuring Existing Contracts to Free Up Cap Space

One of the most common and effective ways that NFL teams free up cap space is by restructuring existing player contracts. A restructuring essentially involves converting a portion of a player’s base salary into a signing bonus, which can then be spread out over the length of the contract. This allows the team to lower a player’s salary cap hit for the current year while still honoring the total value of the contract.

The Vikings have several key players on their roster with substantial salaries, and restructuring their contracts could be the most immediate way to free up cap space. The team’s front office will likely look at contracts of veteran players who are important to the team’s success but who also have sizable cap hits. Here are some players whose contracts could be restructured to create room for potential free-agent signings:

Kirk Cousins – Quarterback

Kirk Cousins is currently the highest-paid player on the Vikings’ roster, and his contract is one that the team could look to restructure in order to free up significant cap space. Cousins’ salary for the 2025 season is slated to be around $35 million, which is a hefty price for any team. However, if the Vikings are convinced that Cousins is their quarterback of the future or are willing to extend him for additional years, they could restructure his deal by converting a portion of his salary into a signing bonus. This would lower his 2025 cap hit and provide the Vikings with additional space to pursue other players.

Given that Cousins is a leader on the field and integral to the team’s success, restructuring his contract could be a smart way to allow the Vikings to remain competitive without breaking the bank in the short term.

Dalvin Cook – Running Back

Dalvin Cook, the Vikings’ star running back, is another player whose contract could be restructured to free up cap space. Cook is due to earn around $12 million in 2025, and while he remains one of the league’s premier running backs, his contract is relatively high for the position. By restructuring Cook’s deal, the Vikings could reduce his cap hit for the year while keeping him on the roster for another season.

Restructuring Cook’s contract would give the Vikings the financial flexibility to add talent at other positions of need, such as on the offensive line or in the secondary, all while keeping one of their top playmakers in the fold.

Harrison Smith – Safety

Harrison Smith is a veteran leader in the Vikings’ defense, but his contract is one that could be reworked to create cap space. Smith’s 2025 salary is projected to be over $10 million, which is considerable for a player entering the latter stages of his career. While Smith remains an important piece of the defense, the Vikings could look to reduce his cap hit by restructuring his deal. The restructuring could involve extending his contract for another year or two, spreading out his signing bonus, and reducing the cap hit in the short term.

This move would allow the Vikings to keep Smith on the roster while freeing up room to add other critical pieces for their Super Bowl push.

Summary of Restructuring Impact

By restructuring these contracts, the Vikings could potentially create $15 million or more in cap space, depending on the specifics of the negotiations. This would significantly increase the team’s ability to sign high-profile free agents in the 2025 offseason. Players such as DeAndre Hopkins (wide receiver), Javon Hargrave (defensive tackle), or Marcus Peters (cornerback) could be within reach if the Vikings play their cards right with restructuring.

2. Cutting or Trading High-Cost Veterans to Create Immediate Cap Space

Another way to create cap space is by parting ways with high-cost veterans who may no longer be providing the value they once did. The Vikings could make tough decisions about which players to move on from in order to free up additional funds for free-agent acquisitions. This move requires careful consideration, as cutting or trading veteran players can have significant implications on both the salary cap and the locker room culture.

Here are a few candidates who might be on the chopping block, as their contracts could be used to create additional cap space:

Eric Kendricks – Linebacker

Eric Kendricks, a long-time staple of the Vikings’ defense, is entering the final years of his contract. While he remains a productive player, his salary for 2025 is over $11 million. Cutting or trading Kendricks could save the Vikings a significant amount of cap space, though it would also leave a leadership void on the defensive side of the ball. If the Vikings decide to move on from Kendricks, they would need to look at free-agent linebackers or draft options to replace his experience and production.

Adam Thielen – Wide Receiver

Adam Thielen, a fan favorite and one of the most accomplished receivers in franchise history, could also be a candidate for a cut or trade. Thielen’s salary for 2025 is projected to be around $17 million, and while he has remained a reliable target for Kirk Cousins, his production has declined somewhat in recent seasons. The emergence of Justin Jefferson and the addition of younger receivers like KJ Osborn and Jalen Reagor may make Thielen’s salary harder to justify moving forward. Cutting or trading Thielen could free up significant cap space for the Vikings to pursue younger, more affordable options at wide receiver or bolster other areas of the roster.

Za’Darius Smith – Edge Rusher

Za’Darius Smith, one of the Vikings’ top pass rushers, has a hefty contract for 2025, with a cap hit north of $15 million. While Smith is a highly productive player, the Vikings might decide that his contract is no longer in line with his production or that they could replace him with a younger, cheaper option. Moving on from Smith could save the Vikings a significant amount of cap space and allow them to pursue other pass-rushing talents who might fit into their long-term plans.

Summary of Cuts/Trades Impact

By cutting or trading these high-cost veterans, the Vikings could clear up anywhere from $10 million to $30 million in cap space, depending on which moves they make. While these decisions come with risk, particularly when it comes to losing leadership and experience, they could provide the financial flexibility needed to sign several well-known free agents and bolster areas like the offensive line, secondary, and pass rush.

3. Expanding the Contract of a Core Player to Lower Immediate Cap Hits

One more method the Vikings could consider is extending a key player on their roster, which would spread out the player’s salary cap hit over a longer period and lower the immediate cap hit for the 2025 season. In this case, the team would offer a contract extension to a player they want to retain for the long term, like Justin Jefferson, Brian O’Neill, or Darrisaw.

Justin Jefferson – Wide Receiver

A potential extension of Justin Jefferson’s contract is one of the most obvious moves the Vikings could make to lower their cap hit in the short term. Jefferson, widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, is entering the final years of his rookie contract. Extending Jefferson’s deal could allow the Vikings to spread out his signing bonus over several years, lowering his cap hit for the 2025 season while securing his long-term future with the team.

Brian O’Neill – Offensive Tackle

Another potential candidate for an extension is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, who has been one of the Vikings’ most consistent and reliable players on the offensive line. By extending O’Neill’s contract, the Vikings could lower his immediate cap hit while locking up one of their top offensive linemen for years to come. An extension for O’Neill could save the Vikings a few million dollars in cap space, giving them additional flexibility to pursue free-agent talent.

Darrisaw – Offensive Tackle

Similarly, Christian Darrisaw, another young and highly talented offensive tackle, could be in line for a contract extension. As one of the bright young stars on the roster, extending Darrisaw’s contract would allow the Vikings to lower his cap hit for 2025 while locking in a cornerstone player for the future.

Summary of Contract Extension Impact

An extension for players like Jefferson, O’Neill, or Darrisaw could save the Vikings several million dollars in cap space for 2025. By lowering their immediate cap hit, the Vikings would be in a better position to add multiple free agents and strengthen critical areas of their roster. However, the trade-off is that these players would have larger cap hits in future seasons, but this is a risk the team could be willing to take to build a championship-contending roster.