Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has earned praise for his masterful navigation of the NFL’s tricky salary cap since taking the helm in 2022. Over the past three years, he’s juggled high salaries for aging stars from the previous regime while leading the team to the playoffs in two of those seasons. In 2025, Adofo-Mensah finally had cap space to work with, and he didn’t disappoint, making splashy moves to bolster the roster. However, a looming $51.1 million cap deficit in 2026 threatens to force a fire sale next offseason, putting the Vikings’ future in a precarious position.
A Stellar Offseason for Minnesota
This offseason, Adofo-Mensah capitalized on newfound financial flexibility to reshape the Vikings’ roster. The team signed two starting interior offensive linemen, center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries, both formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. They also added running back and locker room leader Aaron Jones, extended star cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. with a long-term deal, and fortified the defensive front with linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, both expected to start. Additionally, Adofo-Mensah locked up Pro Bowl edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who had a career year in 2024, with a contract extension.
On the quarterback front, the Vikings parted ways with Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, both of whom received lucrative offers from other teams that Minnesota couldn’t match. This paved the way for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, to take the reins. If McCarthy pans out, his rookie contract could provide a massive financial advantage at the league’s most expensive position over the next three years.
The $51.1 Million Cap Nightmare
Despite the optimism surrounding McCarthy and the team’s offseason haul, a dark cloud looms over Minnesota’s financial future. According to Spotrac, the Vikings are currently $51.1 million over the projected 2026 salary cap, the worst cap situation in the NFL. This dire outlook was discussed by Judd Zulgad and Phil Mackey on the June 20, 2025, episode of Skor NORTH’s podcast.
Mackey highlighted the possibility of rolling over unused cap space from 2025 to help alleviate the 2026 deficit. “You can roll over cap space. I don’t know exactly if you can roll over all of it or some of it, but you can roll over unused cap space, which they are probably going to need because — as of right now — no team is further over the cap in 2026 than the Minnesota Vikings,” he said.
Zulgad added that fans should brace for significant roster changes next March, predicting, “A lot of deals to be reworked, or a lot of guys to just be let go, too.”
What’s Next for the Vikings This Summer?
With training camp approaching and roughly $18 million in cap space still available for 2025, the Vikings could make additional moves. The most pressing need appears to be at quarterback, where Sam Howell is currently slated as McCarthy’s backup (QB2). Zulgad emphasized that Howell’s performance in training camp will be critical. “If Sam Howell craps out in training camp, I don’t know that they’re going to just sort of hold their breath and hope that J.J. does not get hurt,” he said.
Beyond quarterback, Zulgad and Mackey noted that the cornerback position could also see action, depending on how the depth chart shakes out in camp. Adding a second or third cornerback to complement Murphy might be on the table if the need arises.
A High-Stakes Balancing Act
Adofo-Mensah’s aggressive offseason has positioned the Vikings for a potential run in 2025, but the $51.1 million cap deficit in 2026 casts a long shadow. Rolling over cap space, restructuring contracts, or releasing key players may be necessary to avoid a roster gutting next year. For now, the focus shifts to training camp, where decisions on Howell and the secondary could shape the team’s immediate future.
As the clock ticks toward the 2025 season, the Vikings face a high-stakes balancing act: maximize their current roster while preparing for the financial reckoning ahead. Will they make a move to shore up the quarterback room or secondary, or will they conserve cap space to soften the 2026 blow? One thing is certain — Adofo-Mensah’s next steps will be closely watched.