Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Are The Vikings Set At Defensive Tackle?
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As I was preparing this, the Wentz signing popped. This is very interesting and curious to say the least. Is it a precursor to a trade of JJ? I don’t think so but I would not be surprised.
Yore AI question …
why does Brian Flores not utilize true run stuffing defensive tackle like a nose tackle? who was the last player he had on one of his teams that fit this description?
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Brian Flores generally avoids using “true” run-stuffing nose tackles (0-technique space-eaters) because his defensive philosophy prioritizes positionless versatility, explosive movement, and aggressive blitzing over static line play.
Why Flores Eschews Traditional Nose Tackles
- One-Gap Aggression: While many 3-4 fronts use a nose tackle to “two-gap” (occupy two blockers to free up linebackers), Flores prefers a one-gap system. This allows his defensive linemen to attack downhill immediately, creating disruption in the backfield rather than just holding ground.
- Chaos and Disguise: Flores builds his defense on “chaotic” pre-snap looks. A massive, 330+ lb nose tackle is often a “tell” for an offense; by using lighter, more agile interior defenders (or even safeties like Harrison Smith slanting into the A-gap), he keeps the offense guessing about who is rushing and who is dropping.
- “Tite” Fronts: He frequently utilizes “Tite” fronts where defensive linemen align in 4i techniques (inside shoulder of the offensive tackle). This naturally plugs the B-gaps and forces runs outside, where his fast linebackers and safeties can make plays, reducing the need for a central “anchor”.
- Personnel over Tradition: Flores has stated he does not see players by their traditional labels (e.g., “D-lineman” vs. “linebacker”) but by their ability to fill specific “spots on the field”.
The Last Player to Fit the Description
Prior to the Vikings trading him to the New York Jets in August 2025, Harrison Phillips was indeed the most recent and prominent “true run-stuffer” under Flores. Before Phillips, Davon Godchaux (Miami Dolphins, 2019–2020) was the primary example.
Harrison Phillips: Phillips was a key starter for the Vikings, recording a massive 92 tackles in 2023 while often playing over the center as what he called the “fire hydrant at the dog show”. Despite his effectiveness as a run-stuffer, the Vikings traded him to the New York Jets in August 2025 to transition toward a more “disruptive” interior featuring Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.
Why Flores Ultimately Moved On
The trade of Phillips to the Jets highlights why Flores rarely keeps this type of player long-term:
- Shift to “Pure” Penetration: By 2025, the Vikings prioritized a move toward a more disruptive, “pass-rush first” interior with players like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.
- Trade-Off for Mobility: Flores’s scheme increasingly relies on “simulated pressures” and versatile blitzing where even safeties occasionally line up at the nose. A massive, stationary tackle like Phillips can be a “tell” for an offense, whereas smaller, faster linemen allow for more pre-snap disguise.
- Youth and Financials: Trading Phillips saved the Vikings approximately $7.5 million in 2026 cap space and allowed younger, cheaper players like Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez to step into a faster-paced rotation.
The team is looking to go with the youth movement. Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Elijah Williams, Taki Taimani, and Jaylon Hutchings. The draft does have some interesting prospects at the top but they all have issues.
Caleb Banks: Serious Medical Red Flags
- Recurring Injury: Banks underwent surgery on March 9, 2026, to repair a fractured fourth metatarsal in his foot. This is the same foot that limited him to just three games during his 2025 season at Florida.
- Combine Setback: He originally suffered the new fracture the night before his on-field testing in Indianapolis but completed several drills (recording a 9-foot-6 broad jump) before the full extent of the injury was discovered.
- Draft Impact: While his 6’6″, 327-pound frame and rare athleticism are elite, the “recurring” nature of the injury has caused some analysts to drop his stock into Day 2.
Peter Woods: Physical Limitations
- Arm Length: Woods officially measured with 31 ¼-inch arms. In NFL terms, this is considered “very poor” (4th percentile) for a defensive tackle.
- On-Field Impact: Scouts note that these shorter arms allow offensive blockers to “crowd his frame,” making it difficult for him to shed blocks or maintain an anchor against elite double-teams.
- Scheme Fit: Despite the length issues, he is compared to Javon Hargrave due to his explosive lower-body power and “active brawler” style, which fits a one-gap, pocket-collapsing system.
Kayden McDonald: Traditional “Stout” Profile
- Play Style: McDonald is a 326-pound “trench warrior” primarily utilized as a stout run-stopper. He led the country in run-stop win rate (7.8%) last season.
- Pass Rush Concerns: His pass-rush repertoire is considered “limited” or “underdeveloped,” often stalling if his initial power move doesn’t win immediately.
- Flores Conflict: While he has the “brute force” to be a two-gap nose tackle, Flores has recently moved away from this profile, as seen in the trade of Harrison Phillips.
I think we could be looking at a player selected later in the draft and not early at all.
But all is not lost!
Minnesota Vikings News and LinksKyler aside, why have Vikings been so quiet in free agency?
What are the Minnesota Vikings doing?
Are they bargain-hunting after two years of spending wildly in free agency? Does their relatively quiet offseason represent a course correction helmed by a loyal longtime employee?
Or are the Vikings pushing for a playoff berth, as they have always done under the Wilf family ownership, even when an aggressive teardown might make more sense? Do they really think that quarterback Kyler Murray, signed as a free agent for $1.3 million, can elevate the team enough to get them there?
To all of those asymmetrical possibilities, the objective answer is “yes” — no matter how unsatisfying that answer might be.
During the first week of free agency, when almost all of the costly contracts are signed, the Vikings committed the NFL’s third-lowest amount of cash, according to Over the Cap. Their biggest deal was to retain linebacker Eric Wilson, who will be paid a total of $8.25 million in 2026; three of their other five transactions were for special teams players.
They’ve parted ways with four starters, although they have not given up hope that safety Harrison Smith will return to play for another season, and convinced another two — running back Aaron Jones Sr. and tight end T.J. Hockenson — to take pay cuts. They have also entertained the idea of trading linebacker Jonathan Greenard rather than give him a raise.
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After talking to sources inside and outside the organization, the best way to think of the Vikings’ current approach is an aggressive right-sizing of their roster finances. The Wilfs did not order a lower cash payroll this season, multiple sources confirmed. The NFL is not structured for teams to have indefinite annual spending at the rate the Vikings have in recent years, and essentially the Vikings decided that 2026 was the time to eat their vegetables.
“We had a plan that we devised together,” Brzezinski said, “and I’m just really proud of the way everybody worked together, identifying some targets that we were able to reach agreements with. There’s others we weren’t, but I think I’m really most proud of the patience. … Really grateful also for [Hockenson and Jones] reworking their contracts to find a middle ground. These were two players and two people that are really important to our football team and to [coach Kevin O’Connell] in our locker room.
“So I feel like we’ve navigated responsibly the future versus being competitive this year. And I feel like we’re in a really good spot, but like we keep saying, there’s a long way to go.”
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At the moment, the Vikings have roughly $260 million in cash commitments for 2026. Over the Cap calculates their cash-to-cap ratio at 0.85, the third lowest in the league, but projects them to be roughly $67 million under the cap in 2027.
Brzezinski said last month that he envisioned the Vikings as a franchise that looks to “draft and develop and to retain our core, and supplement in free agency.” That served as a reminder that teams don’t just use cap space on free agency, but also — and often more importantly — on signing their existing players to contract extensions. Right tackle Brian O’Neill and receiver Jordan Addison are among the upcoming deals the Vikings have budgeted for. It’s also worth noting that Brzezinski described the Vikings’ 2026 roster build as being “barely out of the gate here,” implying there are other ways than free agency to make substantive roster improvements.
So it’s wrong to say the Vikings are looking for ways to save the Wilfs money, but they also haven’t taken every step imaginable to optimize their 2026 team. Adofo-Mensah once called that approach a “competitive rebuild,” a phrase he later regretted using but retains a level of accuracy today.
What are the Vikings doing? They’re planning a run at the playoffs while resuscitating their financial outlook and adjusting, for at least one year, a quarterback plan that went awry.
Vikings Prime Candidates for $110 Million Star DT Amid Hargrave, Allen Exits
Among the best possible solutions is signing a free-agent deal with Christian Wilkins, whom the Las Vegas Raiders released last July for breach of contract and who sat out the 2025 season.
Despite the Raiders’ voiding the remainder Wilkins’ $110 million contract, which he signed in March 2024, and despite Wilkins appearing in just five games over the last two seasons combined, ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that just about the entire NFL has reached out to Wilkins’ representation about his availability, as the DT intends to return to action in 2026.
“Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta,” Schefter reported on Friday, March 20. “So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.”
Given the numbers Schefter reported, odds are that Minnesota was among those 26 teams to inquire about Wilkins’ availability.
What Wilkins can command in free agency is an interesting question without a clear answer. That he hasn’t played much at all in two years and that he is already on the wrong side of 30 years old and still injured hurts his market.
However, that so many teams are interested should certainly work in Wilkins’ favor. He makes a ton of sense for a potential contender in Minnesota, but the price has to be right, as Wilkins does not come absent significant risk.
Vikings Trade Idea Sends Jonathan Greenard to an Unexpected Destination
Greenard is looking for a pay raise from the $38 million he is owed over the next two years ($19 million in both 2026 and 2027), and the Vikings are not at the point where they are necessarily willing to offer that.
Minnesota are reportedly looking for compensation in the range of a day two pick in next month’s draft, and given the lack of top tier edge rushers around the league, it is not impossible that they find that sort of compensation in return.
Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick projects that the team who could ultimately make the move for Greenard is one that has multiple top-level forces off the edge, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“The Vikings are open to trading Jonathan Greenard this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Minnesota would reportedly like to retain the edge rusher, but salary cap “issues” have caused the team to consider moving on.” Kadlick writes. “Greenard, 28, signed a four-year, $76 million contract with Minnesota in the spring of 2024 and after a solid debut season with the club, played in just 12 games in ‘25 while logging only three sacks. ”
“That said, he remains in the prime of his career, and a team like the Jaguars would benefit from bringing him in to play opposite Josh Hines-Allen on defense. Jacksonville would have to do some salary gymnastics to get a deal done, however, as they currently sit just $6.9 million over the cap.”
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The Jaguars could well be content with giving up one of their three third round picks (#81, #88 and #100) in the draft in exchange for a proven game-changer on the defense, buying low on a player who is coming of a down season in 2025, where he only managed 3 sacks in 12 games.
DeAndre Hopkins: ‘If the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there’
“I would always embrace that journey with him,” Hopkins said. “If Kyler need me, he know I’m there. If the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”
Vikings-Bills trade pitch would send $10 million receiver from Buffalo to Minnesota
The Buffalo Bills should look to give wide receiver Keon Coleman a fresh start after a tumultuous 2025 season, and the Minnesota Vikings could be a possible destination.
FanSided’s Austen Bundy predicts the Vikings will be Coleman’s next team as he prepares for a make-or-break 2026 season.
“Coleman could get a new lease on his career and demonstrate he’s still an elite prospect while Buffalo recoups value and Beane can select the guy he actually wants,” Bundy said.
Contract Details Revealed for Carson Wentz Vikings Return
Compensation update: It’s a one-year, $3 million deal with upside for Carson Wentz, who gets $2.645M guaranteed.
‘What Do You Think Green Bay Said?’ More Reasons to Be Pumped About Kyler Murray
ESPN’s Seth Walder called the Kyler Murray signing by the Vikings an “absolute coup” at the most important position in the game, labeling it his best free agent signing of the offseason.. Days after being cut by the Cardinals after seven seasons, Murray inked a one-year, $1.3 million veteran minimum deal to join the Vikings.
“Minnesota just got a huge upgrade at quarterback for the veteran minimum,” Walder wrote.
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In talking about the signing on his Fully Loaded podcast, Vikings legend Cris Carter got a little bit more explicit with what Murray’s addition to the Vikings means, and how the rest of the North is likely reacting to the signing.
“What do you think Green Bay said when [the Vikings] signed Kyler Murray? They said two words… ‘Oh s,'” said Carter. “What do you think Chicago said? ‘Oh s!'”
When asked by co-host Shawn Meaike if teams aren’t afraid of McCarthy, Carter responded, “Who do you want to play twice? J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray?”
Vikings could extend one of their key offensive linemen soon
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After the Johnny Hekker, Ryan Van Demark, and Carson Wentz signing it is hard to tell how much cap space the team has remaining. overthecap is showing $8,025,956 remaining which includes the Carson Wentz signing but not the Van Demark or Hekker signings. Van Demark got 4.25M gtd and Hekker probably got between 1.5M and 2M. Maybe they included a void year on Van Demark’s deal but if they did, then the Bills would have known since the exact offer has to be given to the Bills. Without any void years the team is down to about 2M in cap space. I have noticed over the years that Brez likes to be in this area and will only create more cap space if there is a need. Apparently, the team has filled all the needs and will rely on rookies although they could still sign players to the minimum which would not affect the cap much since the player at the bottom of the top 51 will drop off.
Obviously, an extension for O’Neill would lower his 23M cap hit significantly and a trade of Greenard would save about 12.25M in cap space.
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I am going to guess a trade of Greenard is coming unless they want to extend him. I think a trade makes the most sense and here is why …
The “Snap Count” Conflict
In 2025, Brian Flores’s scheme struggled to balance three high-level edge rushers when all were healthy.
- Veteran Priority: When Greenard and Van Ginkel were active, they often combined for over 80% of defensive snaps. In those games, Turner was frequently limited to a rotational role, sometimes playing as few as 14 to 37 snaps (roughly 21–53%).
- Turner’s Production: Despite the rotational role early on, Turner led the team with 8.0 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2025, largely because he played 402 more snaps than his rookie year due to veteran injuries.
- The Dilemma: Keeping both high-priced veterans blocks Turner from becoming a true “every-down” cornerstone, which is the expectation for a top-20 draft pick.
The trade would be Greenard to the Eagles for pick #68 and DT Moro Ojomo who will be in the last year of his deal.
2025 Regular Season Stats
Ojomo finished the season second on the Eagles in sacks, trailing only rookie linebacker Jalyx Hunt.
- Games Played: 17
- Total Tackles: 38 (17 solo, 21 assisted)
- Sacks: 6.0
- Sack Yards: 38
- Forced Fumbles: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Pass Deflections: 1
Advanced Metrics & PFF Efficiency
Despite his status as a former 7th-round pick, Ojomo’s efficiency metrics rivaled elite starters like Chris Jones.
- PFF Overall Grade: 72.9 (ranked 19th out of 134 qualified Interior Defenders)
- PFF Pass Rush Grade: 70.3 (ranked 30th out of 134)
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 15.9% (ranked 5th highest among all NFL DTs and 1st among the 2023 draft class)
- Pressure Rate: 11.9% (highest among all defensive tackles on the Eagles)
- Total Pressures: 23
Usage & Snap Counts
Ojomo transitioned from a rotational depth piece into a primary starter for Vic Fangio’s defense. Pro-Football-Reference.com +1
- Total Defensive Snaps: 740
- Snap Percentage: 65.72%
- Starts: 9
- Special Teams Snaps: 78 (17.77%)
I do not know if they need that to sign any new free agents but there are some still out there that are intriguing.
The first signing would be Christian Wilkins. Here is a deal for him …
Proposed 1-Year “Prove-It” Structure
This structure keeps his immediate cap hit near the league minimum while offering significant upside if he returns to his 2023 form.
Component Amount 2026 Cap Impact Notes
Base Salary $1,215,000 $1,215,000 Veteran minimum for a player with his experience.
Signing Bonus $1,000,000 $1,000,000 Fully guaranteed at signing.
Per-Game Roster Bonus $1,000,000 $0 (NLTBE) Since he played 0 games in 2025, every game is NLTBE.
Performance (Sacks) $2,000,000 $0 (NLTBE) Tiered: $1M for 5 sacks; $1M for 9+ sacks.
Playing Time $1,500,000 $0 (NLTBE) Tiered: 50%, 65%, and 80% of defensive snaps.
Total Value$6,715,000$2,215,000Initial 2026 Cap Hit
- Deferred Costs: If Wilkins records 9 sacks and plays 80% of snaps, the Vikings would pay him the full $6.7M, but the additional $4.5M in incentives wouldn’t count until the 2027 cap, which is projected to be healthy at over $368 million.
- Rehab Protection: By using per-game roster bonuses, the Vikings only pay for the weeks Wilkins is actually healthy and active on the 53-man roster.
Wilkins’ Public Comments on Flores
- A “No-Nonsense” Fit: Shortly after being drafted in 2019, Wilkins stated that he and Flores would “hit it off” because Flores is a “no-nonsense kind of guy” who is “about his business” but also “cares for and loves his players”.
- The “All Hate” Joke: Wilkins famously joked about their dynamic in 2019, saying, “With me and Flo, there’s no love. All hate, that’s all it is.” He quickly clarified that they have a “really good relationship” and that he often poked fun at Flores to try and get the “stony-faced” coach to smile.
- Respecting High Standards: Following a public “scolding” from Flores early in his rookie season, Wilkins noted that being highly regarded by Flores “means a lot” and that he welcomed the “expectations and the standards” Flores held him to.
Flores’ Public Comments on Wilkins
Flores has reciprocated this respect, often calling Wilkins the “face of what we want to be about”. Miami Herald
- “I Love Christian”: After disciplining Wilkins for a penalty in 2019, Flores told the media, “I love Christian. He knows that. I’m going to coach him hard… he’s going to be here a long time”.
- Vikings Reunion Interest: In July 2025, after Wilkins was released by the Raiders, Flores told reporters, “I have a lot of history with Christian… I don’t mind adding more”. He described Wilkins as an “ascending” player during their time together in Miami.
The next signing one would be Deandre Hopkins.
Recommended Offer Structure
Since Hopkins turns 34 in June and is coming off a career-low 330-yard season, a “respectful” offer uses his low 2025 production to keep his 2026 cap hit minimal. One year 5M with MLTBE incentives
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Amount : 2026 Cap Hit : Rationale
Base Salary : $1,215,000 : $1,215,000 : Veteran minimum for his years of service.
Signing Bonus : $1,285,000 : $1,285,000 : Up-front “respect” cash to secure him
NLTBE Catch Bonus : $1,500,000 : $0 : Trigger: 40+ receptions (exceeds his 22 catches in 2025).
NLTBE Yardage Bonus : $1,000,000 : $0 : Trigger: 500+ yards (exceeds his 330 yards in 2025).
Total Max Value : $5,000,000 : $2,500,000 : Initial 2026 Cap Impact
2026 Salary Cap Breakdown
Your effective cap space for 2026 now stands at approximately $31 million.
2027 Salary Cap Projection
Your projected 2027 cap space has skyrocketed to $114.3 million, providing elite flexibility for future extensions. The 114M is derived from the current 67M minus the O’Neill extension which takes it to about 49M. Then, you add back the Greenard 22.3M that is removed from the books and $12 million in cap credits for the Allen and Hargrave signings. That takes it to about 83.3M.
Yore MockDraft Results from Mock Draft Hero
Pre-Draft Rankings: NFL Mock Draft Database
Trades
LAC receive: 1.18, 5.163 MIN receive: 1.22, 3.86
MIN receive: 2.45, 4.115 BAL receive: 2.49, 3.97
KC receive: 3.68 MIN receive: 3.74, 5.148
DAL receive: 3.86 MIN receive: 3.92, 5.180
MIN receive: 4.113 IND receive: 4.115, 7.235
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Pick 22. Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon) 6’0″ 201
Pick 45. Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas) 6’3″ 235
Pick 74. Keylan Rutledge (IOL, Georgia Tech) 6’4″ 316
Pick 82. Joshua Josephs (EDGE, Tennessee) 6’3″ 242
Pick 92. Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia) 6’5″ 245
Pick 113. Zxavian Harris (DL, Ole Miss) 6’8″ 335
Pick 148. Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State) 5’11” 225
Pick 180. Ephesians Prysock (CB, Washington) 6’3 3/8″ 196
Pick 196. Kaden Wetjen (WR, Iowa) 5’10 1/8 192
Pick 234. Max Bredeson (FB, Michigan) 6’2″ 252
Pick 244. Andre Fuller (CB, Toledo) 6’2″ 195
I like this plan and draft a lot. You get Wilkins and Ojomo to add to the defensive line plus you draft the mammoth Harris. You add Hopkins for insurance on Felton. Thieneman and Allen are good additions and replacements for Harrison Smith and maybe Blake Cashman (in 2027). Rutledge would be the new center. He worked out at center there at the Senior Bowl and had the best agility scores of all linemen at the combine. I like Delp to replace Hockenson in 2027.
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