Plethora of cap space enables Vikings to go on free agent spending spree
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks to have made significant improvements to the Vikings' roster by reaching agreements that will become official on Wednesday.
So this is what it feels like to be a big spender in March.
A year after entering free agency with a middle-of-the-pack $32.7 million in salary cap room and making several astute moves to improve their roster, the Vikings began the legal tampering portion of free agency on Monday with the seventh-most cap space in the NFL at around $60 million.
This gave general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff the freedom to make additions that were only a pipe dream during the years that Kirk Cousins’ contract took up so much of the Vikings’ cap.
With the NFL’s new league year set to open at 3 p.m. Wednesday, meaning free agent agreements reached on Monday and Tuesday can be officially announced, the Vikings have committed an NFL-leading $243.8 million to free agents, according to the Over The Cap website.
Both coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense and coordinator Brian Flores’ defense look to be significantly improved.
O’Connell’s wish list included retaining running back Aaron Jones and improving the interior of the offensive line. That was done with the addition of guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts.
Flores was in need of a defensive tackle. How about two? Jonathan Allen reportedly signed a three-year, $60 million contract after being released by Washington. NFL Media reported that Javon Hargrave will join the Vikings once he’s released by the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday.
Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who tied for third in the NFL last season with six interceptions, was retained on a three-year, $66 million contract, and Eagles corner Isaiah Rodgers agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract. Safety Theo Jackson also was resigned as Cam Bynum left for the Colts.
The cynic will look at the additions and point out that Jones, Kelly, Allen and Hargrave are 30 or older, and Fries, Kelly, Allen and Hargrave all missed substantial time last season because of injury.
The optimist will counter that Murphy, Fries and Rodgers are in their 20s and that the total cap hits for at least five of these deals leaves space to continue building the 2025 roster. The Star Tribune reports that Murphy, Allen, Jones, Rodgers and punter Ryan Wright carry a combined cap hit of $23.5 million.