Vikings contracts explained

1. Byron Murphy Jr.CB · One big year, then void years2.9x$8.32M in 2026

   3-year deal signed in 2025. In March 2026, part of the 2026 salary became a $14.06M signing bonus, with void years added for 2028-30.

   $8.32M2026

   $24.4M2027

   Cap hits after the March 2026 restructure. Void years follow in 2028-30.

   2.9x: his peak cap hit (2027, $24.4M) is 2.9 times his 2026 cap hit ($8.32M).

   • His cap hit nearly triples from 2026 to 2027.

   The GM view: A short deal stretched by void years. Dead money lingers even after he is gone.

   Sources: Vikings On SI (Joe Nelson), March 11, 2026 (the article notes the details could not be independently confirmed)

2. Justin JeffersonWR · Minnesota kicked the can to 20272.5x$21.2M in 2026
3. Christian DarrisawLT · Cheap 2026, three big years after2.5x$13.5M in 2026

   Restructured in March 2026: $12.075M of 2026 salary became signing bonus.

   $13.5M2026

   $27.9M2027

   $34.1M2028

   $31.5M2029

   Cap hits after the March 2026 restructure.

   2.5x: his peak cap hit (2028, $34.1M) is 2.5 times his 2026 cap hit ($13.5M).

   • 2028 is the peak at $34.1M.

   The GM view: Fine if he stays healthy; painful if not, because the money is now locked into later years.

   Sources: Vikings On SI (Joe Nelson), March 11, 2026 (the article notes the details could not be independently confirmed)

4. Brian O'NeillRT · An extension that cut his 2026 hit, with an out in 2028No score$14.7M in 2026

   4-year, $96M extension (July 28, 2026) through 2030, with about $43.4M guaranteed and a $27.1M signing bonus. His 2026 ($5.1M) and 2027 ($17.2M) salaries are fully guaranteed.

   $14.7M2026

   2026 cap hit after the extension, per Ben Goessling (Minnesota Star Tribune) via Pro Football Rumors, July 31, 2026. A full year-by-year schedule is not in reporting we can cite, so there is no score. PFR's Sept 3 review lists $14.83M.

   No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

   • The deal lowered his 2026 hit from $23.16M.
   • A to Z Sports says the first out is 2028, when cutting him would save $12.16M.

   The GM view: Two guaranteed years for a tackle in his 30s, then it is year to year.

   Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Nikhil Mehta), citing Adam Schefter and Ben Goessling, July 28-31, 2026 · A to Z Sports (Tyler Forness), citing Over The Cap, July 31, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson), 'Offseason In Review: Minnesota Vikings', Sept 3, 2026

5. Andrew Van GinkelOLB · Final year, with four void years behind itNo score$19.4M in 2026

   1-year, $23M extension (April 2025) through 2026, with $22.4M guaranteed and a $10M signing bonus. Four void years are attached.

   $11.4M2025

   $19.4M2026

   Cap hits as reported by Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson, May 2, 2025), citing Over The Cap. Last Word on Sports lists his 2026 hit as $19.25M (Aug 7, 2026). Only one season remains, so there is no score.

   No backload score: 2026 is the last season of his deal, so there is nothing later to compare against.

   • He's the third-biggest 2026 cap hit on the team.
   • A to Z Sports (June 29, 2026) says $8.8M of dead money hits in 2027 when the deal voids, and $5.4M of it could be pushed out with an extension.

   The GM view: A rental-year price for a pass rusher now in his 30s. Re-sign him or eat the void money.

   Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson), citing Adam Schefter and Over The Cap, April 29 and May 2, 2025 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Vikings 2026 cap hits, Aug 7, 2026 · A to Z Sports (Tyler Forness), June 29, 2026

6. Will FriesG · A $17M guard with a 2027 escape hatchNo score2026 not reported

   5-year, $87.72M deal (March 2025) with $34M guaranteed at signing. Another $10M becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster on Day 3 of the 2027 league year. Up to $6M in incentives.

   $21.5M2027

   $21.5M2028

   $21.5M2029

   2027-2029 cap hits as reported by The Viking Age (Brad Berreman, Nov 5, 2026). The only 2026 figure we can cite ($17.22M, Last Word on Sports, Aug 7, 2026) comes from a different outlet, so it isn't mixed into this schedule, and with no 2026 entry there is no score. The remaining years are flat at $21.5M.

   No backload score: The schedule we cite covers 2027-29 only. The one citable 2026 figure ($17.22M) is from a different outlet, so the two are not combined.

   • $10M of his $16.89M 2027 base salary becomes guaranteed on the 3rd day of the league year (The Viking Age).
   • Cutting him before June 1, 2027 leaves $12M dead and saves $9.5M. A post-June 1 cut saves $17.5M in 2027 (The Viking Age, citing Over The Cap).
   • His 2026 cap hit is $17.22M per Last Word on Sports (Aug 7, 2026). The Viking Age gives the deal as $87.2M, while PFR reported $87.72M.

   The GM view: Fourth-biggest cap hit on the team, and the March 2027 guarantee date is the deadline to decide.

   Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson), citing Over The Cap, March 14, 2025 · The Viking Age (Brad Berreman), Nov 5, 2026 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Vikings 2026 cap hits, Aug 7, 2026 · Purple PTSD (Brevan Bane), citing Over The Cap, July 18, 2026

7. T.J. HockensonTE · Took a pay cut, and now it's a contract yearNo score$15.6M in 2026

   In March 2026 he accepted a pay cut. He's now on a 1-year, $10.25M deal ($10.15M guaranteed), and the final year of his old 4-year, $66M extension was removed.

   $15.6M2026

   Complete schedule: the March 2026 rework deleted 2027 (ProFootballTalk, Charean Williams, March 7, 2026, citing Tom Pelissero), so 2026 is his last contract year. The $15.605M figure comes from A to Z Sports (Tyler Forness, June 29, 2026). The $7.11M of 2027 dead money is a void-year charge, not a playing year, so it's left out. With one season there is no score.

   No backload score: 2026 is his last contract year after the March 2026 rework, so there is nothing later to compare against.

   • A to Z Sports: a $7M base salary plus a $3.15M roster bonus in 2026. The Vikings carry $7.11M of dead money in 2027, and $1.755M of it would shift to 2028 if he's extended.
   • The move created about $5M of 2026 cap room.
   • Outlets disagree on his old 2026 hit: $21.296M per ProFootballTalk, $21.9M per Vikings On SI.

   The GM view: A smart cut that turned a bloated deal into a one-year prove-it.

   Sources: A to Z Sports (Tyler Forness), June 29, 2026 · ProFootballTalk (Charean Williams), citing Tom Pelissero, March 7, 2026 · Vikings On SI (Joe Nelson), March 11, 2026 · ProFootballTalk (Mike Florio), March 7, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson), 'Offseason In Review: Minnesota Vikings', Sept 3, 2026

8. Kirk CousinsQB · Back for $650K this year, with a $10M decision in MarchNo score$650K in 2026

   Acquired from the Raiders on Nov 10, 2026, for a 2027 third-round pick. His April 2026 Raiders deal pays a $1.3M 2026 salary and a $10M roster bonus early in the 2027 league year. After that, a two-year, $80M fully guaranteed option kicks in only if he's still on the roster. Two void years run the deal through 2030 on paper. The Falcons are paying $8.7M of his 2026 money.

   $650K2026

   2026 Vikings cap charge as reported by Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne, Nov 11, 2026). Later years depend on the March 2027 roster-bonus decision, so there is no score.

   No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

   • The $10M roster bonus comes due in March. Keeping him past it triggers the $80M option.
   • Outlets differ on the bonus: PFR's April report called it fully guaranteed and due on Day 3, while its Nov 11 report says it becomes guaranteed on Day 5 and Minnesota gets to decide.

   The GM view: Almost free for the rest of 2026. The real price tag is a March decision.

   Sources: Vikings.com (Lindsey Young), citing Tom Pelissero, Nov 10, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Details On Kirk Cousins Trade Talks', Nov 11, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), citing Adam Schefter and Tom Pelissero, April 2, 2026

9. Kyler MurrayQB · A starting QB for the minimum, paid for by ArizonaNo score2026 not reported

   1-year, $1.3M deal (2026). The Cardinals released him with a post-June 1 designation and absorbed a $53.8M dead-cap hit.

   No backload score: One-year minimum deal, and outlets disagree on his Vikings cap hit, so none is shown.

   • Named the starter Aug 11. He's started six games but is now out with a hamstring injury, per Vikings.com (Nov 10).
   • Vikings Territory notes the bargain ends after this season.

   The GM view: The best value at QB in the division this year, and the bill comes in 2027 if he plays well.

   Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Sam Robinson), 'Offseason In Review: Minnesota Vikings', Sept 3, 2026 · Vikings Territory (K. Joudry), Oct 1, 2026 · Vikings.com (Lindsey Young), Nov 10, 2026 · VikesNow, Oct 14, 2026 · Vikingscap.com, salary cap notes

Bars show each reported cap hit by year on one shared scale; the dark bar is 2026. Tap a deal for the full breakdown.

1. Aaron Jones Sr.RB$10.2M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
2. Josh OliverTE$9.93M3 years leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
3. Jauan JenningsWR$9.53M1 year leftVikings Wire, Cole Smith, May 28, 2026, citing Sean Borman
4. Blake CashmanLB$9.18M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
5. Isaiah Rodgers Sr.CB$8.91M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
6. Harrison SmithS$6.93M1 year leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
7. Josh MetellusS$5.96M3 years leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
8. Jordan MasonRB$5.79M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
9. Blake BrandelOL$4.47M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, David Keech, Aug 7, 2026
10. Dallas TurnerOLB$4.30M2 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
11. Jordan AddisonWR$4.30M2 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
12. Ryan Van DemarkOT$4.27M1 year leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
13. Eric WilsonLB$4.08M3 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
14. Donovan JacksonG$3.90M3 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
15. Caleb BanksDL$3.87M4 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
16. Ivan Pace Jr.LB$3.52M1 year leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
17. Carson WentzQB$3.02M1 year leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
18. James PierreCB$2.99M2 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source
19. Theo JacksonS$2.67M2 years leftVikingscap.com 2026 Salary Cap page, Jason Hurley (snapshot about mid-Sep 2026), accessed Nov 12, 2026 Fan-site source

The next deals by 2026 cap hit that don't have a full card yet. A dash means that figure has not been reported in a source we can cite. Each row links the reporting we used. Rows marked Fan-site source come from Vikingscap.com, a mid-September 2026 fan-site snapshot that may be stale.