All Things 2025 NFL Free Agency

[Slim Tubby]

With all the discussion about what to do with Sam Darnold, let's look first at what the Vikings have for Free Agents of our own at all the positions:

Offense
QB Sam Darnold*
QB Daniel Jones*
QB Nick Mullens
QB Brent Rypien
RB Aaron Jones*
RB Cam Akers
WR Brandon Powell
WR Trent Sherfield
TE Johnny Mundt
OT Cam Robinson
OT David Quessenberry
OG Dalton Risner
OG Dan Feeney
P Ryan Wright

Defense
DE Jihad Ward
DT Jerry Tillery*
DT Jonathan Bullard
DT Jalen Redmond*
EDGE Patrick Jones*
CB Byron Murphy Jr.*
CB Stephon Gilmore*
CB Shaqill Griffin
CB Fabian Moreau
S Harrison Smith
S Cam Bynum*
S Theo Jackson*

* Denotes guys I personally hope we re-sign

Our $76M in Cap Space might not seem like a lot when factoring in a possible Darnold extension and what we do with our own Free Agents.

It sure would make more sense for the NFL to have the Draft prior to Free Agency so teams know exactly what holes they still need to fill. I despise even the concept of drafting for "need" over "best talent available".

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

With all the discussion about what to do with Sam Darnold, let's look first at what the Vikings have for Free Agents of our own at all the positions:

Offense
QB Sam Darnold*
QB Daniel Jones*
QB Nick Mullens
QB Brent Rypien
RB Aaron Jones*
RB Cam Akers
WR Brandon Powell
WR Trent Sherfield
TE Johnny Mundt
OT Cam Robinson
OT David Quessenberry
OG Dalton Risner
OG Dan Feeney
P Ryan Wright

Defense
DE Jihad Ward
DT Jerry Tillery*
DT Jonathan Bullard
DT Jalen Redmond*
EDGE Patrick Jones*
CB Byron Murphy Jr.*
CB Stephon Gilmore*
CB Shaqill Griffin
CB Fabian Moreau
S Harrison Smith
S Cam Bynum*
S Theo Jackson*

* Denotes guys I personally hope we re-sign

Our $76M in Cap Space might not seem like a lot when factoring in a possible Darnold extension and what we do with our own Free Agents.

It sure would make more sense for the NFL to have the Draft prior to Free Agency so teams know exactly what holes they still need to fill. I despise even the concept of drafting for "need" over "best talent available".

Cool Thread- thanks.

You wasn’t another season of the Gilmore Girls?

I think he was a good/great addition this year, but he’ll be 35 next year - that’s like 95 in DB years

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Cool Thread- thanks.

You wasn’t another season of the Gilmore Girls?

I think he was a good/great addition this year, but he’ll be 35 next year - that’s like 95 in DB years

Woof... I don't think there's any chance they sign Gilmore again. He hasn't been great in purple, but Flores and the pass rush have done a good job of hiding some of the DB warts.

 

[gophersfan]

Just so you know. Ryan Wright is RFA. So the Vikings have the rights to match any offer from the other team.

I can see Sam resigning. but i just don't see Daniel Jones being back with the Vikings. Just that he not getting the starting job here.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Woof... I don't think there's any chance they sign Gilmore again. He hasn't been great in purple, but Flores and the pass rush have done a good job of hiding some of the DB warts.

I'd have no problem letting Gilmore walk but it might be nice to have a reasonably priced veteran on the roster considering how much we could lose in our Secondary. I didn't realize he was already 35, though. Hopefully Blackmon turns out to be a keeper.

 

[Slim Tubby]

With all the discussion about what to do with Sam Darnold, let's look first at what the Vikings have for Free Agents of our own at all the positions:

Offense
QB Sam Darnold
QB Daniel Jones
QB Nick Mullens
QB Brent Rypien
RB Aaron Jones
RB Cam Akers
WR Brandon Powell
WR Trent Sherfield
TE Johnny Mundt
OT Cam Robinson
OT David Quessenberry
OG Dalton Risner
OG Dan Feeney
P Ryan Wright

Defense
DE Jihad Ward
DT Jerry Tillery
DT Jonathan Bullard
DT Jalen Redmond
EDGE Patrick Jones
CB Byron Murphy Jr.
CB Stephon Gilmore
CB Shaqill Griffin
CB Fabian Moreau
S Harrison Smith
S Cam Bynum
S Theo Jackson

If we could only re-sign five (5) of own guys on this list, who would you select?

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

If we could only re-sign five (5) of own guys on this list, who would you select?

You first; I’ll pretend I’m back in HS accounting and copy your homework, Dave - easiest B+ I ever got

 

[Slim Tubby]

You first; I’ll pretend I’m back in HS accounting and copy your homework, Dave - easiest B+ I ever got

Oh boy...assuming we place the Franchise Tag on Darnold, I'd probably go with these guys in order of importance:

S Cam Bynum
CB Byron Murphy Jr.
DT Jalen Redmond
DT Jerry Tillery
QB Daniel Jones

* None of these guys should command top Starter $$$ at their position in Free Agency.

* JJM has a $10M cap hit in 2025. If we trade him, I'd have no problem spending that on Jones to have a quality backup if Darnold were to miss a few games.

* If the Vikings are smart, they should extend Metellus right now before he gets really expensive after next season. The guy is an absolute menace on the field for Flores.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Oh boy...assuming we place the Franchise Tag on Darnold, I'd probably go with these guys in order of importance:

S Cam Bynum
CB Byron Murphy Jr.
DT Jalen Redmond
DT Jerry Tillery
QB Daniel Jones

* None of these guys should command top Starter $$$ at their position in Free Agency.

* JJM has a $10M cap hit in 2025. If we trade him, I'd have no problem spending that on Jones to have a quality backup if Darnold were to miss a few games.

* If the Vikings are smart, they should extend Metellus right now before he gets really expensive after next season. The guy is an absolute menace on the field for Flores.

That’s exactly what I was going to propose, no wonder I like it - Mr. Malware.

You’re right on Metellus and I’m too chilled out for Sunday and the playoffs to focus on all the FA complexity now. At this juncture, you’re my unpaid Sherpa - Mush!

 

[Slim Tubby]

That’s exactly what I was going to propose, no wonder I like it - Mr. Malware.

You’re right on Metellus and I’m too chilled out for Sunday and the playoffs to focus on all the FA complexity now. At this juncture, you’re my unpaid Sherpa - Mush!

Be nice or I'll hide the extra oxygen tanks and salt pills on Sunday, Mr. Hillary.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

that's a lot of good defensive players including the entire starting secondary.

which creates a catch-22 situation.

If the Vikes bring back Darnold at a higher salary, that reduces their cap space, and limits the number of moves they can make during the off-season.

but if they don't bring back Darnold, you're betting the team's immediate future on a QB (McCarthy) who has never taken a snap in a regular-season game.

either way presents a certain amount of risk.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Oh boy...assuming we place the Franchise Tag on Darnold, I'd probably go with these guys in order of importance:

S Cam Bynum
CB Byron Murphy Jr.
DT Jalen Redmond
DT Jerry Tillery
QB Daniel Jones

* None of these guys should command top Starter $$$ at their position in Free Agency.

* JJM has a $10M cap hit in 2025. If we trade him, I'd have no problem spending that on Jones to have a quality backup if Darnold were to miss a few games.

* If the Vikings are smart, they should extend Metellus right now before he gets really expensive after next season. The guy is an absolute menace on the field for Flores.

Listening to the Braun kid on Locked on Vikings, who is extremely well educated on the salary cap stuff, he was surprised they didn't sign Bynum before the season; they really like him and he thought it would get done. I remember him talking about it last summer.

I'm not sure on Redmond and Tillery; depends on the number (obviously) but it also depends on just how much they love Taki Taimani and Levi Drake Rodriguez. Both of those guys were coming on down the stretch, if I'm not mistaken.

Murphy Jr, 100%. A must. And I hope they find a way to keep Jones as a reclamation project. Who knows?

 

[GophersInIowa]

Murphy is the #1 priority after the QB situation. If they're bringing back another CB, I'd rather it be Griffin than Gilmore.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

quick thought - forgot about Mekhi Blackmon. assuming he's healthy, he will most likely be in the rotation at CB, so maybe you can let one of the older CB's go.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Murphy is the #1 priority after the QB situation. If they're bringing back another CB, I'd rather it be Griffin than Gilmore.

Without question.

Patrick Jones will unfortunately be a cap casualty. I'm guessing he's earned himself a raise somewhere else after making only $1.5M I think this year. But with Dallas Turner likely stepping up and I think they REALLY like UDFA Gabe Murphy, it's hard to see them keeping Jones III and/or Jiahd Ward. Probably one of them?

At CB, it sure would be awesome if at least ONE of Blackmon and UDFA McGlothern steps up next offseason and assumes a much larger role. They'll sign another 1-2 DB's though.

There's SOOOOOO much dead money coming off the books next offseason. Holy shit. In just Cousins, Hunter, Davenport, Cine, Cook, Lowry and Mattison there's like $55M coming off the books.

Darnold will be back in Purple, there's not a doubt in my mind.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Without question.

Patrick Jones will unfortunately be a cap casualty. I'm guessing he's earned himself a raise somewhere else after making only $1.5M I think this year. But with Dallas Turner likely stepping up and I think they REALLY like UDFA Gabe Murphy, it's hard to see them keeping Jones III and/or Jiahd Ward. Probably one of them?

At CB, it sure would be awesome if at least ONE of Blackmon and UDFA McGlothern steps up next offseason and assumes a much larger role. They'll sign another 1-2 DB's though.

There's SOOOOOO much dead money coming off the books next offseason. Holy shit. In just Cousins, Hunter, Davenport, Cine, Cook, Lowry and Mattison there's like $55M coming off the books.

Darnold will be back in Purple, there's not a doubt in my mind.

I would still go after another starting CB for sure. Griffin would be a cheaper veteran for the 3rd CB spot but yes would be nice if one of the younger guys also stepped up.

 

[Slim Tubby]

It's not Free Agency related but Myles Garrett has requested a trade from CLE to a team ready to win now. The Vikings, Lions and shit stains to our East were all mentioned.

Doesn't make a ton of sense for us with Gink, Greenard and Turner in the fold already, though.

 

[gophersfan]

Rams blowing things up.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Rams blowing things up.

I don't think I would call trading a WR who will be 32 next season and struggles to stay healthy, blowing things up.

 

[Slim Tubby]

I don't think I would call trading a WR who will be 32 next season and struggles to stay healthy, blowing things up.

I can't imagine they'll get more than a 4th or 5th Round Pick for him. It also sounds like DK Metcalf might get shopped by SEA.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

I can't imagine they'll get more than a 4th or 5th Round Pick for him. It also sounds like DK Metcalf might get shopped by SEA.

I saw one person a week or so ago throw it out there that the Raiders could trade for Metcalf, IIRC. Not sure how i feel about that. Good player, with a whole lot of Diva

 

[Slim Tubby]

I saw one person a week or so ago throw it out there that the Raiders could trade for Metcalf, IIRC. Not sure how i feel about that. Good player, with a whole lot of Diva

The Raiders were the first team mentioned and they also felt Cousins was a lock for them, too. I think Carroll will want a veteran QB like Kirk or Russ so it makes some sense.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

The Raiders were the first team mentioned and they also felt Cousins was a lock for them, too. I think Carroll will want a veteran QB like Kirk or Russ so it makes some sense.

I could live with Kirko for one season in the desert, Wilson I'm not sure; he started to look his age down the stretch in Pitt. I would have to believe Kelly will have a huge say in who is QB is? Shit, I'm guessing he came to the interview with his own ideas on that already. You give the man all that money, you have to let him bring in who he wants for QB.

 

[forever a gopher]

I can't imagine they'll get more than a 4th or 5th Round Pick for him. It also sounds like DK Metcalf might get shopped by SEA.

Has a cap hit of almost $30MM in 2025 and over $27MM in 2026, which will limit his trade value. Any trade would likely require a contract restructuring, or the Rams to take some of that hit. You can't pay a guy that much money and only be healthy for 8 games.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/21811/cooper-kupp

 

[Slim Tubby]

Has a cap hit of almost $30MM in 2025 and over $27MM in 2026, which will limit his trade value. Any trade would likely require a contract restructuring, or the Rams to take some of that hit. You can't pay a guy that much money and only be healthy for 8 games.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/21811/cooper-kupp

Agreed. The articles I read suggested the Rams will have to eat 50% of his deal in order to facilitate a trade. Does removing one of Stafford's security blankets influence his decision about coming back?