” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kevin-OConnell-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=611,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kevin-OConnell-1.jpg”> The Minnesota Vikings are back, departing for Chicago, Illinois, this weekend to take on the Bears on Monday Night Football<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Vikings have shaken up everything this offseason, with so many new faces that casual fans won\u2019t recognize all the changes this abruptly.<\/strong><\/p>\n To get here, Minnesota executed a busy offseason, spending about $250 million in free agency<\/a> and promoting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, along with onboarding a rookie draft class. <\/p>\n What\u2019s more remarkable is the scale of change. The team finished 14-3 last season, but that didn\u2019t prevent Minnesota from shaking up the roster.<\/p>\n Minnesota orchestrated some major roster upheaval. <\/strong><\/p>\n ” data-image-caption=”<\/p>\n Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/USATSI_19497467-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/USATSI_19497467-1.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/USATSI_19497467-1.jpg” alt=”Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches pregame at U.S. Bank Stadium.”> Heading into the 2025 season, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah<\/a> had one big chance to spend big based on the way he finagled the budget since arriving on the scene in 2022. In four offseasons, the young executive offloaded nearly every expensive and aging veteran (except Harrison Smith), while retaining the team\u2019s youthful core, such as Justin Jefferson, Josh Metellus, and Christian Darrisaw.<\/p>\n His team ranked near the top of the NFL in available 2025 cap space, prompting Adofo-Mensah to unload.<\/p>\n All told, Adofo-Mensah welcomed these players:<\/p>\n Last year, Minnesota employed these four men at quarterback: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien, and Daniel Jones.<\/p>\n None of those men works for the Vikings anymore. Zero. Darnold left in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks. Mullens chose the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>. Jones is the new QB1 in Indianapolis, and Rypien was just released after summer roster cuts.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/J.J.-McCarthy-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=608,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/J.J.-McCarthy-1.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/J.J.-McCarthy-1.jpg” alt=”J.J. McCarthy drops back to pass at Vikings minicamp.” > To replace those men, Minnesota nominated McCarthy as the QB1, signed Carson Wentz<\/a>, and somehow found an undrafted rookie gem in Max Brosmer. <\/p>\n Four jettisoned passers. Three newcomers. <\/p>\n What\u2019s more, Vikings fans have pleaded with the franchise for over a decade to sign or draft impactful defensive tackles. Instead, the organization would always settle on a mid-tier solution, usually signing a player like Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, Jonathan Bullard, or Jerry Tillery<\/a>. In the regular season, those players would play okay<\/em>, and the cycle would start over again \u2014 fans asking for somebody better.<\/p>\n The team listened this time.<\/p>\n Adofo-Mensah signed veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a pair with four Pro Bowls between them. Minnesota also used Round 5 of the NFL Draft to pick Georgia\u2019s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins<\/a>, who flashed at times in the preseason.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_10365914.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_10365914.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_10365914.jpg” alt=”Javon Hargrave on field during Steelers game vs. Vikings.”> Think of the DT strategy this way: In with Allen and Hargrave, out with Bullard and Tillery. <\/p>\n Perhaps the main event for change, the Vikings finally put their foot down after a playoff spanking by the Los Angeles Rams. <\/p>\n When the offseason arrived, Garrett Bradbury, Blake Brandel, and En Ingram were on tap for more interior offensive line duty in 2025. That threesome has since been kicked to the curb, or in Brandel\u2019s case, demoted.<\/p>\n The Vikings will feature two prominent free-agent newcomers with center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries. And at left guard, Adofo-Mensah drafted Ohio State left guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1. <\/p>\n Gone are Bradbury, Brandel (on the bench), and Ingram. Starting are Kelly, Fries, and Jackson. <\/p>\n NFL.com<\/em>\u2018s Kevin Patra took a swing at describing the Vikings\u2019 offseason before training camp. He wrote<\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s all about J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota. The second-year quarterback will be under the microscope as he takes over an offense that rejuvenated Sam Darnold\u2019s career last season.\u201d<\/p>\nFootball The Vikings\u2019 Roster Shake-Up Is Hard to Ignore<\/h2>\n
One Vikings Acquisition Made List of Top 5 Offseason Moves<\/p>\n
Vikings Had Cap Space \u2014 and Spent It<\/h3>\n
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3 New Quarterbacks<\/h3>\n
June 10, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back during a rep at minicamp held at the team\u2019s training facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
3 New Defensive Tackles<\/h3>\n
Sep 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave (79) on the field during the fourth quarter of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
3 New Offensive Linemen<\/h3>\n
More on the Offseason<\/h3>\n
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