The Vikings are hoping to hold onto linebacker Ivan Pace as he moves into restricted free agency.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Vikings will tender Pace with a contract ahead of the start of the new league year this week. Pace will receive the lowest, right of first refusal tender.
That tender carries a salary of $3.52 million for the 2026 season. Another team can sign Pace to an offer sheet and the Vikings will have a chance to match it, but will not receive any compensation if they opt against doing so.
Pace appeared in every game last season and started six times. He had 62 tackles and a sack in that action.
When the new league year begins and multiple veteran quarterbacks are released, multiple teams will be in line for a major bargain.
With the Cardinals owing Kyler Murray $36.8 million, the Raiders owing Geno Smith $18.5 million, and the Dolphins owing Tua Tagovailoa $54 million, each could take a one-year deal for $1.3 million and stick their former teams with the balance.
That’s what Russell Wilson did two years ago, after the Broncos released him. Denver owed Wilson $39 million. He took a one-year contract for the then-veteran minimum of $1.21 million. (That year, the Steelers ultimately paid their entire depth chart — Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen — less than former Pittsburgh backup Mason Rudolph got in Tennessee.)
While there’s a chance Smith can command more than $18.5 million, Murray and Tagovailoa definitely will be in the minimum-salary category. It makes both of them more attractive.
The Vikings undoubtedly will pursue one of them. Other teams will, too. And they each should try to get a no-trade clause and a no-tag clause, guaranteeing that: (1) they won’t be shipped to another team without having input in the matter; and (2) they’ll have a clear shot at free agency if things go well in 2026.
Kirk Cousins, who also will be cut on Wednesday, has a 2026 guarantee of only $10 million. Based on his performance in 2025, he most likely will not be a minimum-salary option. The availability of the other three, however, could make it harder for Cousins to find a landing spot. Some teams will be inclined to take a far cheaper option in lieu of paying Cousins at least $20 million for 2026, if not more.
With a trip to free agency roughly 12 hours away, linebacker Eric Wilson decided to stay where he has been.
Via Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, the Vikings and Wilson have agreed to terms on a three-year, $22.5 million deal. Of that amount, $12.5 million is fully guaranteed.
The 31-year-old Wilson appeared in all 17 regular-season games last season, starting 16 of them.
He arrived in Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2017. After four seasons with the Vikings, he signed a one-year deal with the Eagles. A Week 1 starter in 2021, he was released after only seven games. He finished the year with the Texans.
Wilson spent the next three seasons with the Packers. In his first two years, he appeared in 30 games with no starts. In 2024, he appeared in all 17 games, with 12 starts.
Last year, he signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal to return to Minnesota.
Not many guys see their biggest NFL payday on the other side of 30. Wilson has — and it ensures (given the guarantees) that he’ll have at least two more years with the Vikings.
Earlier tonight came word that the Vikings restructured the contract of tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the restructure includes the team agreeing to delete the final year of Hockenson’s deal. So, Hockenson took a $5 million pay cut in return for becoming a free agent in 2027.
The restructured deal gives the Vikings $5 million in cap relief.
Hockenson had a 2026 base salary of $15.4 million, with per-game roster bonuses totaling $510,000 and a workout bonus of $100,000.
His cap number was slated to be $21.296 million in 2026.
In 15 games last season, Hockenson had 51 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns.
The Vikings’ scramble to create cap space won’t result in the release of veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson.
NFL Media reports that the Vikings have restructured his contract, creating $5 million in 2026 cap space.
Hockenson had a 2026 base salary of $15.4 million, with per-game roster bonuses totaling $510,000 and a workout bonus of $100,000.
His cap number was slated to be $21.296 million in 2026.
The eighth overall pick of the Lions in 2019 was traded to the Vikings in 2022. In 15 games last season, he had 51 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns.
His best season came in 2023, with 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns.
The Vikings have been trying to create cap space in recent days, with multiple veterans released. It’s a direct product of last year’s all-in effort to enhance the roster around quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This year, the most pressing offseason need will be to find someone who can serve as a competent backup to McCarthy or to push him or to supplant him.
