The Vikings are heading into roster-cutdown season with more than one reason to make a tough call, and money is right at the center of it. Minnesota has just over $22.2 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac, but that number can always be nudged higher when teams start hunting for savings.
With the 53-man deadline due Sunday at 5 p.m. CT, the Vikings could choose to trim salary in a few places and open up an additional $12.5 million. That kind of move would not be out of character for a team that has already made surprise cuts before in order to create flexibility for the season ahead.
One name to watch is Ivan Pace. He lost his starting job to Eric Wilson last season and is now trying to hang on as a backup in 2026.
The issue for Pace is that he has not done much to separate himself in practice or at training camp, while players lower on the depth chart have pushed their way into the conversation. Replacing him with Jacob Roberts would save Minnesota a significant amount of money and give the younger linebacker a chance to keep building on strong practice and preseason showings.
Aaron Jones is another possible casualty if the Vikings decide every dollar matters. He already took a pay cut earlier in the offseason, and the fact that Minnesota was willing to move on from him then makes another cut easier to imagine now.
Letting him go would clear more than $5.2 million. Jones still brings value as a balanced back and a receiver out of the backfield, but he is 31 and has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons.
The Vikings could decide to lean on Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott and Demond Claiborne instead and get younger while saving money.
Then there is Blake Brandel, whose spot looks shakier because of what’s happening in the middle of the offensive line. He is the Vikings’ starting center right now, but there is real doubt about whether he should open the regular season there in Week 1.
Training camp has brought issues getting the ball to the quarterback, and the depth behind him does not inspire much confidence. Minnesota may decide the better move is to bring in help at center, whether through free agency or a trade, which would make Brandel easier to move on from if the team no longer views him as a long-term answer at the position.
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