Vikings 2025 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings

NFL free agency has begun, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 12. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.

Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Minnesota Vikings and how each will impact the upcoming season:

Jonathan Allen, DT

The Vikings are bringing the former Commanders defensive tackle in on a three-year, $60 million contract.

What it means: The Vikings have the interior disruptor they have been seeking since allowing Dalvin Tomlinson to depart via free agency after the 2022 season. They have received serviceable play from veteran defensive linemen Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard over that period, but neither of them has been a consistent penetrator or pass rusher. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Vikings haven't had an interior defender who ranks among the NFL's top 40 in pass rush win rate. If nothing else, Allen will draw more attention from opposing offenses and away from edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.

What's the risk: Allen suffered a torn pectoral muscle in his final season with Washington, costing him nine games. It was his first significant injury since breaking a foot as a rookie, but at 30, health histories are significant for free agent acquisitions. Allen played 73% of Washington's defensive snaps between 2018 and 2023, and it would make perfect sense for that number to drop as he settles into more targeted snaps with the Vikings. Phillips, for example, played 58.6% of the team's snaps last season.

Javon Hargrave, DT

Hargrave leaves the 49ers for a two-year, $30 million with the Vikings

What it means: Hargrave gives the team a second new interior disruptor following the acquisition of Jonathan Allen. The Vikings certainly needed the help. Their 47 pressures from players aligned in the interior of their defensive line last season ranked No. 28 in the NFL, and their 7.5 sacks from those players ranked No. 31. Hargrave has been a durable and longtime menace to NFL quarterbacks no matter where he has played, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to San Francisco. Without players like Hargrave and Allen over the past two years, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has used linebackers and edge rushers in the interior on passing downs. That won't be as necessary in 2025.

What's the risk: At 32, Hargrave is certainly in the latter stages of his career and, like Allen, he is coming off a significant injury that cost him a big portion of the 2024 season. In Hargrave's case, it's was a torn right triceps that cut his season short after three games. But again, like Allen, Hargrave was a remarkably durable player before that injury. He played at least 15 games in each of his previous eight seasons. That context is important.

Will Fries, G

The former Colt is headed to Minnesota on a five-year, $88 million deal.

What it means: Fries was the best available upgrade to the guard position following the Chiefs' decision to use the franchise tag on Trey Smith, and he -- along with new center Ryan Kelly -- will help the Vikings reach one of their top offseason goals: Upgrading the interior of their offensive line. At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, Fries is much bigger than most of the guards the Vikings have used in coach Kevin O'Connell's tenure with the team. After watching quarterback Sam Darnold get sacked nine times in a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings decided not to count on improvement from existing personnel in 2025.

What's the risk: Like some of the other members of the Vikings' free agent class, Fries' 2024 season was cut short by injury. In his case, it was a serious fracture of his right tibia in October that cost him the final 12 games of the season. The Vikings were not deterred by that injury, from which Fries is expected to make a full recovery. But the reality is that Fries has played only one season as a full-time starter, in 2023. He was a backup in 2021 and started nine games in 2022. But there is enough tape of his play during those seasons to make a reasonably positive projection on his future, as long as he can stay healthy.

Rondale Moore, WR

The Vikings signed the former Falcon to a one-year deal.

What it means: All three of the Vikings' receivers from last season are set to return, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor. But the team hasn't re-signed No. 4 receiver/punt returner Brandon Powell and, assuming he is healthy, that is the place to start the discussion for Moore. He doesn't have a long history as a returner but did have 21 punt returns in 2021 for the Cardinals. But it will also be interesting to see if the Viking can carve out a non-traditional role for him that includes plays from the backfield. In three seasons with the Cardinals, he had 52 carries for 249 yards and a touchdown.

What's the risk: Moore suffered a serious right knee injury during training camp last summer and missed the entire season. The Vikings have certainly not been shy about the added risk of previous injury, and Moore is one of seven free agents signed this month who missed significant time in 2024 because of injury. The contract makes the risk minimal here, but there is also no guarantee that Moore will be able to perform at the same level as he once did.

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

The Vikings are giving Murphy three years and $66 million to stay in Minnesota.

What it means: The Vikings retained one of their top players at a position that could have been gutted by departures. Murphy made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 after intercepting six passes, and his nine interceptions in two seasons with the Vikings are almost double his total over the previous four seasons with the Cardinals. He has the versatility to play inside against slot receivers or on the outside. Had they not taken their offer into the range that made him one of the five-highest paid cornerbacks in the league, and another team had snatched him up, the Vikings would have been staring at the possibility of replacing all four of their top cornerbacks from 2024.

What's the risk: Paying Murphy an average of $22 million per year will by definition limit what else the Vikings might do at the position. A few hours earlier, the they had committed an average of $7.5 million to free agent cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. That means the Vikings likely will be counting on third-year player Mekhi Blackmon to make a full return from the torn ACL he suffered last summer in training camp, as well as counting on development from second-year player Dwight McGlothern. But if there was going to be a player for the Vikings to splurge on, Murphy needed to be it.

Aaron Jones, RB

The Vikings are re-signing Jones to a two-year, $20 million contract.

What it means: Jones will return for a second season as the Vikings' lead back, but with a twist. Coach Kevin O'Connell has made clear that he wants to build more of a running back committee system than he had in 2024, when Jones set career highs in rushing attempts (255), total touches (306) and offensive snaps (700). Backup Ty Chandler remains on the roster, but the Vikings will likely continue to seek out options to share the load with Jones, via free agency and/or the draft.

What's the risk: Jones will turn 31 before the end of the 2025 season and, while he played in all 17 games last season for only the second time in his career, his performance was hindered at times by hip, rib and quadriceps injuries. That's a large part of the reason the Vikings want to build a larger group of serviceable backs around him. It's rare to have a 31-year-old lead back. Last season, in fact, no running back older than 30 took 100 or more carries.

Jordan Mason, RB

Minnesota acquired Mason from San Francisco. He'll make up to $12 million on the two years of his contract.

What it means: Mason's acquisition gives the Vikings two proven and veteran running backs as part of their concerted effort to elevate their running game. They re-signed Jones after he set career highs last season in rushing attempts (255), total touches (306) and offensive snaps (700), but made clear they did not want him to bear such a heavy load in 2025. Mason will get more than the standard two or three possessions per game that backup running backs typically get, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the playing time split roughly 50-50.

What's the risk: Because Mason was a restricted free agent, the Vikings needed to provide draft pick compensation in addition to giving him a new contract. The draft capital -- a pick swap in 2025 and a sixth-rounder in 2026 -- was mild. And Mason's two-year contract, with $7 million fully guaranteed, won't upend the Vikings' salary cap. But if your rule is "the younger the better" for running backs, you would have preferred the Vikings dip into the deep 2025 draft class for a backup to Jones. But the Vikings have only four picks and couldn't afford to take that chance.

Jeff Okudah, CB

The former Texans corner is joining the Vikings on a one-year deal.

What it means: After entering free agency with their top four cornerbacks on expiring contracts, Okudah simply gives the Vikings another option as they rebuild the position. He has a high-end resume as the No. 3 pick of the 2020 draft, and even after a disappointing and injury-filled career, he just turned 26 years old. If anyone can pull a consistent and productive season from him, it's Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.

What's the risk: Okudah's injury history is extensive and concerning. He suffered a ruptured Achilles while playing for the Lions in 2021 and a significant hip injury last season with the Texans. Okudah has played fewer than 10 games in three of his five NFL seasons and was largely a special teams player in 2024. The Vikings didn't make much of a financial commitment here, and before he can prove he deserves to be part of their defensive rotation, he will need to demonstrate he can stay healthy.

Ryan Kelly, C

Kelly is leaving the Colts for a two-year, $18 million deal with the Vikings.

What it means: The Vikings will probably have a new center after six seasons with Garrett Bradbury, a first-round draft pick in 2019 who has one year remaining on his contract. It was not immediately clear if that means Bradbury will be released, or if he will change positions. But Kelly is expected to take over at center as the Vikings attempt to squeeze some final years of productivity from a player who earned four Pro Bowl berths in nine seasons with the Colts. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell declared the interior of the offensive line a high priority in the moments after the team's playoff exit against the Rams, when quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked nine times.

What's the risk: Kelly will turn 32 in May, one year after he missed seven games because of neck and knee injuries. He also suffered three concussions earlier in his career, per reports at the time. Extensive health histories aren't unusual for players of Kelly's age, but they must be taken into account and evaluated with care. If healthy, Kelly is a better center than Bradbury. But to what extent can the Vikings count on him to be a full-time player in 2025? There's no upgrade here if he's not on the field.

Isaiah Rodgers, CB

The former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback is joining the Vikings on a two-year, $15 million contract.

What it means: Cornerback is arguably the Vikings' biggest position of need, given the pending contract expiration of their top four CBs from 2024. Rodgers just turned 27, made 13 starts last season and is considered an ascending player on the field. But he alone can't and won't be the Vikings' full answer at the position. The Vikings will get back third-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who missed 2024 because of a torn ACL, and the best way to project Rodgers is as a player who will be in the mix to play starter-level snaps.

What's the risk: Rodgers missed all of 2023 after a violation of the NFL's policy on gambling, a suspension that caused the Indianapolis Colts to waive him and precipitated his move to the Eagles for 2024. The NFL found that he had bet on his own team, but Rodgers told ESPN last year that while the bets were made from his accounts, they were made for other people. Since then, the NFL has boosted player suspensions for betting on their own teams to two years. Needless to say, one mistake there would end Rodgers' time with the Vikings.

Theo Jackson, S

Jackson is sticking with the Vikings on a two-year extension worth $12.615 million (through 2027).

What it means: No team decides starting lineups in March, but the nature of this deal suggests Jackson's role will at least expand in 2025. He has spent the past three seasons as a special teams player and occasional defensive substitute behind starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum. Both Smith and Bynum are on expiring contracts and, at the time of Jackson's agreement, their return was uncertain at best. Jackson has looked great in two consecutive training camps, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores expressed regret last season that he hadn't been able to find more opportunities to get him on the field for regular-season games.

What's the risk: To be frank, the risk is largely on Jackson's side. The deal effectively took away a trip to the free agent market in his prime, one that could be more lucrative than this deal if he has a banner 2025 season. If he had simply played under a restricted free agent tender in 2025, Jackson would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring. Now the Vikings control his rights through the 2027 season. At that point, he will be 30 years old. This is a good deal for a player who has never been a starter. It just came with a cost.

Tavierre Thomas, DB

The former Buc is taking a one-year deal to join the Vikings.

What it means: Thomas is an excellent special teams player who will help fill the role of 2024 stalwart Trent Sherfield Sr., who departed via free agency this week. In seven previous seasons, Thomas has 50 special teams tackles and blocked two field goals. He can also fill in at defensive back, where the Vikings are working to remake their cornerback position. He has started 22 games in his career, with two interceptions, six passes defensed and six forced fumbles. That's not the primary reason the Vikings signed him, but it's an added bonus.

What's the risk: There isn't much here. He appeared in all 17 games last season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at age 28, playing a career-high 388 special teams snaps. The Buccaneers did not need him much for defense, and he played only 45 snaps there all season, but this move is about special teams and there is every reason to think he'll make a significant impact on the Vikings in 2025.

Eric Wilson, LB

The former Packer is headed to Minnesota with a one-year contract.

What it means: Wilson returns to the Vikings, where he spent the first four seasons of his career, to provide depth at linebacker and also a strong presence on special teams. He has twice served as a starter for injury reasons, playing 1,034 defensive snaps for the Vikings in 2020 and then 558 in 12 starts for the Packers last season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores tends to find specialized roles for many of his reserves, but Wilson's initial impact is expected to be on special teams.

What's the risk: Wilson will turn 31 in September. He has been remarkably durable in his career, having appeared in all 17 games in each of his past two seasons, and never fewer than 13 games in any season since entering the league in 2017. That history is why it's important not to view every aging player the same way.

Justin Skule, OT

The Panthers are adding the former Buc on a one-year deal.

What it means: Skule is in line to serve as the Vikings' swing tackle in 2025, a job occupied over the past two seasons largely by veteran David Quessenberry. The role takes on a particularly important meaning this season as left tackle Christian Darrisaw works his way back from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. When he was injured, the Vikings acquired Cam Robinson via trade to replace him. Robinson is now a free agent. Darrisaw's exact timetable is uncertain, but he could be pushing up against the start of the season. If so, they Vikings would need someone to start at left tackle in the short term. Skule is a candidate.

What's the risk: Skule was a part-time starter for the 49ers in 2019 and 2020, but he tore an ACL in 2021 and played in only one game over the next two seasons. But he showed he was back to form last season, starting five games and taking 361 offensive snaps, the second most in his career. Assuming their front-line players avoid serious injuries, Skule is a serviceable fit for what the Vikings need.

Tim Jones, WR

The former Jaguar is joining the Vikings on a one-year contract.

What it means: Jones joins defensive back Tavierre Thomas as an acquisition projected to help primarily on special teams. Jones played a career-high 300 snaps on special teams for the Jaguars last season, more than two-thirds of their total special teams snaps, compared to 169 on offense. In three seasons with the Jaguars, he totaled 17 receptions. The Vikings ranked No. 20 in the NFL last season in kickoff coverage and their punt coverage ranked No. 30 in the rate of punts downed inside the 10 (8.8%).

What's the risk: The only risk in stockpiling special teams players is limiting the depth for offense and defense. But the Vikings aren't there yet, and obviously those decisions don't really happen until final roster cuts are made after training camp. For now, there is no harm in identifying players who would have special teams value now and then determining this summer if there is a spot for them on the roster.

Ryan Wright, P

Wright is staying in Minnesota on a one-year, $1.5 million deal.

What it means: Wright, the Vikings' punter for the past three seasons, was set to become a restricted free agent. So this deal actually saved the Vikings cash and salary cap space. Had Wright turned down this deal and entered the RFA market, the lowest tender the Vikings could have applied to retain his services was worth $3.263 million. It seems clear the Vikings weren't willing to commit to that extent. In reality, what this means is that Wright will get an opportunity to compete for the position in training camp.

What's the risk: Wright had a strong rookie season, but his performance in 2023 and 2024 merits competition in 2025. Over that period, he ranks No. 28 in the NFL in the rate of punts downed inside the 20 (37.1%) and No. 43 for punts downed inside the 10 (6.9%). Overall, his net average per punt over the past two seasons ranks No. 23 (41.3 yards). Every team has to decide on the value of specialists, and in three seasons under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings have kept those costs low.