Minnesota Vikings’ Big Decisions Ahead for the 2025 Offseason

The Minnesota Vikings are entering the 2025 offseason knowing that significant changes are on the horizon. After a challenging 2024 season, the team is preparing for a roster overhaul, with a number of key free agents hitting the market. These decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the franchise. As free agency looms, the Vikings face some tough choices about who to keep and who to let go. The 2025 season is sure to look very different from 2024, and much of that difference will come down to how they manage their free agents.

Key Free Agents: The Future of the Vikings’ Core Players

The Vikings’ first priority in the upcoming offseason will be securing their own free agents. Among the most notable are quarterback Sam Darnold, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., and safety Camryn Bynum. However, it is Darnold who will likely be the biggest catalyst for the Vikings’ offseason moves. The team’s decision on Darnold’s future will have ripple effects on their ability to re-sign other key players and their broader salary cap strategy.

The Impact of Void Years on Free Agency Moves

The Vikings face an interesting financial situation due to “void years” on several of their key players’ contracts. Void years, which are designed to spread cap hits over several seasons, could become a complication in the team’s efforts to bring back free agents.

Some of the contracts that will void on February 17th include cornerback Stephon Gilmore, running back Aaron Jones, quarterback Sam Darnold, and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. When these contracts void, the prorated money on the salary cap will immediately accelerate to the 2025 cap, creating a potential cap crunch for the Vikings.

This sudden increase in cap hit could hinder their ability to make moves in free agency and re-sign their own players. Additionally, the base salaries attached to these void years will directly impact how much the Vikings can offer these players in contract negotiations before the start of the new league year.

Kirk Cousins’ Void Years and Its Effect on the Vikings’ Salary Cap

One of the most significant void year situations for the Vikings involves quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins’ 2023 contract restructure left $28.5 million in void years, which will count against the 2024 cap unless he signs a new extension. This void year money could complicate the Vikings’ efforts to extend or sign new deals for their free agents, especially Darnold and Murphy, who are impacted by similar financial structures.

The situation with Cousins’ contract could also affect the salary cap space available for free agents. If Cousins signs an extension, his base salaries from 2024 to 2027—effectively dummy numbers that won’t be paid—could set the stage for future contract extensions or restructures. However, these dummy numbers create a cap ceiling for any potential future deal. As per the CBA, players can’t sign a new deal with a raise within a year of signing another one, complicating any new contract negotiations with Cousins.

Sam Darnold’s Void Year and the Challenge of Retaining Him

Sam Darnold’s contract, which has a significant void year worth $30 million in base salary, is one of the trickier situations for the Vikings. The void year makes it difficult for the Vikings to offer Darnold a fair contract based on his recent performance. Given Darnold’s strong showing in the 2024 season, a two-year, $40 million contract isn’t feasible, making it more likely that he will test the market and sign with another team.

However, if the Vikings are willing to wait until the start of the new league year, they would have the flexibility to offer Darnold a contract of their choosing. This could give the Vikings a chance to bring him back at a more manageable cap hit.

The Same Challenge for Byron Murphy Jr.

The Vikings also face a similar challenge with cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. Murphy’s void year has a $10 million base salary, which limits how much the Vikings can offer him in a potential contract extension. The same flexibility applies here—waiting until the new league year begins would allow the team to offer Murphy a deal that aligns better with their cap situation. It’s also worth noting that the Vikings could potentially franchise tag either Darnold or Murphy, though this remains an option for the future.

Navigating the Cap Crunch: The Vikings’ Path Forward

The Vikings are in a tricky position heading into the 2025 offseason. While they have several strategies to work around the void year complications, they still face challenges in re-signing their key players and making new acquisitions. The team will need to be strategic in how they manage the salary cap and navigate these financial hurdles if they hope to maintain a competitive roster for the 2025 season and beyond. The decisions made in the coming months will be pivotal to the team’s future success.