All the Minnesota Vikings Players Set to Hit Free Agency in 2024
It's always important to plan ahead in sports. Although the Vikings' current focus is on the upcoming 2023 season, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff are also looking multiple years into the future as they map out the franchise's path.
It's helpful for fans to have some context of what the future might look like, too. So with that in mind, let's glance ahead to next spring by taking a look at all of the Vikings' impending free agents. There are 29 of them — basically a third of the current roster — and we'll break them into several groups.
The quarterback
- QB Kirk Cousins
By now, it's well known that the Vikings decided not to extend Cousins this offseason, meaning he'll hit free agency next spring for the first time since he signed with Minnesota in 2018. The durable veteran should get paid quite well by some team in 2024, but just how much he'll command will be determined by his '23 campaign.
The extension candidates
- OLB Danielle Hunter
- TE T.J. Hockenson
It seems unlikely that either of these star players actually hits free agency next year. Hockenson is expected to be extended by the Vikings at some point this summer, while Hunter will almost certainly be extended or traded before the season rolls around. Players this good rarely hit the open market for a reason.
The Vikings' 2020 draft picks
- G Ezra Cleveland
- OLB D.J. Wonnum
- DT James Lynch
- WR K.J. Osborn
- LB Troy Dye
- T Blake Brandel
- S Josh Metellus
These are seven players from the Vikings' 15-man 2020 draft class. Among the other eight, seven are elsewhere and one is Justin Jefferson, the superstar who won't be a free agent next year even if no extension is signed this offseason (because of the fifth-year option).
This is an important contract year for all of these players. Osborn and Cleveland will play huge roles for the Vikings' offense, but the other five are currently backups — and some aren't even locks to make the roster. Watch out for Metellus, the special teams captain, as a breakout candidate on defense.
The one-year deals
- OLB Marcus Davenport
- OL Oli Udoh
- K Greg Joseph
- DL Jonathan Bullard
- WR Brandon Powell
- LB Troy Reeder
- DL Sheldon Day
- OL Austin Schlottmann
- CB Joejuan Williams
These are all players the Vikings added or retained on one-year deals this offseason. Davenport is easily the most notable one, having signed a prove-it deal for $13 million after five seasons with the Saints. He's a starting outside linebacker for Brian Flores' defense and can swing his future earnings in a big way with a productive season.
The rest
- WR Jalen Reagor
- LB Jordan Hicks
- DL Ross Blacklock
- OL Chris Reed
- TE Johnny Mundt
- CB Tay Gowan
- DL Khyiris Tonga
- OL Sam Schlueter
- OL Josh Sokol
- S Theo Jackson
This is an interesting mix. Reagor and Blacklock were early 2020 draft picks who the Vikings acquired last year in cutdown day trades, but both are firmly on the bubble this year. Hicks is a starting linebacker entering his second season in Minnesota. Mundt and Tonga could play important roles in 2023.
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