Inside The Vikings

Live updates: Vikings' latest moves, rumors on roster cutdown day

We're tracking all of the Vikings' reported cuts over the course of deadline day.
Will Ragatz|
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings Winter Warrior helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings Winter Warrior helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

It's roster cutdown day in the NFL. By 3 p.m. central time, all 32 teams have to set an initial 53-man roster for the 2025 season. That won't be their exact roster for Week 1, as waiver claims and other transactions will continue throughout the week, but it establishes a starting point to work off of.

GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings have already been busy over the past week. They've traded away Harrison Phillips, Sam Howell, and Mekhi Blackmon, loading up on late-round draft capital in the process. They signed Carson Wentz to replace Howell. They've already made an initial wave of cuts. Adam Thielen discussions with the Panthers are ongoing.

Below, we'll be tracking all of the Vikings' reported cuts as they trickle in throughout the day, as well as any rumors or other news that could be noteworthy for Minnesota.

3:41 p.m. — Vikings announce official 53-man roster

Check it out at the link above.

3:22 p.m. — More undrafted rookies have made it

As we wait for the official roster from the Vikings, here's are reports that two other UDFAs have made it: WR/KR/PR Myles Price and TE Ben Yurosek. That's SIX undrafted rookies who made the cut. Pretty incredible.

3:02 p.m. — Bartholomew out for the year?

2:22 p.m. — Chaz Chambliss expected to make it

Vikings undrafted rookie OLB Chaz Chambliss is expected to make the 53-man roster, per college football reporter Matt Zenitz. The former Georgia standout had a strong preseason and surprisingly makes the cut over Gabriel Murphy (perhaps in part due to special teams value).

That's now four UDFAs expected to be on the team, with Chambliss and Elijah Williams joining Max Brosmer and Joe Huber.

2:18 p.m. — A fantastic underdog story continues

Defensive tackle Elijah Williams, who signed after attending rookie minicamp as a tryout player, is expected to make the Vikings' 53-man roster. He had a great preseason. What a cool underdog story.

1:53 p.m. — Vikings cut rookie WR

The Vikings have waived undrafted rookie receiver Dontae Fleming, who caught three passes for 71 yards in the preseason. He could be a practice squad candidate.

1:46 p.m. — Renfrow cut by Panthers

Veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow was cut by the Panthers, which would further seem to indicate that they might plan on keeping Adam Thielen (who is currently at Carolina's practice). Maybe the Vikings have interest in Renfrow instead?

12:44 p.m. — Thielen trade unlikely right now?

Adam Schefter doesn't think an Adam Thielen trade to the Vikings is likely at this point, he said on the Pat McAfee Show. Minnesota and Carolina seem to be too far apart in their discussions. Schefter mentioned K.J. Osborn as a fallback plan for MIN. Read more here.

12:18 p.m. — Another cut to the Vikings' cornerback room

Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted rookie out of Utah, had a strong offseason and training camp, but his preseason performance left plenty to be desired. The Vikings are down to four corners on their entire roster right now, so additions are undoubtedly coming.

11:49 a.m. — Brosmer and Huber confirmation

Not that there was any doubt Max Brosmer would be on the 53, this serves as confirmation.

10:59 a.m. — Huber on the 53?

Vikings undrafted rookie guard Joe Huber is expected to land on the 53-man roster after a strong preseason, per Alec Lewis. Does that mean they keep 10 offensive lineman? If not, one of Justin Skule, Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Walter Rouse would be cut.

10:56 a.m. — Other WR options?

These are a couple other names to watch at the receiver position. Robert Woods played under Kevin O'Connell in 2021, while Mecole Hardman has punt return ability.

10:44 a.m. — Safety cut

Gervarrius Owens, signed about a month ago, was a long shot. Former seventh-round pick by the Giants.

10:36 a.m. — First surprise of the day

The Vikings will waive OLB Gabriel Murphy if they can't trade him, according to Tom Pelissero. That's a legitimate surprise. Murphy had an excellent first preseason game and seemed to be fourth on the OLB depth chart. Instead, that'll likely be Bo Richter. Maybe rookie Tyler Batty or Chaz Chambliss makes the 53 too?

10:34 a.m. — CB room continues to thin

The Vikings are waiving cornerback Ambry Thomas, per Adam Schefter. The former 49ers third-round pick had an interception in the first preseason game. After trading Blackmon on Monday, the Vikings currently have just five corners on their roster. That's a position where they'll likely add.

10:17 a.m. — Thielen's wife weighs in

9:58 a.m. — OL cut

The Vikings are waiving Michael Gonzalez, who they claimed off waivers two weeks ago. He played every snap at left guard in the final preseason game.

9:56 a.m. — K.J. Osborn is a free agent

If the Vikings can't land Thielen, another wide receiver option who knows Kevin O'Connell's offense is now a free agent, as K.J. Osborn was released by the Commanders. As a five-year veteran, he won't be subject to waivers. The fit makes a lot of sense here.

9:43 a.m. — Valladay waived

The Vikings are waiving recently-signed RB Xazavian Valladay, who played well in the final preseason game but was always a long shot to stick around beyond that.

More Vikings coverage

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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