Inside The Vikings

Minnesota Vikings 2025 free agency tracker: Day 3 news and rumors

  • Is Aaron Rodgers still a possibility in Minnesota?
  • What about Cooper Kupp?
  • Will the Vikings spend big on any of the remaining top free agents?
Joe Nelson|
Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah | Images Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

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Minnesota Vikings

The 2025 NFL league year begins Wednesday and with it will come the ability for players to sign contracts. Many of the handshake deals have been reported over the first two days of the league's legal negotiating period, including major additions for the Minnesota Vikings.

Here are some of the big stories we've been tracking the past 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the news and rumors keep coming. We'll be providing updates all day Wednesday, so check back for the latest.

9:03 p.m. — Adam Thielen returning to Panthers

The former Vikings receiver is set to return to the Carolina Panthers for a 12th NFL season after finalizing a new deal with the franchise, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

8:49 p.m. — Mac Jones off the board

The Vikings are still in search of a veteran quarterback to back up J.J. McCarthy, but we know it won't be Mac Jones. Jones agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

7: 50 p.m. — The Hitman returns

The Vikings and Harrison Smith agreed to a reworked contract for 2025 that officially keeps the veteran in safety in Minnesota next season, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. Smith had been contemplating retirement this offseason.

4:35 p.m. — Second-wave signings flowing in

With the new league year underway, there's been another wave of free agent signings on Wednesday afternoon. Former Lions guard Kevin Zeitler is headed to the Titans. Ex-Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is signing with the Seahawks. And a couple cornerbacks, Jonathan Jones and Benjamin St-Juste, have found new homes as well.

3:20 p.m. — Aaron Rodgers 'intrigued' by idea of playing for Vikings

"Vikings decision-makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers," says Dianna Russini of The Athletic. "The four-time MVP is intrigued by the idea of playing in Minnesota."

3:17 p.m. — Vikings sign journeyman cornerback Tavierre Thomas

The 29-year-old cornerback agreed to undisclosed terms. He's played 1,668 defensive snaps and 1,869 special teams snaps in his career, having played in all 17 games—mostly on special teams—with Tampa Bay in 2024.

3:07 p.m. — Javon Hargrave gets $30 million over two years

According to Tom Pelissero, the Vikings and Hargrave have agreed to a two-year deal worth $30 million. Hargrave was formally released by the 49ers on Wednesday and signing with Minnesota was expected. At $15 million annually, he's making $5 million less annually than fellow defensive tackle signing Jonathan Allen.

2:33 p.m. — Vikings at least "entertaining" the Aaron Rodgers outcome

1:59 p.m. — Sauce Gardner has seen the fake trade speculation

1:02 p.m. — Rams officially releasing Cooper Kupp

It always seemed unlikely that the Rams would be able to trade Kupp, given the amount of money left on his contract. Tom Pelissero broke the news that LA has informed Kupp he'll be released today, making him a free agent. He should have no shortage of interest around the league, and the Vikings could certainly be in that mix. According to one insider, the Packers, Seahawks, and Titans are also potential landing spots.

1:00 p.m. — Marcus Mariota re-signing with Commanders

Mariota is reportedly getting $8 million on a one-year deal to return to Washington, which is good money for a backup quarterback. The Vikings are in the backup QB market as well, but Mariota wasn't one of the top five candidates we highlighted in an article today.

10:16 a.m. — No mention of Vikings in Rapoport's Rodgers response

"I know a lot of people think it's going to be today for Aaron Rodgers, but it might not be," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said. "He's considering the Steelers and the Giants. It does seem like money will not be an issue."

9:10 a.m. — Aaron Rodgers' decision could take a month?

The biggest quarterback domino yet to fall is Rodgers, who is likely deciding between the Giants and Steelers (though he's also been rumored to have interest in Minnesota). Apparently, that domino might not fall for a while. That's per NFL Network's Peter Schrager, who said Rodgers could take up to four weeks to make his decision.

8:55 a.m. — Alec Lewis's take on what's ahead for the Vikings

8:02 a.m. — Vikings made Daniel Jones an offer

"They do seem, right now, to have their quarterback in J.J. McCarthy," Ian Rapoport said Wednesday morning on NFL Network. "Daniel Jones goes to Indianapolis, which they were in there, they made an offer. It became clear he was moving on from them."

7:56 a.m. — What's on deck today for the Vikings?

Notice how ESPN's Kevin Seifert is among the insiders who aren't quite ready to cross Aaron Rodgers off Minnesota's list? Interesting.

Published | Modified
Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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