Are the Wilf family preparing to sell the Minnesota Vikings? It's a question gaining traction as the team's spending habits take a surprising turn. Last offseason, the Vikings invested a league-high $350 million in player payroll, signaling championship ambitions. This year, however, they've slashed spending to just $226 million—the second-lowest in the NFL. While the organization won't admit it publicly, this dramatic shift looks a lot like a rebuilding year.
The cost-cutting moves are hard to ignore. In March, the Vikings released defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, saving significant cap space. Their first pick in the recent draft, No. 18 overall, was a defensive tackle: 6-foot-6, 330-pound Caleb Banks from Florida. But Banks comes with risk—his left foot has been surgically repaired twice in the past year due to fractures. With their top third-round pick, they doubled down on the defensive line, selecting Iowa State's Domonique Orange on a rookie contract.
The most telling move? Trading standout linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who promptly signed a $100 million deal ($50 million guaranteed) with the Philadelphia Eagles. At 28 and in his prime, Greenard was a cornerstone player. The Vikings received two third-round picks in return and saved $19 million. Strangely, they didn't draft a third pass rusher to fill the void left by his departure.
On Day 2 of the draft, the Vikings selected 6-foot-8, 320-pound offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern. This could signal the end of Brian O'Neill's tenure in Minnesota. O'Neill, who turns 31 in September, is entering the final season of a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Tiernan's arrival suggests the team is already planning for life after O'Neill.
The Vikings also addressed their need for speed at running back. With Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason currently on the roster, they drafted Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne in the sixth round. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Claiborne brings explosive speed—he's clocked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash.
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline is at quarterback. The Vikings signed free agent Kyler Murray to a bargain $1.3 million deal in March. If both Murray and J.J. McCarthy fail to secure the job next season, the team could be eyeing the 2027 draft for a franchise quarterback. Unlike this year's weak QB class, 2027 looks loaded with talent: Texas' Arch Manning, Oregon's Dante Moore, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame's C.J. Carr are among the top prospects. Based on next season's schedule—ranked 11th toughest in the NFL—the Vikings are projected to pick in the middle of the first round in 2027, perfectly positioned to grab a quarterback of the future.