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EspañolThe Minnesota Vikings have informed veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they will be released at the start of the 2026 NFL league year, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
The moves will save Minnesota a reported $18.65 million against the salary cap in 2026. The team still has some moves to make before the league year opens on March 11.
Prior to the moves, the Vikings were estimated to be $44,353,590 over the official salary cap of $301.2 million for the 2026 season, per Spotrac. All 32 NFL teams are required to be compliant with the salary cap by March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Sources: Vikings have informed running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, they will be released at the start of the league year this month.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2026
Jones’ release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the cap, Hargrave’s $10.9 million. pic.twitter.com/s5DdCTOWTX
Jones, 31, has been with the Vikings since joining the team as a free agent prior to the 2024 season. He has started in each of his 29 appearances with the team, totaling 1,686 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground with another 607 yards and three touchdowns through the air as a starter.
The Pro Bowler and nine-year vet started his career with the Green Bay Packers as a fifth-round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft class prior to his two-year stint in Minnesota, leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in his 2019 campaign.
However, Jordan Mason overtook Jones on the running back depth chart this past season. He rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns to Jones' 548 yards and two scores. At 26, Mason is also five years younger. He's under contract for one more season with the Vikings at a base salary of $4.73 million, according to Spotrac.
Hargrave, 32, spent the 2025 season with the Vikings, totaling 3.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles over 16 games played (15 starts). After starting his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a former third-round pick, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2020, spending the next three seasons there and earning his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021.
Like Jones, Hargrave also lost playing time during the season to a younger player. Jalen Redmond, 26, registered 6 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 65 total tackles, and was also credited with 5 passes defended.
Redmond is not yet signed for the 2026 season, but is an exclusive-rights free agent. That means Minnesota can keep him by extending a qualifying offer, which would prevent him from negotiating with other teams. Redmond was signed by the Vikings to their practice squad before the 2024 season after being waived by the Carolina Panthers.
Vikings also looking to add QB to compete with J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings also intend to bring in another quarterback to compete with J.J. McCarthy, either to raise his level of play or to take over the starting position if he struggles again this season.
Among possible targets for Minnesota are the Las Vegas Raiders' Geno Smith and Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. The team could trade for either player, but is more likely to wait until they're cut before their 2026 contract guarantees activate before the third day of the new league year.
If neither of those options works out, the Vikings could pursue older veterans such as Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers. Other trade possibilities could include Anthony Richardson Sr. of the Indianapolis Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles' Tanner McKee and Davis Mills of the Houston Texans.