Cap constraints force a surprising defensive tackle release. A former Pro Bowler departs as the Vikings scramble to rebuild their roster.
The Minnesota Vikings are continuing their roster rebuild this offseason. The rebuild starts with getting under the salary cap, or at least closer to it. Doing so involves making roster cuts.
The Vikings were big spenders over the last couple of offseasons. Some deals were more effective than others, but the majority of free agent additions did not pan out like Minnesota may have hoped they would. For that reason, now the team is forced to make tough decisions on which players to let go, some of which might still be quality players.
One cut that it appears we can add to the list is a notable name at defensive tackle. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler shared the following update.
"The Vikings are expected to release DT Jonathan Allen due to salary cap constraints, per sources.
The former Pro Bowler had 68 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 17 starts. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap and need to get under, thus the move."
The roster cut may seem personal to some, but it is not necessarily so. The Vikings have significant improvements to make on the offensive side of the football, where the team was barely functional at times this season. Some would argue the unit was not functional at all at its lowest points.
Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and backups Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer were not difference makers for the team in 2026. It's conceivable all three could be back for next season, but all in backup roles.
The Vikings need to add a quarterback above everything and being well over the cap before they even sign another signal caller isn't feasible. So, players like Jonathan Allen, productive and talented as they might be, are not going to be guaranteed to stay for the Vikings.
What the potential move does highlight is the failure of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era of general managing. Adofo-Mensah made some good moves, particularly signing now Super Bowl winning quarterback Sam Darnold to a cheap contract to eventually become a quality starter. Of course, Adofo-Mensah let him walk to this year's championship Seattle Seahawks and the rest is history.
Many of the free agent deals Adofo-Mensah made and contracts the general manager put into effect will be exiting Minnesota as they undo the tangled web that was the 2025 Vikings. We'll monitor what other moves could come afterward for the team.