Vikings are actively discussing trading star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, aiming for draft picks and salary cap relief as they reshape their roster.
The Minnesota Vikings may not have the moves to show for it, but they are being active in building their 2026 roster. The activity now is primarily based in planning the moves they are set to make rather than making them.
Among the preliminary activity for the Vikings is trade discussion. And while we know the team will be talking to other franchises about potential quarterback additions, the trade talks will not be limited to football's most important position.
The latest Minnesota player under trade consideration comes on the defensive side of the football. NFL insider Jordan Shultz shares that the Vikings are weighing options for a potential trade of star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. He posted the following on the social media platform, "X."
"Sources: The #Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave.
Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota."
It's uncertain that the Vikings will be eager to trade Hargrave. The imposing defensive tackle was productive in 2026 with 3.5 sacks from the defensive interior. That level of production is not easy to come by on the inside like we expect from edge rushers. Getting to the quarterback simply comes with more obstacles for Hargrave and other defensive tackles.
The Vikings will, however, be eager to receive value in trades, some of which will come in the way of draft picks and salary cap relief. With the team hamstrung in some ways by the deals it made an offseason ago, Minnesota may have to let multiple good players go by way of trades and free agency.
The ultimate issue for the team is that the Vikings did not get enough production from the offense, particularly at the quarterback position. Were Minnesota to have had a similar season to what it had in 2024, going 14-3 and making the postseason, the Vikings might be making more of an effort to keep the current roster together. They didn't match their 2024 campaign and as a result may have to construct the roster differently to accommodate a move to add another quarterback.
What is peculiar is that the news leaked without a deal. That doesn't bode well if the team is to retain Hargrave. We will see what comes out of the trade talks, but as of Shultz's report, he is still a Minnesota Viking.