The new league year kicked off on Wednesday, and the Vikings had to make moves
On Wednesday at 4 PM EST, NFL teams were expected to comply and get under the salary cap as the new league year kicked off. The Vikings were busy while setting up a meeting with recently released QB Kyler Murray.
Minnesota added cornerback James Pierre from Pittsburgh with a two-year deal, but lost promising wide receiver Jalen Nailor to Las Vegas and punter Ryan Wright to New Orleans. The Vikings also released defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.
Here are the other moves and transactions:
- The Vikings have officially been awarded a third-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the 97th overall selection
- Just before the start of the legal tampering period, the Vikings and linebacker Eric Wilson agreed to the terms of a three-year contract extension
- The Vikings retained another of their in-house free agents, agreeing to a one-year deal with long snapper Andrew DePaola
- Aaron Jones, who the Vikings were said to be releasing at the start of the new league year, agreed to a revised deal to lower his base salary and stay with the team for 2026
- In a procedural move while he decides what to do for next season, the Vikings released safety Harrison Smith, designating him a post-1 June cut.
Aaron Jones sticking around was a mild shock, as it was speculated that the Vikings would move on from the veteran and draft a running back. Harrison Smith still has to decide his future, and his release isn't an indication of a decision either way.
As far as Murray goes, the new free agent will meet with a few teams about a 2027 starting choice, but Minnesota is still considered the favorite to land the former number one overall pick.
"With today's start of the new league year and transactions now official, we want to thank Kyler for everything he has done for this organization over the last seven years," Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said in a statement released Wednesday. "We are extremely grateful for his contributions both on the field and off, and we wish him nothing but the absolute best moving forward."
The Cardinals already owe Murray $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026. Releasing Murray before March 15 gets them out of another $19.5 million that would have been triggered for the 2027 campaign.
Murray would be signing a vet minimum deal in Minnesota and basically play for free for the Vikings.