The Minnesota Vikings plan to prioritize strengthening the interior of their offensive line in free agency, but with nearly $64 million in salary cap space, they should also invest in the defensive line.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams is set to become a free agent on March 12. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert predicted on March 5 that Williams will sign with Minnesota on a four-year, $96 million deal, with $75 million guaranteed.
Seifert noted that the Vikings attempted to sign free agent Christian Wilkins last season to bolster their interior defensive line and will make another effort this year. “Over the past two seasons, they have recorded 91 sacks, but only nine have come from defensive tackles,” he wrote.
Williams, who will be 26 next season, is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, including the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts that the Vikings will ultimately outbid the Broncos to land him.
Graziano explained that the decision came down to Minnesota and Denver, with the Vikings securing the deal by offering a fourth year and a stronger guarantee. “This is also a team that won 14 games last season, and while Denver’s trajectory is promising, the Vikings are already a contender,” he wrote. “They give Williams the best chance to return to the Super Bowl soon.”
Vikings Likely to Lose QB Sam Darnold in Free Agency
The Vikings had the option to use the franchise tag, with quarterback Sam Darnold and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. being the most likely candidates.
Ultimately, Minnesota decided against using the franchise tag on either player, as tagging Darnold would have cost over $40 million for a one-year deal, while Murphy’s tag would have exceeded $20 million, according to Over The Cap.
With the high demand for starting quarterbacks this offseason and limited supply, Darnold has become one of the most sought-after free agents at the position and is now likely to leave. As a result, Minnesota is expected to move forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy while seeking a veteran to serve as his backup or a bridge starter for 2025.
Vikings Secondary Faces Significant Turnover in 2025
Murphy, a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, could command up to $22 million per year in free agency after an impressive 2024 season in which he recorded six interceptions.
Murphy will be the most costly player for the Vikings to retain in their secondary, but they face a bigger challenge with four of their five starters set to hit free agency in less than a week. Additionally, veteran safety Harrison Smith could opt to retire, or Minnesota may need to move on from him unless they can agree on a contract restructure, as his current deal would cost the team $25 million in 2026.
The Vikings have openly stated their plans to invest in the offensive line this offseason and could target Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries on a multiyear deal.
