Vikings to Release Jones and Hargrave for Cap Space

The Minnesota Vikings are set to release veteran running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave at the start of the NFL's new league year on March 11, unless trades can be arranged beforehand, as the team grapples with a salary cap overrun exceeding $44 million.

The moves come amid a league-wide deadline requiring all 32 teams to comply with the 2026 salary cap of $301.2 million by 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Prior to these actions, the Vikings ranked near the bottom in available cap space, only ahead of the Dallas Cowboys. The impending releases would free up approximately $18.65 million in cap relief, according to cap analysts, though they would also incur about $17.3 million in dead money from accelerated contract guarantees. For Jones, the savings amount to roughly $7.75 million against a $14.5 million cap hit, offset by $6.8 million in dead cap. Hargrave's departure would save nearly $11 million, with a $10.5 million dead cap penalty.

These decisions stem from the Vikings' aggressive spending in the previous offseason, when they invested heavily across the roster except at quarterback. That approach has left the team in a financial bind as free agency opens at 3...