2024 Offseason Discussion (moves, rumors, hopes & dreams!)

Key free agents

Kirk Cousins

QB | 35 | 2023 cap hit: $20.25 million

Both Cousins and the Vikings have indicated their interest in a reunion in 2024; whether it actually happens could come down to the structure of the contract they'd likely try to finalize before March 13. The Vikings added two void years to Cousins' deal in 2023, which means $28.5 million in dead money would hit their salary cap if they don't sign the quarterback before then. If the Vikings work out a new deal with Cousins, they would count only $10.25 million of the dead money against their cap this season, in addition to whatever new money he receives.

Multiple sources have said Cousins sought guarantees through 2025 last year, and talks broke down when the Vikings were willing to offer only two years' worth of guarantees through 2024. A two-year contract this year could mean guarantees into 2025; if the Vikings offer such a deal and Cousins is willing to sign for a figure that's slightly below what he'd get on the open market, the two sides could find their way back to one another again.

Danielle Hunter

Edge | 29 | 2023 cap hit: $20.95 million

Hunter thrived in Brian Flores' defense, which turned him loose as a pass rusher again. His career-high 16½ sacks led the NFC, and he ranked third in the conference in quarterback pressures with 41. He signed a five-year, $72 million extension in 2018 that quickly became outdated, and Hunter's camp first expressed its disapproval over the deal in 2020. The Vikings have restructured the deal annually since then, and now that Hunter is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career before his 30th birthday, he could be seeking the top-of-market deal his camp has long wanted. If he returns to Minnesota, it could be because of his affinity for the coaching staff and a creative set of negotiations from Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' executive vice president of football operations.

Jordan Hicks

LB | 31 | 2023 cap hit: $5 million

The Vikings need to decide whether to offer a new deal to Hicks, who accepted a pay cut before 2023 and thrived in Flores' defense before a Nov. 12 injury that required emergency surgery to address compartment syndrome in his right leg. Hicks will be 32 in June, but ran the Vikings' defensive huddle while blitzing more than he had in years, recording 107 tackles in 13 games and scoring his first defensive touchdown since his rookie year. If he's open to an affordable deal, the Vikings could bring him back to play with Ivan Pace Jr. after Brian Asamoah II seemed to fall out of favor in the defense.

D.J. Wonnum

Edge | 26 | 2023 cap hit: $2.93 million

Wonnum became the counterpart to Hunter the Vikings hoped they were getting in Marcus Davenport, matching a career high with eight sacks while scoring his first career touchdown on a fumble return against Carolina. A torn quadriceps muscle on Dec. 24 ended Wonnum's season, and his free agent value could depend on teams' comfort level with his recovery. The Vikings should have a better sense of that than any other team, though, and Wonnum could be a candidate to return if the Vikings believe he's likely to keep improving under Flores.

Dalton Risner

G | 28 | 2023 cap hit: $2.63 million

Risner stepped in as the starting left guard after Ezra Cleveland was injured (and subsequently traded) in October. He did not allow a sack in 12 games, and has said he wants to return to Minnesota in 2024. The Vikings could be interested in bringing him back, and after spending more than six months as a free agent in 2023, Risner could be looking to settle his 2024 destination earlier in the year. If he can agree with the Vikings on a reasonable deal, he could return.

K.J. Osborn

WR | 26 | 2023 cap hit: $2.81 million

The Vikings drafted Jordan Addison 23rd overall last spring, knowing Osborn was headed for free agency in 2024, and even with Jefferson missing seven games, Osborn's numbers slipped in 2023 as he fell behind T.J. Hockenson and Addison in the offense. Osborn caught 48 passes for 540 yards, down from 60 and 650 in 2022. The Vikings have valued his leadership and reliability as a No. 3 receiver, but the former fifth-round pick could head into free agency in search of a bigger role than he'd likely have in Minnesota going forward.

Marcus Davenport

Edge | 27 | 2023 cap hit: $6.2 million

The Vikings signed Davenport to a one-year, $13 million deal last offseason, knowing he might become the replacement for Za'Darius Smith if the pass rusher left because of discontentment with his contract. The injury-prone Davenport played only 118 snaps, though, and as promising as he looked in his brief stints on the field, his extended absences because of ankle injuries would seem to make him unlikely to return in 2024.

Jonathan Bullard

DL | 30 | 2023 cap hit: $1.07 million

Bullard played a career-high 644 snaps in 2023 and finished the season with two sacks. His deal in 2023 qualified for the veteran minimum salary benefit. The Vikings could look for upgrades along the defensive line that might reduce his playing time during his age-31 season, but could view Bullard as an affordable piece that adds value to their defensive line. It's reasonable to think they could bring him back on another veteran minimum deal.

Brandon Powell

WR | 28 | 2023 cap hit: $1.093 million

Powell played a larger role late in the season and set career highs in catches (29) and yards (324) as a result. His value on special teams could also pique the Vikings' interest in bringing him back on another affordable contract, and Powell's familiarity with O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips could make the Vikings an attractive spot for Powell.

Greg Joseph

K | 29 | 2023 cap hit: $2 million

Joseph improved on extra points in 2023, hitting 94.7% of them after making only 87% in 2022, but still struggled on longer field goals: all six of his misses were from 40 yards or more. The Vikings could look to bring him back on a similar deal to the one-year contract they gave him last year, but might explore competition for him again this spring.

Cut/trade/restructure candidates

Harrison Smith
Harrison Phillips
Dean Lowry
Byron Murphy Jr.

Extension candidates

Justin Jefferson
Christian Darrisaw