The Minnesota Vikings have taken their first major steps toward trimming a sizable salary cap deficit, informing veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they will be released later this month unless a trade materializes, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
The two moves will clear $18.65 million in cap space. Minnesota entered the weekend approximately $43 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million salary cap after aggressive spending in free agency the past two offseasons. Additional roster decisions could follow, with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and center Ryan Kelly among other potential cap casualties. The team could also explore restructures or extensions for key players such as receiver Justin Jefferson, right tackle Brian O’Neill and tight end T.J. Hockenson to further reduce their 2026 cap number.
Jones, 31, spent the past two seasons in Minnesota after beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers. He delivered a career-best workload in 2024, setting highs in touches (306), carries (255), offensive snaps (700) and rushing yards (1,138). But injuries limited him in 2025, when he appeared in 12 games and totaled 548 rushing yards and 747 yards from scrimmage — his lowest output since his 2017 rookie campaign.
A respected presence in the locker room, Jones had slipped into a secondary role behind Jordan Mason and was scheduled to earn $10 million in 2026, with a cap hit of $14.8 million.
Hargrave’s departure comes one year after he signed a two-year deal with Minnesota following a torn right triceps that cut short his 2024 season with the San Francisco 49ers. The 33-year-old started 15 games in 2025 but recorded just 3.5 sacks. He was due $15 million next season and carried a cap number of $21.7 million.
As the Vikings work to regain financial flexibility, the releases of Jones and Hargrave signal a broader roster reset could be underway.
