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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson speaks during a press conference on Sep. 26, 2025, at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland. Hockenson joined teammates overseas as the Vikings promoted their international presence ahead of the NFL’s continued expansion into global markets and future international showcase events. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings “took it easy” this offseason, resetting their salary cap so that 2027 and 2028 don’t feature hellish financial constraints. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the most expensive players of 2026.
Minnesota’s biggest cap hits mostly belong to stars, with one or two contracts worth watching closely.
These five men, listed in ascending order, have the largest cap hits this season (No. 1 = biggest cap number)
The Top of the MIN Payroll Is Mostly Justifiable
Men with the most cheddar by the numbers.
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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) heads off the field after pregame warmups before facing the Chicago Bears on Oct. 15, 2023, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Hockenson prepared for another NFC North matchup while serving as one of the central pass-catching weapons in Minnesota’s offense during the 2023 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
5. T.J. Hockenson | TE
Cap Number: $15.6 million
When the offseason began, many Vikings fans actually thought Hockenson would be released as a salary cap casualty. Why? Well, he’s paid as one of the most premium tight ends in the NFL, and in 2025, the Vikings used him as a blocker. Teams should not spend over $15 million per season on blocking tight ends. They can find such players in undrafted free agency.
But because Minnesota battled so many offensive line injuries, head coach Kevin O’Connell often utilized Hockenson as his sixth offensive lineman.
In 2026, the prevailing theory suggests the team will shove Hockenson back into a TE1 role, especially with Kyler Murray at quarterback, who is unafraid to throw to tight ends. See: Trey McBride.
FantasyLife‘s Ian Hartitz on Hockenson: “We’re looking at a TE who has finished the last three seasons as fantasy’s TE2 … TE18 … and TE27 … and he’s now being priced as the TE23 in early drafts! Last year, Hockenson ended August as the consensus TE5 in ADP.”
“Talk about someone being priced closer to their floor than ceiling ahead of a season in which all parties involved should see some level of improvement in the QB play department with the addition of Kyler Murray, who, you know, helped Trey McBride work as fantasy’s TE2 all the way back in … 2024.”
4. Will Fries | RG
Cap Number: $17.2 million
Fries fired up a 61.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, a decent mark but not worth his chunky contract. Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made Fries his keynote offseason addition in 2025, and through one season, the return on investment lagged.
The former Colt must bounce back in 2026 to make the huge deal worth it. Otherwise, he’ll be on the chopping block next offseason.
3. Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB
Cap Number: $19.2 million
Van Ginkel, on the other hand, is worth it.
He’s ultra-versatile, productive, and serves as glue for the Vikings’ pass rush. His role in 2026 will also be more important after Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles a month ago. In fact, one can argue that Van Ginkel is the club’s new OLB1.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) interact during the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on Jan. 30, 2025, at Nicholson Fieldhouse in Orlando, Florida. Both defenders represented their conferences while participating in Pro Bowl festivities featuring many of the NFL’s top defensive playmakers and personalities. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Van Ginkel could also be eligible for another contract extension this summer. He’ll turn 31 this summer.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick wrote about Van Ginkel’s future last month, “Since Van Ginkel is considered more of an edge rusher, the price to re-sign him is likely going to be higher than it will be to re-sign Cashman. So, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Minnesota re-signed the cheaper of the two, Cashman, and had Golday replace Van Ginkel in 2027 on a much more inexpensive contract.”
2. Justin Jefferson | WR
Cap Number: $21.2 million
The best player on the Vikings’ roster — it’s been that way for about a half-decade now — Jefferson checks in at No. 2 and is worth every penny.
He failed to produce a Jeffersonian season in 2025 because the Vikings’ quarterbacks could not find their groove. But Jefferson remained the straw that stirred the drink on offense. The 2026 campaign is of the utmost importance for Jefferson. If the Vikings don’t reach the playoffs and/or don’t stabilize the quarterback situation, he could reasonably ask for a trade next offseason, and no one would a) be surprised b) fault him for it.
In theory, if Jefferson followed Randy Moss’s timeline, 2026 would be his final year in Minnesota. Pain.
1. Brian O’Neill | RT
Cap Number: $23.1 million
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Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sep. 14, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. O’Neill continued anchoring Minnesota’s offensive line during a difficult road matchup while maintaining his reputation as one of the Vikings’ most dependable and consistent offensive performers. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Wanna see the definition of consistency? Have a gander at O’Neill’s PFF marks since 2018:
2025 — 81.6
2024 — 79.3
2023 — 74.5
2022 — 82.7
2021 — 73.4
2020 — 78.0
2019 — 70.8
2018 — 63.0
The guy never has bad seasons; his poor games are few and far between. Even dating back to the previous era, under Mike Zimmer, when Minnesota just could not figure out its offensive line troubles, O’Neill stood out as the lone stalwart of OL consistency.
And, yes, he’ll probably play marvelously again in 2026. That’s what he does.
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