Vikings 2025 free agents: Who stays and who goes?

Camryn Bynum of Minnesota Vikings is challenged by Allen Lazard of New York Jets during the NFL match between New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2024 in London, England.  ((Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images))

The Minnesota Vikings season is over and by all accounts, the team exceeded outside expectations despite an early exit from the NFC Playoffs.

The Vikings finished 14-4, and were one win away from having the No. 1 seed and home field in the playoffs. Instead, the season abruptly ended after losses to the Lions and Rams. We wait to see what the Vikings’ ownership group will do with Kevin ‘Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ahead of the 2025 season.

The Vikings have 20 players who become free agents when the league year opens in March. Here, we take a look at 10 of them and whether they stay or go.

The offensive players

Sam Darnold: Darnold had a career year, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But his two worst games of the season came against the Lions and Rams to end the season. Do the Vikings bring him back, franchise tag and trade him or let him walk? They’re ready for J.J. McCarthy to take over if he’s healthy, it’s just a matter of if they try to get assets for Darnold.

Cam Robinson: The Vikings traded for Cam Robinson after Christian Darrisaw went down for the season with a torn ACL. Robinson did well for his role over a short time, but gave up 21 pressures over the last two games. Robinson heads elsewhere, with Darrisaw back in 2025.

Cam Akers: Akers served as a quality back-up to Aaron Jones, rushing for 444 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and coming off his second torn Achilles. He wants to be back if the Vikings will have him.

Dalton Risner: Risner played in 10 games this year and made eight starts when Ed Ingram went to the bench. He’s not interested in being a depth piece, but should be able to crack the Vikings’ starting offensive line next season. He’ll return if the price is right.

Aaron Jones: Jones ran for 1,138 yards and had five rushing touchdowns. He also had 51 catches for 408 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He played in all 17 games, and was loved in the locker room. The Viking will try to bring him back.

The defensive players

Harrison Smith: Smith has played all 13 seasons with the Vikings and has 37 career interceptions. He had three this season, along with 87 tackles and one sack in 16 starts. Smith was very emotional in the locker room after the Rams’ loss, suggesting he might be headed for retirement.

Byron Murphy Jr.: Murphy led the Vikings with six interceptions as the defense led the NFL with 24 overall. He had 81 tackles, and six tackles for loss. His price might be too high for the Vikings, even if they want him back.

Stephon Gilmore: Gilmore signed with the Vikings during training camp and had 56 tackles and one interception in 15 games. He’s 34 years old, and the Vikings might be looking to get younger in the secondary.

Cam Bynum: Bynum had three interceptions and 96 tackles in 17 starts. He orchestrated turnover celebrations, and is arguably the most vocal player in the locker room that’s not a team captain. The Vikings want him back, but the price will have to be right.

Pat Jones II: Jones flourished under Brian Flores this season, getting a career-high seven sacks in 15 games. He missed the end of the season with a knee injury, but was a key depth piece on the defensive line. It’s hard to imagine the Vikings not bringing him back.

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