Vikings Offensive Free Agent Targets 2026

The Minnesota Vikings’ offense was an utter disappointment in 2025 and needs to be addressed. From competition in the quarterback room to replacing likely cut candidates, the Vikings have a lot of work to do this offseason. Here are some interesting free-agent targets at current and expected positions of need for the 2026 NFL season.

Quarterback: This is a spot that seems to be a point of emphasis for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after the absolute train-wreck mess the quarterback room experienced this season, with inconsistent play and injuries from all over.

Joe Flacco - This is a move that could really add the veteran presence JJ McCarthy needs, as well as legitimate competition at the quarterback position. At this point in Flacco’s career, there is no logical sign pointing to the 41-year-old gunslinger leading a team on a magical playoff run, but having a solid veteran with the knowledge and ability to push McCarthy in a competitive way can be invaluable. Flacco averaged 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions in just six starts with the Bengals, while also going 1–5. As stated, he is not a guy you necessarily want starting for the team, but rather someone you want in the locker room. In the case of an injury, though, we believe Flacco is more than capable of filling in for a game or two.

Russel Wilson - At 37 years old, Russell Wilson could be another positive presence in the locker room for JJ McCarthy. Russ expressed his acceptance of his role as a mentor to the young Giants quarterback, Jaxson Dart, this season and seems to have done a solid job. Wilson threw for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in three starts, going 0–3 in those games. He isn’t horrible at his age, but he definitely isn’t the physically gifted quarterback he once was. Still, he offers competition and valuable veteran insight in the locker room.

Running-Back: This is not a position of instant need for a team like the Vikings, who have issues calling run plays in general. This is more of a luxury spot if the Vikings decide to part ways with veteran Aaron Jones and move in a more youthful direction. It is assumed the position will be addressed further in the draft, but free agency is always a possibility.

Travis Etienne - Grabbing a guy like Travis Etienne would be like buying a new car when you already have a perfectly good one at home. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason bring a unique dynamic to the running-back room, but with Jones getting up there in age at 31 years old, it’s possible the Vikings try to cut ties and roll with a younger, more elusive back with years left to play. Etienne totaled 1,399 all-purpose yards this season with 13 touchdowns after a disappointing slump in 2024. He looked like his old self from 2023 and earned a payday in 2026—whether that’s in Jacksonville or not remains to be seen.

Tight-End: If you were told three years ago that the Vikings needed a tight end, you would’ve thought we were crazy, but TJ Hockenson’s production decline since his brutal injury in 2023 has been, for lack of a better term, disappointing.

Isaiah Likely - This is a guy that we really like. Isaiah Likely was drafted in the fourth round out of Coastal Carolina in 2022 and has been great for the Baltimore Ravens. Being a mid-round pick and playing alongside one of the best tight ends in Mark Andrews over the last couple of years really shows how good he truly is. Likely has posted over 400 yards and five-plus touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. With Mark Andrews recently receiving a new contract from Baltimore, it’s expected that Likely will sign elsewhere for an expanded role in an offense and a pretty good payday. The Vikings could be a prime spot for Isaiah Likely, with TJ Hockenson’s future in Minnesota being up in the air. Likely is a great pass catcher and can really stretch the field from the tight-end position.

Center: The Vikings desperately need to find a solution at the center position. Ryan Kelly suffered multiple concussions this season, missing nine games and leaving three others early. It’s safe to say that Kelly will either retire from the NFL or become a cap casualty for the Vikings and be let go.

Tyler Linderbaum - The Vikings need to find a new solution at center again this offseason, and Linderbaum could be it. He posted a 79.8 PFF grade (5th overall), ranking 4th in run blocking and 22nd in pass blocking. He is only 25 years old and still has plenty of room to improve on an already successful young career. Linderbaum has missed just two games over his first four seasons in the league and has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. This could be a big move for a team that consistently has issues along the interior of its offensive line, whether due to injuries or inconsistent play.

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