The Minnesota Vikings are making big changes in 2026.
The team clearly hopes that this could be a transformational year following a dismaying 2025, which saw them go 9-8 after a 14-3 2024 season.
The team, while gearing up for free agency — which begins on March 9 — plans to cut two ex-Pro Bowlers if they can’t trade them: Starting running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, according to ESPN.
These decisions are expected to save the Vikings nearly $19 million in cap space.
The Vikings currently are nearly $43 million over the NFL’s cap, which is now listed at $301.2 million.
They could potentially save even more money by making similar decisions on other players throughout the roster.
Jones was limited due to injuries this past season, failing to replicate the impact he made in his first season in Minnesota less than two years ago.
In 2025, the 31-year-old running back rushed for 548 yards across 132 carries, also hauling in 28 receptions for 199 yards, totaling three touchdowns.
In 2024, Jones recorded a career-best 1,138 rushing yards on 255 carries with 51 receptions going for 408 receiving yards and seven touchdowns overall.
Jones, a one-time Pro Bowler, spent 2017-23 with the rival Green Bay Packers, with whom he netted over 8,000 all-purpose yards.
Hargrave, who just turned 33 in February, had a combined 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his only season with the Vikings in 2025.
Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler from his previous stints with the Philadelphia Eagles — with whom he played in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 — and the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he played in the Super Bowl one year later, also losing to KC.
He also played for the Steelers from 2016-19, the first four seasons of his NFL tenure.
