The Minnesota Vikings might have missed the playoffs in 2025, but they are not far off from being back in the postseason, so that might require them to make some moves in the offseason.
This is going to require the Vikings to make some tough decisions with the roster and trade some key starters. There is one that won't surprise many fans that is at the center of the trade rumor mill.
Sources tell NFL insider Jordan Schultz that the Vikings are reportedly talking to teams about trading veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
In just one season in Minnesota, Hargrave racked up 52 tackles, six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 16 games. PFF graded him out at a 68 overall, ranking 35th out of 134 interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings are in the market to trade Javon Hargrave
This should come as no surprise, as Minnesota needs to offload Hargrave to try to save some money in the salary cap.
According to Spotrac, if the Vikings traded Hargrave before June 1, they would save about $14.9 million and have a dead cap of $6.4 million. Hargrave has just one more year on his two-year, $30 million contract he signed with Minnesota last offseason.
All the chatter shouldn't be seen as an indictment of Hargrave, as he played well last year. The Vikings are just in a massive hole, with a salary cap of over $-40 million, so they have to start moving players off the roster and lean more on cheaper options.
There is also an option where, if the Vikings can't find a trade partner for Hargrave, they might have to cut him. Minnesota would rather trade him, as they would save just $10 million if they outright cut him before June 1.
With the Vikings also wanting to bring in a veteran quarterback, they will have to create space to pay for that signal-caller. This won't be the first player in conversations about being moved, as more will have to be done.
The Vikings should expect to get a Day 3 draft pick for Hargrave, as Minnesota is asking a team to take on $15 million in 2026 for a 33-year-old defensive tackle. While Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler, he is starting to regress, and the Vikings have to start getting younger.
Hargrave's time in Minnesota certainly sounds like it's about to end, less than 365 days after signing with the team.