Every successful NFL team has some unsung heroes who don't put up big numbers, have a big contract, etc. Tight end Josh Oliver has certainly been one for the Minnesota Vikings, with Pro Football grading him out in the top-10 overall at the position in each of the last two seasons.
Even with that latter point in mind, Oliver made a surprising appearance on PFF's tight end rankings heading into the 2025 season, coming in at No. 21.
"If there were a fantasy football league that prioritized run blocking, Oliver would be one of the first off the board. His 76.5 PFF run-blocking grade over the past two seasons ranks second at the position, behind George Kittle, and his 77.2 PFF overall grade ranks eighth."
Oliver is heading into the final year of the three-year, $21 million contract he signed with the Vikings in 2023. The 28-year old should be able to do noticeably better than former Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt did this offseason (two years, $5.5 million from the Jacksonville Jaguars), in what may be the last notable contract of his career.
Josh Oliver feels like a lock to leave the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 free agency
As we noted in highlighting Oliver as one of the Vikings players who will be playing for a contract in 2025, other teams could dive into his tape and see someone they can make their TE1. As long as T.J. Hockenson is healthy, and he's now further removed from his torn ACL late in the 2023 season, that isn't happening in Minnesota this season.
The root of the conversation involved another Viking who's entering the final year of his contract, but Darren Wolfson of KSTP Sports brought up Oliver during an appearance on SKOR North last week.
"I think, at this point, Josh Oliver hits unrestricted free agency next March, which my understanding is, he would be okay with", Wolfson said. "He’s moved around already. He sure likes it here, he is banking on himself having a good year this year, then being in a position to sign a third contract, maybe even back here. But not signing a contract extension like before training camp. I don’t think that is happening unless things change. But right now, in the moment, no movement on the Josh Oliver front.”
It seems Oliver will be comfortable hitting the open market next March. Even if the Vikings make an effort to bring him back, a noted lack of 2026 cap space will play into how competitive an offer they can make.
So as long as he stays healthy this season, with the tea leaves already growing in that regard, Oliver is a practical lock to land elsewhere in 2026 free agency.