Change appears to be inevitable for the Minnesota Vikings as they attempt to overcome their 9-8 disappointment of the 2025 season and move forward.
While the offense had several issues that still need to be figured out this offseason, the defense was up to the challenge of carrying the team throughout the season. One of the breakout stars of the unit was defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who is set to become an exclusive rights free agent.
With some Vikings fans expressing concern about Redmond returning to the team in 2026, one Vikings reporter is putting those concerns to rest. KSTP's Darren Wolfson spoke about the situation and how Minnesota will do whatever it takes to bring Redmond back.
“Bottom line, Jalen Redmond is going to be back with the Vikings. Vikings fans shouldn’t be worried about losing him in March in free agency.”
Jalen Redmond must be a top priority for the Minnesota Vikings to bring back for the 2026 season
Redmond turned in quite the season in just his second season in the NFL after playing in the United Football League with the Arlington Renegades in 2024. That trip to spring football helped him get into the NFL with the Vikings, and he quickly went from role player in 2024 to full-time starter in 2025.
During this past season, Redmond racked up 62 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 pressures, eight quarterback hits, six sacks, five pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 17 games. He ended up second on the team in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks.
With Redmond being an exclusive rights free agent, all the Vikings have to do is offer him a one-year contract. If Minnesota does that, he will not be able to negotiate a contract with any other NFL team.
The Vikings should consider offering him a longer contract than that, as they may be leaning towards a youth movement in the offseason with their roster. Some of the veterans they spent big money on during last offseason did not quite live up to the expectations.
Redmond proved to be one of the team's top pass rushers and run stoppers at age 26. The Vikings might already have big departures coming with defensive coordinator Brian Flores being a head coach and defensive coordinator candidate for multiple teams, so keeping some of the key pieces to the defense, like Redmond, would be huge.
There will be plenty of headlines this offseason for the Vikings, with most surrounding the quarterback position, but one headline that shouldn't command much attention is Redmond's free agency because the Vikings won't let that last too long.