Preparing for the 2026 NFL season is the top priority for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Making sure there is enough talent to be competitive in an extremely challenging NFC will be a true test for how the franchise fares in assembling its roster.
While the headlines will be full of big names getting contract extensions, signing as free agents, or getting traded, it is big for the Vikings if they are able to retain their contributors from the 2025 NFL season.
The Minnesota Vikings have tendered two exclusive rights free agents to increase the odds of having them available for the 2026 NFL season.
On Friday, it was announced by ESPN insider Adam Schefter that the Minnesota Vikings have offered a tender to exclusive rights free agent edge rusher Bo Richter.
Vikings tendered exclusive rights free agent LB Bo Richter.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2026
Richter spent his second season with the Vikings in 2025 after being an undrafted free agent in 2024. He played in all 17 games for Minnesota last season, registering 52 defensive snaps and 372 special teams reps.
Richter could be moving up the purple and gold depth chart with Jonathan Greenard on the trading block and 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner likely to step into a starting role in his place in 2026.
In addition, KSTP and SKOL North's Darren Wolfson followed up on that post by sharing that running back Zavier Scott also received a tender. The 26-year-old was an undrafted free agent of the Colts before coming to the Vikings in 2025.
Tendering RB Zavier Scott, too. No surprise. #Vikings https://t.co/gZuGFoVhfS
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 6, 2026
Scott played in 16 games for Minnesota in 2025. Offensively, he played 105 snaps while adding 149 special teams snaps, bringing his total to 254 snaps last season. That contribution is well worth a tender to keep the exclusive rights free agent with the team.
In 32 rushing attempts for the Vikings, Scott gained 114 yards and picked up six first downs. As a receiver, he caught 14 of his 16 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. That is a decent contribution for a young player with limited opportunities.
Keeping two inexpensive young contributors by tendering them as exclusive rights free agents is a smart way for the Minnesota Vikings to keep the talent level high and the depth at multiple positions strong for the 2026 NFL season. Hopefully, these two young players can continue to grow and develop as they spend more time with the purple and gold in 2026.