7 Vikings who could be entering their final season with the team in 2024

This offseason, we saw the Minnesota Vikings make a number of significant changes to their roster. They parted ways with some longtime contributors like Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter while also adding multiple intriguing new pieces to their team, like Jonathan Greenard, Aaron Jones, J.J. McCarthy, and Dallas Turner.

Minnesota makes adjustments to their roster every offseason and they'll continue to do so in 2025 as well. With 36 of their current players in the final years of their contracts with the team, the Vikings will be faced with a number of difficult decisions after the upcoming season.

Minnesota could also choose to move on from a few players who don't have expiring contracts in 2025 in order to create some additional cap space. So, when looking at their current roster, who are a few Vikings players that could be entering their final season with the franchise?

Minnesota Vikings who could be entering their final season with the team in 2024

Byron Murphy - CB

Signed with Minnesota as a free agent during the 2023 offseason, Byron Murphy was easily the best cornerback on the team's roster last year. Since he's still only 26, it will be interesting to see if the Vikings attempt to keep him around past 2024 if he has another solid performance next season.

Harrison Phillips - DL

One of the first notable veteran free agents signed by Minnesota's current regime back in 2022, Harrison Phillips has played well during his time with the team, but his presence as a leader in the locker room has probably made the biggest impact.

Phillips's contract expires after the 2024 season, and he will turn 29-years-old in January. The Vikings should be able to afford to re-sign him in 2025, but it will depend on whether or not they want to get young on the defensive line.

Brian O'Neill - RT

Brian O'Neill's contract doesn't expire until 2027, but the 2025 offseason will be the first time that Minnesota can move on from the Pro Bowl offensive tackle without losing cap space.

The Vikings moving on from O'Neill before his contract is up probably has a better chance of happening in 2026. But if he struggles or misses a significant amount of time next season due to injury, Minnesota moving on from the veteran offensive lineman in 2025 is something that shouldn't be ruled out.

Aaron Jones - RB

Aaron Jones seemed pretty excited to sign with the Vikings this year after spending the first seven seasons of his NFL career as a member of the Green Bay Packers. Will Jones stick around in Minnesota for more than just one year, or will 2024 be the only time he suits up in a purple and gold uniform during his time in the league?

Brandon Powell - WR

In need of a better punt returner, the Vikings brought in Brandon Powell last season, and in addition to his return skills, he turned out to be a solid receiver also.

Minnesota clearly thought he performed well in 2023, as they re-signed him earlier this year. With K.J. Osborn now out of the picture, will Powell establish himself as the Vikings' No. 3 wide receiver next season and earn himself another contract from the team when his expires in 2025?

Patrick Jones II - EDGE

The only one to really survive from the terrible group of four third-round draft selections made by Minnesota in 2021, Patrick Jones II hasn't been able to emerge as a starter during his time with the team, but he's had some decent moments as a situational pass rusher.

Perhaps getting another season in Brian Flores's defense and 2024 being a contract year will cause Jones to elevate his play to an entirely new level next season. But based on his first three years with the Vikings, it would be surprising if the team decides to bring him back when he becomes a free agent in 2025.

Garrett Bradbury - C

Like O'Neill, Garrett Bradbury's current contract doesn't expire after the upcoming season. However, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Minnesota chooses to move on from him in 2025.

Bradbury played well during his first year in Kevin O'Connell's offense in 2022, but his performance regressed back down last season. If his play continues to be disappointing in 2024, the Vikings will definitely consider parting with him after the season finishes.

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