Sources: Vikings to trade or cut Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave

"The Minnesota Vikings have begun whittling down their salary cap deficit by informing veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they will be released later this month barring a trade, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday. The moves will save the team $18.65 million in cap space. Entering the weekend, the Vikings were roughly $43 million over the NFL's $301.2 million cap, the result of two consecutive years of heavy free agent spending."

"Jones, 31, spent two seasons with the Vikings after playing his first seven years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. He produced career highs in touches (306), carries (255), offensive snaps (700) and rushing yards (1,138) during the 2024 season, but injuries caught up to him in 2025. He played in 12 games and managed only 548 rushing yards and 747 total yards from scrimmage, both the lowest in his career since he was a rookie in 2017."

"Hargrave, meanwhile, signed a two-year contract last year with the Vikings after recovering from a torn right triceps that cut short his 2024 season with the San Francisco 49ers. He started 15 games at age 33 but managed only 3.5 sacks and was set to earn $15 million with a cap number of $21.7 million for the 2026 season."

The Minnesota Vikings are addressing their significant salary cap crisis by releasing veteran running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, moves that will free up $18.65 million in cap space. The team entered the offseason approximately $43 million over the NFL salary cap due to two consecutive years of aggressive free agent spending. Jones, 31, played two seasons with Minnesota after seven years with Green Bay, posting career highs in 2024 but declining production in 2025 due to injuries. Hargrave, 33, signed a two-year deal with the Vikings last year but managed only 3.5 sacks in 15 starts. Additional cost-cutting measures may include releasing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and center Ryan Kelly, or restructuring contracts for Justin Jefferson, Brian O'Neill, and T.J. Hockenson.

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