The Minnesota Vikings are currently in the red when it comes to salary cap space, ranking second-lowest, per Over the Cap. Nonetheless, the Vikings could cut certain players or restructure contracts to free up spending salary cap space for offseason spending.
One of the bright spots from the 2025 NFL season was the Vikings’ defense. Minnesota ended its campaign on a five-game win streak, with the defense allowing only one team to score over 20 points. Moreover, defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be back next season.
As a result, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson believes that Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson would be an ideal landing spot for the Vikings to bolster their secondary.
“[Watson] is long, he is physical, he can play outside, and there is going to be a real market for him, and it may price him out of returning to Kansas City,” Wilson said during a Feb. 9 appearance on CBS Sports HQ.
“Teams that certainly need cornerback help and will be sniffing around if their salary cap allows it: The Miami Dolphins, the Rams have a ton of needs, and they have a ton of guys up contract‑wise. So they could be in the market.
“Then I love the idea of Brian Flores getting his hands on Jaylen Watson in Minnesota. So there will be competition, and that will only drive his price up, and I suspect he is going to make a pretty penny by the time he puts pen to paper in the next few months or so.”
Adam Schefter Gives Latest on Kirk Cousins
Minnesota could be in the market for cornerback help, but one obvious upgrade that the Vikings will need to make is at the QB position. Whether it’s via free agency or trade, the team will need to bring in a signal-caller to challenge J.J. McCarthy.
On Feb. 9, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared more details about the future for veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who is expected to be released by the Atlanta Falcons, and rumors link him to a potential reunion with Minnesota.
“Kirk Cousins is expected to be released,” Schefter said on the Feb. 9 edition of the “Pat McAfee Show.“ “[The Falcons] restructured his contract with the idea that he will be released. He’ll be released before the new league year begins. I think he’d like to play, but he’s going to consider all his options. That could include TV, that could include retirement, whatever it is that he wants to do, he’ll have the option to do it. But the Falcons will release him before the start of the new league year, so that’ll be an option for him.
“You bring up Minnesota. Well, Minnesota is always going to bring in a quarterback. Obviously, they have to do that anyway. The question is, who’s that going to be? I asked Kirk about Minnesota last week, and I didn’t get a no, but I didn’t get a yes. It’s possible, but there are a lot of things out there that are possible with him.”
Vikings Insider Gives More Details on Kirk Cousins
Moreover, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis shared what he knows on the matter and where there’s any interest from Minnesota. After missing the playoffs in the 2025 season, the team needs to improve its QB position this offseason. Lewis’ information looks to be on par with what Schefter reported in his update.
“It’s my understanding that Kirk Cousins will be open to returning to the Vikings, if genuine interest is there, and if the situation feels right (opportunity wise, more than anything),“ Lewis wrote on Feb. 7 on X. “Also wouldn’t be surprised to see him have other opportunities (teams & TV).”
Vikings Receive Strong Message on Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson