Multiple waves of free agency have come and gone, and in NFL speak, the wire is down to slim pickings, except for some aging, once noteworthy stars like Tyreek Hill. All the productive young players have found new employers. For the Minnesota Vikings’ sake, seven players from the 2025 roster remain unsigned.

The productive departures are gone. These names remain in limbo.

Here’s a peek at those men in alphabetical order.

Familiar Vikings Veterans Still Waiting for Their Next Shot

Who’s the most likely player to rejoin the Vikings, perhaps on the practice squad?

Zeke Correll | C

Merely mentioned for full disclosure, Correll was a Vikings practice squad candidate last summer. He then suffered an injury in August and spent the entire season on injured reserve.

Minnesota waived him on March 13th and now has Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and rookie Gavin Gehardt lined up for the center spot in 2026.

Fabian Moreau | CB

As a CB3, Moreau quietly had a solid 2025 season. He allowed a 54.2 passer rating in 11 games, a performance that largely went unnoticed due to his lack of name recognition. Minnesota should consider bringing him back as a CB4-CB5, especially if he remains a cost-effective option.

Matt Nelson | OT

Nelson remains largely anonymous in the NFL, typically occupying a practice squad role, providing swing depth, or filling in during emergencies. Unsurprisingly, he remains unsigned after the initial wave of free agency. He will likely have to wait until a team requires additional personnel for training camp.

Jeff Okudah | CB

Okudah had a difficult stint as Minnesota’s CB3, hampered by concussions and poor play. When on the field, opposing quarterbacks frequently targeted him, exploiting his struggles. The former third overall pick appears to be in the later stages of his career, with the “2020 draft bust” label now firmly attached.

The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick on Okudah last month: “Unfortunately, multiple concussions resulted in Okudah only appearing in six games with the Vikings last season, but even when he was able to get on the field, his performance wasn’t anything close to what Minnesota was hoping to see from him.”

“Now that concussions could potentially be a lingering issue, and the fact that he just hasn’t been good during his tenure in the league, his career in the NFL could already be nearing the end, despite it beginning just six years ago.”

Brett Rypien | QB

In May 2025 — so, a year ago at this time — Rypien was the Vikings’ QB2, believe it or not. The rapid change in circumstances now sees him seeking a QB3 role elsewhere, likely with a team looking for an inexpensive veteran for camp in the coming months.

Harrison Smith | S

The Vikings “released” Smith in March, but his tenure in Minnesota is not necessarily over. Smith performed well late in 2025, making a 2026 return seem plausible, even if only for situational play.

Can one truly imagine the Vikings winning a Super Bowl in 2026 with Kyler Murray under center, while Smith watches from home? The thought should be unsettling for both fans and Smith himself.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted on rookie safety Jakobe Thomas as a possible Smith replacement this week, “Can Jakobe Thomas be the new Harrison Smith? In 2025, Thomas entered the transfer portal. He had played safety at Tennessee, mostly in a role that asked him to focus on deep coverage. The University of Miami’s staff kicked the film over to defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.”

“He believed the Hurricanes could weaponize Thomas’ all-around abilities more powerfully. Thomas took to the idea. Part of the intrigue, for him, was the fact that one of his heroes, a fellow product of the state of Tennessee named Harrison Smith, was asked to play multiple roles in the Vikings’ defense.”

Thomas was direct fruit of the Jonathan Greenard trade.

Lewis added, “Thomas is now playing for Smith’s longtime NFL team. Smith’s status remains up in the air, but O’Connell said Friday that one of the elements of Thomas’ pre-draft visit was watching film of Smith.”

“The reps Thomas takes with the full roster will be telling. The Vikings selected him in the third round, but he was one of the team’s priorities when the draft began.”

John Wolford | QB

Wolford served as the Vikings’ emergency QB3 last season, when injuries and crappy play hit the quarterback room. He will not return in 2026. At best, Wolford might secure a practice squad position or serve as emergency quarterback insurance for a new team.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

5′ Barcelona go through on the left with Marcus Rashford, who swings a low cross into the box. However, Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia recovers in time to prevent any danger.

A minute later, Barcelona attack again, but this time it’s Raul Asencio who recovers and makes a superb tackle! Remember, Asencio came in last-minute after Dean Huijsen felt discomfort during warm-up.

FCB 0-0 RMA

NU setter Greg Ancheta, left, celebrates during a win over FEU in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Feeling the weight of the pressure, Greg Ancheta endured tearful nights, crying quietly in bed as he dealt with self-doubt without his teammates knowing.

Tasked with steering National University’s loaded offense bannered by Alas Pilipinas stars Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin, Ancheta admitted the journey was far from easy, but one he eventually overcame through trust given by coach Dante Alinsunurin and his teammates and, more importantly, belief in himself.

“There were times when I’d lie in bed crying alone. I just didn’t show it to my teammates or the people I shared a room with,” Ancheta said in Filipino.

READ: Latest UAAP crown is NU’s toughest title run, says Alinsunurin

“But I held on to Coach Dante’s reminder that I can’t rely only on the coaches if I want to play. I need to have my own identity as a player. I’m also thankful because they gave me their trust, and from there, I just kept working hard.”

After losing their last two games in the elimination round and finishing with a 10-4 record, Alinsunurin lamented that their set plays became one of their problems.

“There’s really a story behind that because I kept telling him that he needed to challenge himself. I wanted to push him and see what he was capable of because I knew he could help carry us to a championship,” said Alinsunurin of Ancheta.

“In that situation, I really tried to bring out more from him. I told him he shouldn’t just depend on the coaching staff or the people teaching him. What’s important is that he learns how to decide for himself — not only in volleyball, but also in life.  He needs to build his own identity as a player,” he added.

It lit the fire under Ancheta as he unleashed 30 excellent sets in NU’s win over University of Santo Tomas in the playoff for the No.2 spot. He then dished out 23 in their Final Four victory against UST to reach the title round for the 11th straight time.

READ: UAAP Finals: NU Bulldogs claim ‘six-peat’ with sweep of FEU Tamaraws

In the finals opener, Ancheta anchored NU’s five-set comeback with 31 excellent sets and paced NU’s successful “six-peat” with 20 excellent sets in their 26-24, 25-22, 25-22 sweep of FEU to rule the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It feels really good because I was able to overcome all the challenges that came my way,” Ancheta said.

Alinsunurin, now an eight-time champion coach, credited his playmaker for accepting the challenge.

“With what he showed in the semifinals and finals, he was really impressive. I knew he was ready, and he performed very well,” he said.

After overcoming the quiet battles no one else saw, Ancheta found tranquility with NU’s latest championship.

“I want to thank coach Dante, who stood by my side and allowed me to fight for myself, too,” said Ancheta. “At this point, I feel like I don’t have anything left to prove except to give my best every game. Maybe this is the most meaningful championship I’ve won.”

The Indianapolis Colts selected former Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall pick. The franchise posted a clip of the 21-year-old working out at rookie camp on Saturday.

“CJ in motion,” the caption read.

Fans flocked to the comment section to share their reaction to the video.

“I seen dads at a cookout move faster,” a fan said.

“Dude moving like a Amazon package handler,” one fan commented.

“10 and 11 personnel going to have CJ in hell,” another fan added.

Here are some more reactions.

“Get cj a stretch dr. Stiff af,” a fan wrote.

“he is still just as slow fjejxbjanxjzjd,” one fan posted.

“Did he just learn how to run today?” Another fan said.

“Delete this bro looks 40 years old,” one comment read.

As the Colts’ rookie minicamp got underway on May 8–10, 2026, Allen’s athleticism was a major talking point. Throughout the 2026 draft process, many scouting reports labeled the linebacker as an average athlete. Reports suggested he had slow lateral speed and slow change of direction.

Many argued that he often looked split-second late on film when reacting to zone passes or chasing down fast ball carriers.

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Also Read: “Gotta let him know he’s the little brother”: Colts WR Josh Downs gets candid about facing Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs

CJ Allen reveals the story behind wearing No. 53 with the Colts

After wearing No. 3 throughout his standout career at Georgia, CJ Allen needed a new number in the NFL because Colts kicker Spencer Shrader already wore it.

Indianapolis assigned Allen No. 53, and at first, he saw it as a standard linebacker jersey. Later, he was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after the Colts traded down from No. 47.

The jersey also holds major franchise history as former Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard wore No. 53 during his dominant run with the team. He won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and earned three first-team AP All-Pro selections while wearing the iconic number. Allen now hopes to create his own legacy in Indianapolis.

The former Georgia star appeared in 41 games with 30 starts from 2023-25, recording 205 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

His impressive 2025 campaign included 88 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, helping him earn First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.