The 2026 NFL Combine is in full swing, and the Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill has not hit the pause button. In about one week, free agents will begin signing with new teams, meaning no rest for rumors.

Three separate storylines are converging: cap decisions, interior D-line reshuffling, and a familiar coaching name resurfacing.

This week’s batch examines a trade, a possible new interior defensive lineman, and Mike Zimmer popping back up out of retirement.

The Cap Crunch Fueling Hargrave, Franklin-Myers, and Zimmer Chatter

The Purple Rumor Mill for February 28th.

Rumor: The Vikings are looking to trade DT Javon Hargrave.

Minnesota has its first tangible trade rumor of the offseason.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Tuesday, “Sources: The Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave. Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”

NFL writer Logan Ulrich weighed in, too: “A trade would be a preferable outcome for Minnesota if they can find a partner, as $3 million of his salary this upcoming year is guaranteed. Hargrave was still productive as a contributor, just not as much as the Vikings hoped.”

“Hargrave was scheduled to make base salaries of $19.9 million and $21.65 million in the final two years of that deal when San Francisco reworked his contract. The team later released him with a post-June 1 designation ahead of the 2025 season.”

The 33-year-old has been mentioned as a cut or trade candidate for weeks. It looks like one of those outcomes is inevitable.

Rumor: Minnesota could target DT John Franklin-Myers in free agency.

Replying to fans’ queries from a mailbag segment, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis named Franklin-Myers this week as a Vikings free-agent candidate.

He set the stage for Vikings free agency: “The next phase in answering the question is mostly a conversation of positional priorities. Quarterback takes precedence. Because safeties and centers play essential communication roles, veterans could be the answer at these positions, too. Running back and defensive line would likely be next in line.”

“So, it’s worth looking at potential signings through that prism. Take on a boatload of cap space at quarterback, and the Vikings would need some savvy signings elsewhere. Pay minimally at QB, and the Vikings could try to go big on a defensive lineman, like Denver Broncos defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers (whom The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected could make around $54 million over three seasons).”

Minnesota also might require free-agent help in the defensive secondary, so the Franklin-Myers raised some eyebrows.

Lewis added, “As difficult as it may be to see, there is a path for the Vikings to extend money into the future and invest aggressively over the next two years. This would make for a flurry of activity over the next few weeks.”

Here’s Franklin-Myers’s resume from Pro Football Focus:

In theory, Franklin-Myers could replace the aforementioned Hargrave.

Spotrac projects John Franklin-Myers’ next contract at roughly $7.9 million annually, a manageable figure. However, he’ll turn 30 in September, and with the Vikings’ recent emphasis on acquiring veteran defensive tackles, the front office might prioritize a younger prospect this time.

The upcoming draft presents several promising options. Caleb Banks (Florida), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), and Peter Woods (Clemson) are among the top interior defensive line prospects expected to be available in April and offer long-term potential.

In 2025, the Vikings aggressively pursued defensive line talent, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah adding Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to fortify the interior. While serviceable, their impact was ultimately underwhelming. Much of the focus then centered on Jalen Redmond, who emerged as a consistently reliable player, perhaps ranking second only to Justin Jefferson in overall impact on the 2025 team.

Rumor: Mike Zimmer may join the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff.

Zimmer retired around this time last year. Now, he’s contemplating a comeback.

NBC Sports’ Josh Alper reported Tuesday, “Sean Payton and Mike Zimmer were colleagues on the Cowboys’ coaching staff more than 20 years ago and they could work together again in Denver. Mike Klis of KUSA reports that the Broncos recently met with Zimmer about a senior coaching assistant position on Payton’s staff. There’s no imminent announcement of an agreement, but there is reportedly mutual interest in making something happen.”

“Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator when Payton was their assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2003-2005. Payton moved on to become the Saints’ head coach in 2006 and Zimmer would become the Vikings’ head coach in 2014 after stints in Atlanta and Cincinnati.”

This would be cinema for Vikings fans: Zimmer teaming up with Payton, who remains hated in the Twin Cities. Public Enemy No. 1.