The Vikings Appear to be Cruising Toward a $25 Million Cap Boost

As things stand, the Vikings are boasting north of $13 million in open cap space (OTC). Not too shabby, but things could be improved. In fact, the financial outlook for 2026 seems destined to improve.

The Minnesota Vikings boast a pair of stud players in RT1 Brian O’Neill and EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel, both of whom look like logical extension candidates. Combined, the pair of veterans could spark a robust financial windfall for the present-day Vikings. All that’s needed is for GM Nolan Teasley to put together a pair of contract extensions, a task that’s easier said than done but that’s nevertheless quite plausible.

The Vikings’ Cap: Watch for a $25M Boost

At this stage, Mr. O’Neill appears to be a lifelong Viking.

Kirk Cousins used to pass along the quip that the letters “NFL” actually stand for “Not for Long.” His basic idea is that job security is scarce in the money-hungry, cutthroat football league. Very few players ever arrive at fixity in their employment for a specific team.

Brian O’Neill is therefore a unique player who appears to be following in Harrison Smith’s and C.J. Ham’s footsteps.

Right now, O’Neill carries the weightiest cap charge for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s seeing $23,115,657 get attached to his name, a hit that’s worth it but still difficult enough to digest.

Extending the rugged large lad could involve $14,160,000 getting put back into the mix. At this point on the calendar, that’s a total that is quite beefy. Enough to do damage among the remaining free agent talents, that’s for sure.

Extending O’Neill appears to be Step 1, at least in the minds of many.

There’s then Andrew Van Ginkel, whom the Vikings should be prioritizing as the top player to extend. No team can succeed without having a formidable pass rush. In Van Ginkel, the Vikings boast one of the most overlooked options within considerations of the NFL’s top edge rushers. Ensuring that he finishes his pro career with a horn on his helmet should be a priority.

He, too, is a pricey player. The cap is showing $19,250,000 for the edge rusher’s services in 2026 (third-most on the team behind O’Neill and Justin Jefferson). Extending him could mean seeing $11,352,000 tossed back into the mix for 2026.

Extending both of Brian O’Neill and Andrew Van Ginkel — a reasonable outcome that may even be likely — would mean giving the Vikings $25,512,000 in added cap room for 2026.

Teasley could use that open room to enhance the roster by plucking talent out of free agency. Or, perhaps, there’s a desire to venture into the trade market. Boasting ample cap space helps in when it comes to pulling off a swap.

The NFL is operating from within its slowest portion of the year. What could disrupt the seemingly inevitable summer doldrums is an extension or two. The Vikings boast several players who appear like nice candidates, none more compelling than O’Neill and Van Ginkel. Since each have hearty cap charges, each can give back ample cap room.

Look for the Vikings to get some enhanced cap space at some point during the summer.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.