Next week, another wave of NFL free agency will hit, but let’s take a moment to examine who went where for the Minnesota Vikings, a team with a tranquil philosophy, other than Kyer Murray, regarding adding newcomers.

A handful of ex-Vikings quickly came off the board as free agency moved into its next phase.

It’s the quietest Vikings free agency since 2020; here’s a look at who left for other ventures.

Minnesota’s Departures Are Starting to Fill Out around the League

No real surprises, aside from the punter, on the list.

Jonathan Allen, DT
Cincinnati Bengals

Allen inked a two-year, $26 million contract in Cincinnati, an advantageous development for Minnesota because Allen’s dead cap charge will become a financial wash for the Vikings next offseason.

After five days of free agency, the Bengals’ defensive tackle roster includes:

• B.J. Hill
• Jonathan Allen
• Kris Jenkins Jr.
• T.J. Slaton Jr.
• McKinnely Jackson
• Jordan Jefferson
• Howard Cross III

Despite this depth, the Bengals may still select another defensive tackle early in April’s draft, given the DT talent available.

Javon Hargrave, DT
Green Bay Packers

This man pulled the turncoat maneuver, signing in Green Bay and adding a veteran presence to Jonathan Gannon’s defense, hoping his experience and pass-rushing skills can offset the loss of Kenny Clark, who was traded to Dallas in the Micah Parsons deal.

According to Pro Football Focus — and the eye test — Hargrave is a slightly above-average interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense grade, resulting in an overall score of 68.0, ranking him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush remains a strength, his run defense has been less consistent.

His raw statistics bear it out. In 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53% of the time), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures. That pressure total ranked him 34th among all defensive tackles.

Hargrave is expected to provide stability for Green Bay’s iDL, though his recent performance metrics suggest he is a middle-of-the-road NFL defensive tackle. And — there’s the inevitability that Minnesota will face him twice annually.

Jalen Nailor, WR
Las Vegas Raiders

Nailor secured $35 million over the next three years from Las Vegas, the city that raised him. He’s instantly the WR1 on the Raiders’ depth chart — believe it or not — which was probably an alluring factor. Nailor has never accrued more than 500 yards in a single season. That might change in Sin City.

Nailor will also catch passes from Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to go off the draftboard first in April. Meanwhile, there’s a decent chance that Nailor gets an old friend at quarterback if the Raiders sign Kirk Cousins for bridge passer duty.

Regardless, Nailor got his bag.

Silver and Black Pride‘s Marcus Johnson on Nailor: “The former Michigan State receiver didn’t have a major role with the Vikings in Minnesota and has a chance to showcase his skill set with the Silver and Black. The Vikings lined him up inside and outside, which displays what his role will be with the Raiders.”

“This past season, he was in the slot 60% of the time, making a play that could move around all over the line of scrimmage. Nailor becomes a replacement for Jakobi Meyers, who was traded midseason in 2025. Nailor has upside that goes along with all the free agent signings this offseason. If he could reach his potential, he could add a hidden gem to Klint Kubiak’s offense.”

Ben Sims, TE
Miami Dolphins

Following the first three days of free agency and the acquisition of Ben Sims, the Dolphins’ tight end roster includes:

• Greg Dulcich
• Ben Sims
• Jalin Conyers
• Cole Turner
• Zack Kuntz

Darren Waller, the team’s primary tight end last season, is still a free agent. However, due to Miami’s offseason coaching and front office changes, his return appears improbable.

David Njoku is another free agent to monitor. While he has had a productive career, he hasn’t attracted much free-agent attention so far. A team seeking a tight end, like Miami, could be a possible destination.

Sims played in eight games for the 2025 Vikings, catching 3 passes for 30 yards when given the chance.

Ryan Wright, P
New Orleans Saints

Most fans thought Wright would return as the Vikings’ punter in 2026, and that’d be that.

But then he swerved, signing with the New Orleans Saints for $14 million over the next four years. Wright’s career has resembled an odyssey — fantastic in 2022 as a rookie, snakebitten by struggles in 2023 and 2024, and back to majestic form in 2025.

As a result, Minnesota will need a new punter, and all signs point to a rookie, either in the last round of the draft or shortly after, from undrafted free agency.

The Vikings also lost valuable continuity in the field goal process, as Wright was Will Reichard’s holder in 2024 and 2025. Just Minnesota has a good thing going — Reichard was the best kicker in the NFL last season — a bit of disruption arose.