Minnesota Vikings
· 2026-07-06
The Minnesota Vikings must make 2026 their breakout year, moving beyond just the regular season with playoff wins, as several defensive starters are set to become free agents in 2027.
The Vikings' defense faces fewer impending free agents than the offense, but enough to warrant discussions now, with players like Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel needing extensions.
The Vikings drafted Jake Golday of Cincinnati, who could create an off-ramp for Cashman if new general manager Nolan Teasley doesn’t have Cashman in the long-term plans.
Blake Cashman, the Eden Prairie native, is a tackle machine who just so happens to miss about four games per year, but he's still worth an extension as off-ball linebackers can thrive well into their 30s.
Cashman logged a casual 144 tackles in 13 games in 2025, making him an anchor of Brian Flores's defense.
Isaiah Rodgers inked a two-year deal during the 2025 offseason and produced one of the greatest games in team and NFL history against the Cincinnati Bengals last season.
Rodgers is 28 and will have about three more seasons of optimal value, making him a key player for the Vikings.
The Vikings drafted 5th-Round corner Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin, who could morph into a small-school gem.
Andrew Van Ginkel has ascended to the role of the Vikings' top outside linebacker, a somewhat surprising but real development, following Minnesota's trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Van Ginkel's versatility is a key asset, as he can disrupt a play from the EDGE and then seamlessly drop back into coverage on the subsequent snap.
The Vikings will face the Green Bay Packers on September 13, 2026, in their next game, and securing contracts for these defensive starters will be crucial to their success.