The Minnesota Vikings extended Brian O’Neill’s contract on Tuesday, a move corresponding with the start of training camp. O’Neill is now $96 million richer, with that sum spread over four more years. He’s a Viking, and he’s not leaving. Wolf of Wall Street meme.
But who’s next? New general manager Nolan Teasley is likely to hand out one more extension or two; it’s just the nature of the beast in July, August, and early September.
The following players are most likely to get extensions before the start of the season. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely extension candidate).
The Vikings’ Next Extension Candidates
7. Jordan Mason | RB
Mason will either play RB1, RB2, or both for the Vikings in 2026. It depends on the outcome of preseason and how the regular season flows, with Aaron Jones right next to Mason in the running back room. Until any injuries emerge, the pair will likely split the RB1-RB2 workload.
Both are also free agents next March. The 2026 campaign will likely be Jones’s last in Minnesota, but Mason cannot be ruled out for a second contract.
There’s a chance that Teasley locks down Mason this summer, getting a jump on re-signings next offseason.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $13 million
6. Jordan Addison | WR
The Vikings seem hellbent on keeping Addison for the long haul despite his numerous off-the-field transactions. They’re loyal; they’ve stood by him every step of the way.
Now would be the time to extend Addison if the front office and coaching staff believe his transgressions are behind him. Addison will only get more expensive because the NFL market resets annually.
Still, Addison will likely request mucho dinero with his next contract. Perhaps the Vikings need to see one more season of arrest-free Addison behavior before taking the plunge. A 1,000-yard season wouldn’t hurt either.
Est. Extension Price: Four years, $120 million
5. Jay Ward | S
Ward came on strong in December and January last year, stealing Theo Jackson’s snaps at safety and displaying the defensive aggression that Minnesota needs. He’s a bit of a late bloomer in terms of playing time, but it’s better late than never for any Vikings draft pick because the club has drafted so poorly since 2022.
With Harrison Smith possibly retired, Ward has a golden opportunity to break out in 2026.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $12 million
4. Isaiah Rodgers | CB
This man is a speed demon and was one of the most pleasant free-agent surprises last season in Minnesota. He singlehandedly beat the Cincinnati Bengals early last year with one of the greatest individual performances in NFL history.
Now, Rodgers must prove his sustainability. He turned 28 this offseason. The speedster is a good cornerback, not an elite one.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $20 million
3. Blake Brandel | C-OL
Brandel is on tap to start at center, and even if that experiment doesn’t go wonderfully, he’s still ultra-valuable to the Vikings. He can play center, guard, and tackle. Minnesota found him late in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s quietly paid off as one of the better draft picks in recent memory.
He’ll be a free agent if Teasley doesn’t negotiate an extension in the next six months, but all signs point to Brandel sticking around.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $11 million
2. Blake Cashman | ILB
Cashman’s extension status is tricky, as Minnesota drafted Cincinnati’s Jake Golday in Round 2 a few months ago, and on paper, he could be Cashman’s replacement. Cashman turned 30 in May, and inside linebackers don’t usually get better after 30.
But Cashman is productive. He misses about four games per season, but outside of that habit, the man is a tackling machine and an anchor of Brian Flores’s defense.
Cashman’s future with the team boils down to how long the club expects Cashman, Eric Wilson, and Golday to share space in the ILB room.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $20 million
1. Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB
Van Ginkel has a different job description in 2026. With Jonathan Greenard now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles – – the Vikings traded him for two 3rd-round picks – – Van Ginkel is the primary veteran EDGE rusher with documented success. Dallas Turner could turn into the next big thing, but that verdict will arrive in 2026.
The ex-Miami Dolphin has already arrived, and with O’Neill’s extension in the books, Van Ginkel is likely the next man up. He turned 31 earlier this month.
Est. Extension Price: Two years, $50 million
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VikesNow Verdict: O’Neill was the obvious priority, but Minnesota still has several meaningful contract decisions ahead. Van Ginkel feels like the strongest candidate for another pre-Week 1 deal, while Cashman and Rodgers could also make sense if Teasley wants more veterans secured before 2027 free agency.
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