The Minnesota Vikings are probably done signing free agents after adding outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and safety Harrison Smith in the last week. But what if they’re not? What if they’ve got one more name circled before showtime on Sunday, when the club hosts the Green Bay Packers?
These are four free agents who VikesNow would welcome with open arms.
Four Veterans Still Worth a Little Look
1. Cam Akers | RB
Why the hell not, right? The Vikings already have Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Demond Claiborne at tailback, but the neat part about Akers is that he could live happily on the practice squad, just in case. He’s not employed right now, so he can’t really dictate an active roster spot anywhere.
And, of course, the Vikings coaches just love the guy. Akers has done this Minnesota dance enough times to qualify for anniversary gifts. The Vikings traded for him in 2023. They did it again in 2024, then brought him back during 2025 before eventually moving on. He remains available right now.
Akers would be insurance, plain and simple. He already knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense, owns a Super Bowl ring from their Los Angeles Rams days, and would require almost no ramp-up period.
Nobody needs to re-print Akers jerseys yet. Yet if Minnesota wants an experienced fourth runner for the practice squad or emergency duty, there are far worse ideas. Apparently, these two parties enjoy finding each other anyway.
2. Leonard Floyd | OLB
Did the Vikings just sign Kyle Van Noy at OLB? Yes. Should the franchise get even deeper at OLB? Also yes.
There’s no reason, almost ever, to cap pass-rush depth. Minnesota has Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as the headliners. Behind them, the experience level falls off rather quickly.
Floyd turns 34 this season and produced only 3.5 sacks for Atlanta in 2025. That’s the ugly part. His previous five-year streak with at least 8.5 sacks is the prettier side. He also knows O’Connell from the Rams’ Super Bowl run. Vikings OLB coach Thad Bogardus knows him, too.
At the right price, Floyd would be veteran pass-rush insurance, not some grand solution. Minnesota could do much worse for OLB depth, especially if Van Noy needs time or another EDGE defender gets hurt. Old pass rushers still have juice.
3. Will Hernandez | G
The Vikings’ backup guards are Joe Huber and Trevor Keegan. The depth is serviceable but not exhilarating.
Hernandez might be the most practical name on this list. Minnesota’s starting offensive line looks settled, yet the reserve guard situation remains skinny. Keegan can help. Huber offers another option. But neither owns Hernandez’s resume.
Hernandez has started 96 NFL games across eight seasons. He returned from a torn ACL in 2025 and played for Arizona – – Kyler Murray knows him. The Cardinals valued his toughness before the injury, with Jonathan Gannon calling him an important piece of their offensive identity.
Gannon said of Hernandez a couple of years ago: “He was playing really good ball for us. He was an integral part of our toughness and our attitude. Doing things the right way, practicing the right way. It’s a tough one to lose. But he’ll recover from it, and he’ll be back saddled up again. I’m sure of that.”
Nobody should expect Minnesota to bench Donovan Jackson or Will Fries. This would be about depth. If Hernandez is healthy and willing to accept a backup role, adding a veteran guard before somebody gets hurt would feel sensible.
4. Mike Hilton | CB
Hilton would fit like a glove in Brian Flores’s system. Write that down. A blitz-happy cornerback with ample NFL experience? This works.
Hilton turns 32 and played only two games last season, meaning this is hardly a slam-dunk signing. His 2024 tape was more encouraging. Pro Football Focus graded him at 75.9, and he allowed only 356 receiving yards from the slot. Flores could use that skill set.
Minnesota would be buying experience instead of a long-term answer. Hilton tackles well, too. If the price is modest, another veteran corner for a secondary without much proven depth feels reasonable.
A cornerback room like this might do the trick for the entirety of 2026:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- James Pierre
- Mike Hilton
- Charles Demmings
- Zemaiah Vaughn
Who says no?
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VikesNow Verdict: Hernandez and Hilton feel particularly practical, while Akers and Floyd would provide familiar veteran depth before Week 1.
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