The Minnesota Vikings haven’t traded any players this summer, which is a bit unusual by recent standards. The club shipped Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April, and that was a mighty blow, but that was the last trade to date.
So, let’s examine players who could be traded rather than released before the end of the month.
Vikings Could Turn Roster Surplus into Draft Capital
1. Theo Jackson | S
Harrison Smith may or may not be back in time for the start of the 2026 regular season. That decision remains up in the air. If Smith returns, the roster math gets tricky for Jackson, as the Vikings have already added rookie safety Jakobe Thomas from Round 3 of the draft and signed Jamal Adams from free agency. Jackson’s teammate, Jay Ward, is also ahead of Jackson on the depth chart.
Jackson isn’t a typical fringe roster player. He has ample NFL experience and is under contract through 2027. Minnesota extended him before the 2025 season, signaling they view him as more than just disposable depth.
If Ward has indeed leapfrogged Jackson, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores is comfortable with Adams and Thomas as alternative options, another team might value Jackson far more as a potential starter or key contributor than Minnesota does as a third or fourth safety.
Trading him, however, would mean losing an experienced backup for a defense that heavily relies on its safeties. So, this situation is less about the Vikings actively trying to move Jackson and more about the team having a surplus at the position that could generate trade interest.
A team like the Washington Commanders, who employ Jackson’s defensive passing game coordinator from last year, Daronte Jones, as the new defensive coordinator, could perhaps offer a 6th- or 7th-round pick.
2. Michael Jurgens | C
Jurgens is likely the most appealing “trade instead of waive” candidate among the four.
The Vikings’ initial depth chart lists Blake Brandel as the starting center, with Jurgens as the backup, followed by Gavin Gerhardt and Delby Lemieux. Jurgens is no longer an unknown developmental player; he appeared in 15 games and started three at center in 2025.
Every August, teams invariably discover they lack sufficient functional offensive linemen. If Brandel solidly secures the starting center position and Minnesota is confident enough in Gerhardt’s development, Jurgens could become valuable late-round trade bait. He is also financially attractive, with an approximate $1.1 million cap charge in 2026, making him easy for another team to absorb.
Jurgens as a trade candidate depends on Gerhardt’s ability to serve as the primary backup center right away.
3. J.J. McCarthy | QB
The Vikings named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback this week, and McCarthy accepted his demotion with grace and professionalism. In all likelihood, he will stay with the Vikings and be the QB2 in 2026, creating a decision point in the 2027 offseason.
Yet, there’s a slight chance that McCarthy looks fantastic in the preseason, prompting a team like the New York Jets or Los Angeles Chargers, for example, to offer something in the ballpark of a 5th-rounder for McCarthy. Would Minnesota say no?
McCarthy remains on his rookie deal through 2027, making him much cheaper for an acquiring club than shopping for an established veteran starter. There’s also a world where McCarthy changes his tune and decides he doesn’t want to play second fiddle to Murray. In that scenario, if he asked for a trade, Minnesota would have no choice but to entertain offers. Otherwise, he could create locker room disharmony.
Overall, Murray has missed substantial time in his career, McCarthy is the designated next man up, and McCarthy just publicly reaffirmed that he wants to remain in Minnesota. He’ll probably stay put. VikesNow mentioned him to cast a broad net.
4. Ivan Pace Jr. | ILB
Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels recently pounded the table for Pace Jr. as a special teams asset. His roster spot could be secure.
Pace Jr., though, once an exciting young starter, has transitioned into a rotational linebacker with an unclear future. Will he return to a starter’s level of production? Is he on the Vikings’ roster bubble? Nobody knows.
Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are projected as starters, with Pace Jr. listed alongside rookie Jake Golday on the depth chart. This offseason, Minnesota extended a restricted free agent tender to Pace Jr., and he is playing the 2026 season on a one-year deal worth about $3.52 million.
While not exorbitant, it exceeds the compensation for an undrafted free agent. Concurrently, Minnesota invested a 2nd-round pick in Golday, retained Wilson, and has the aforementioned Adams, who can fulfill a linebacker-like role.
If another team still views Pace Jr. as the aggressive, downhill linebacker who displayed flashes of starting potential early in his career, would Minnesota prefer a late-round draft pick over retaining a relatively expensive fourth linebacker? It may be compelling if Golday shows immediate regular season readiness.
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VikesNow Verdict: Jackson, Jurgens and Pace could fit that equation. McCarthy is the giant long shot – – but one desperate quarterback-needy team could at least make Minnesota answer the phone.
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