The Minnesota Vikings have a significant number of players to address as they approach free agency, with 19 pending free agents who played at least 100 snaps in 2024 preparing to hit the market. While the Vikings have the sixth-most cap space for the 2025 season, they may still need to make some cost-saving decisions to both retain key players and fill important roles. One move that seems inevitable is parting ways with tight end Josh Oliver.
In a recent Bleacher Report analysis, Oliver was identified as the “most likely” cap casualty this offseason. The Vikings signed Oliver to a three-year, $21 million deal in 2023, but the final year of his contract is set to be the most expensive.
Josh OliverAlthough he is considered one of the league’s top blocking tight ends, his $10 million salary in 2025 raises questions, especially since he only played 56 percent of offensive snaps last season. With T.J. Hockenson already set to earn $16.9 million next season, paying another tight end a significant amount is a tough decision. Cutting Oliver would free up $5.1 million in cap space.
Despite his reputation as a strong blocker, Oliver’s contributions to the Vikings’ running game have not been as impactful as expected, with the team ranking in the bottom half for yards per rush over the past two seasons. While the struggles aren’t entirely due to Oliver, his role may be re-evaluated as part of the Vikings’ offseason overhaul. The cap savings from releasing him could be used to upgrade the interior offensive line.
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