The Minnesota Vikings have about 6.5 months to go before the start of the 2025 regular season.
8 Predictions for the Vikings Offseason Shocker
Free agency hits the calendar in two weeks, and the team has about $63 million in cap space to sign in-house free agents and external new players. The draft is six weeks after that.
And between free agency and the draft, we asked Vikings fans to predict an offseason shocker around the bend. We polled folks for their boldest takes.
Question to all: If there’s a Vikings shocker from free agency or the draft, what will it be? It can be a player signed or drafted or who stays or leaves. Your choice. Something like that.
Here are fans’ predictions for the offseason shocker.
1. Ashton Jeanty Is a Viking
 runs for a touchdown in the first quarter versus the Washington State Cougars at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24355448.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24355448.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24355448-788×444.jpg” alt=”vikings offseason”><figcaption> Brian Losness-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
Tadd@ST7cubs
There’s a lot of talk about the Vikings trading back in Round 1, but they could shock everyone by actually trading up into the late teens and grabbing the best running back in the draft.
2. Harrison Smith Calls It Quits
 against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Harrison-Smith-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=676,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Harrison-Smith-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Harrison-Smith-1-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
Skol Tom@SKOLfromWI
It wouldn’t be too shocking, but Harrison Smith decides to retire after a successful career with the Vikings. There are rumors about this every year, and he does not seem to age. The biggest shocker is he finally hangs it up.
3. Sam Darnold to Raiders; Travis Hunter to Vikings
 during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Travis-Hunter.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=609,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Travis-Hunter.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Travis-Hunter-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
RedNPurple (from Norway)@rednpurple77
The Raiders get desperate and trade Pick No. 6 for Sam Darnold on a transition tag. Vikings pick Travis Hunter, who slides because he’s caught having his own Cannabis plantation in Mexico.
4. Safety Jevon Holland to MIN
 reacts after receiving a fair catch in the fourth quarter during the football game between the New York Jets and host Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, FL..</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jevon-Holland.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=569,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jevon-Holland.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jevon-Holland-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption>Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) reacts after receiving a fair catch in the fourth quarter during the football game between the New York Jets and host Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, FL.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
Steve Berglund@VIkesin18
Vikings sign Jevon Holland. I think Cooper Kupp also ends up being a Viking, but the big one will be making Holland one of the highest-paid safeties in football.
5. Trade up for RB Kaleb Johnson
 hands off to Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_24712434.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_24712434.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_24712434-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?<br /><span data-color=)
Eric Horstman@EHorstman23
I will go with them actually trading up in the draft and take Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. I think they take care of the other significant issues in free agency and prioritize RB after seeing Gibbs wreck them this season.
6. Daniel Jones Departs
 against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daniel-Jones-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=638,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daniel-Jones-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Daniel-Jones-1-788×444.jpg” alt=”Vikings Offseason”><figcaption> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
Bruce Johnson@sachikojohnson
I’m surprised that it seems the Vikes want to keep Aaron Jones. At best, we should sign him up for backup money, but he will get more. Other Vikes staying will be Grugier-Hill, Jackson, Griffin, Feeney, Akers, Mullens, Powell, and Bynum.
Gone are Bullard, Quessenberry, Risner, Gilmore, Jones, Moreau, Mundt, and your shocker, Daniel Jones (some other team will offer him 15 million, and Kwesi will say he is too rich).
7. An Adam Thielen Reunion
 celebrates after scoring on an 18-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL International Series game at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NFL-International-Series-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Cleveland-Browns-10378560.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=801,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NFL-International-Series-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Cleveland-Browns-10378560.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NFL-International-Series-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Cleveland-Browns-10378560-788×444.jpg” alt=”Adam Thielen Claps Back”><figcaption> Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?</strong><br /><strong><span data-color=)
Ivan, Czar of Bohunks@Up4Discussion_7
I think Adam Thielen is coming back to the Minnesota Vikings. That would be a shocker!
8. Byron Murphy Jr. + D.J. Reed as the CBs
 reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/D.J.-Reed-NY-Jets.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=638,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/D.J.-Reed-NY-Jets.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/D.J.-Reed-NY-Jets-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Penner-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Who Said It?<br /><span data-color=)
Chris@Skol227
A Vikings shocker in free agency is Minnesota re-signs Byron Murphy and brings in D.J. Reed from the NYJ
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
