Fresh Vikings Rumors Surface about Javon Hargrave, a New DT, Mike Zimmer

The 2026 NFL Combine is in full swing, and the Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill you haven’t hit the pause button. In about one week, free brokers will start signing with new groups, that means no relaxation for rumors.

Three separate storylines are converging: cap choices, inside D-line reshuffling, and a acquainted teaching identify resurfacing.

This week’s batch examines a commerce, a potential new inside defensive lineman, and Michael Zimmer popping again up out of retirement.

The Cap Crunch Fueling Hargrave, Franklin-Myers, and Zimmer Chatter

The Purple Rumor Mill for February twenty eighth.

Rumor: The Vikings need to commerce DT Javon Hargrave.

Minnesota has its first tangible commerce rumor of the offseason.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Tuesday“Sources: The Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave. Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”

NFL author Logan Ulrich weighed in, too: “A trade would be a preferable outcome for Minnesota if they can find a partner, as $3 million of his salary this upcoming year is guaranteed. Hargrave was still productive as a contributor, just not as much as the Vikings expected.”

“Hargrave was scheduled to make base salaries of $19.9 million and $21.65 million in the final two years of that deal when San Francisco reworked his contract. The team later released him with a post-June 1 appointment ahead of the 2025 season.”

The 33-year-old has been talked about as a minimize or trade candidate for weeks. It appears to be like like a kind of outcomes is inevitable.

Rumor: Minnesota might goal DT John Franklin-Myers in free company.

Replying to followers’ queries from a mailbag phase, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis named Franklin-Myers this week as a Vikings free-agent candidate.

I have set the stage for Vikings free company: “The next phase in answering the question is mostly a conversation of positional priorities. Quarterback takes precedence. Because safeties and centers play essential communication roles, veterans could be the answer at these positions, too. Running back and defensive line would likely be next in line.”

“So, it’s worth looking at potential signings through that prism. Take on a boatload of cap space at quarterback, and the Vikings would need some savvy signings elsewhere. Pay minimally at QB, and the Vikings could try to go big on a defensive lineman, like Denver Broncos defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers (whom The Athletic’sure Daniel Popper projected might make round $54 million over three seasons).”

Minnesota may also require free-agent assist in the defensive secondaryso the Franklin-Myers raised some eyebrows.

Lewis added, “As difficult as it may be to see, there is a path for the Vikings to extend money into the future and invest aggressively over the next two years. This would make for a flurry of activity over the next few weeks.”

Here’s Franklin-Myers’s abstract from Pro Football Focus:

In principle, Franklin-Myers might substitute the aforementioned Hargrave.

Spotrac initiatives John Franklin-Myers’ subsequent contract at roughly $7.9 million yearly, a manageable determine. However, he’ll flip 30 in September, and with the Vikings’ latest emphasis on buying veteran defensive tackles, the entrance workplace would possibly prioritize a youthful prospect this time.

The upcoming draft presents a number of promising choices. Caleb Banks (Florida), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), and Peter Woods (Clemson) are among the many high inside line of defense prospects anticipated to be obtainable in April and supply long-term potential.

In 2025, the Vikings aggressively pursued line of defense expertise, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah including Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to fortify the inside. While serviceable, their impression was in the end underwhelming. Much of the main focus then centered on Jalen Redmond, who emerged as a constantly dependable participant, maybe rating second solely to Justin Jefferson in general impression on the 2025 group.

Rumor: Mike Zimmer might be part of the Denver Broncos’ teaching workers.

Zimmer retired round this time final yr. Now, he is considering a comeback.

NBC Sports’ Josh Alper reported Tuesday“Sean Payton and Mike Zimmer were colleagues on the Cowboys’ coaching staff more than 20 years ago and they could work together again in Denver. Mike Klis of KUSA reports that the Broncos recently met with Zimmer about a senior coaching assistant position on Payton’s staff. There’s no imminent announcement of an agreement, but there is reportedly mutual interest in making something happen.”

“Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator when Payton was their assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2003-2005. Payton moved on to become the Saints’ head coach in 2006 and Zimmer would become the Vikings’ head coach in 2014 after stints in Atlanta and Cincinnati.”

This could be cinema for Vikings followers: Zimmer teaming up with Payton, who stays hated in the Twin Cities. Public Enemy No. 1.