EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are expected to release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in the coming days as they continue to whittle down their salary cap deficit and reduce their cash commitments, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday.
Allen was an expensive one-year investment for the Vikings, who signed him as a free agent in March 2025. Allen earned $16.2 million last season, during which he played in all 17 games and finished with 68 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also has $8 million in full guarantees for 2026, which would be partially offset if he signs with another team. The move will save the Vikings $6.5 million against their 2026 cap.
The Vikings spent nearly $350 million in 2025 to bulk up a roster around quarterback J.J. McCarthy but were eliminated from playoff contention after starting 4-8. Allen joins fellow defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Aaron Jones Sr. as players whom the Vikings have indicated they will release before the start of the new league year next week.
Moving on from Allen, Hargrave and Jones will save the Vikings $25.2 million against the cap. It also will get them out of paying roughly $40 million in cash that would have been due.
More players could depart before the free agent market opens next week. The Vikings are open to trading outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard if the sides are unable to agree to an adjusted contract, and center Ryan Kelly's status is in doubt after he missed nine games last season because of three concussions. Greenard and Kelly are due to count $34.2 million against the 2026 salary cap and receive a combined $27.7 million in cash.
