The Minnesota Vikings have informed veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they will be released at the start of the 2026 NFL league year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
The moves will save Minnesota a reported $18.65 million against the salary cap in 2026. The team still has some moves to make before the league year opens on March 11, however.
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Prior to the moves, the Vikings were estimated to be $44,353,590 over the official salary cap of $301.2 million for the 2026 season, per Spotrac. All 32 NFL teams are required to be compliant with the salary cap by March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Jones, 31, has been with the Vikings since joining the team as a free agent prior to the 2024 season. He has started in each of his 29 appearances with the team, totaling 1,686 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground with another 607 yards and three touchdowns through the air as a starter.
The Pro Bowler and nine-year vet started his career with the Green Bay Packers as a fifth-round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft class prior to his two-year stint in Minnesota, having led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in his 2019 campaign.
Hargrave spent the 2025 season with the Vikings, totaling 3.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles over 16 games played (15 starts). After starting his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a former third-round pick, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2020, where he spent the next three seasons and earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021.
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This breaking news story will be updated.