The Minnesota Vikings have an edge defender problem. While the team has one of the better rosters in the league (minus the giant question mark at the quarterback position), they could use someone who can get over the quarterback. After all, the Vikings traded last year’s top pass rusher, Jonathan Greenard, to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2026 NFL Draft. This move was a long time coming, as the cash-strapped Vikings had no choice but to trade the longtime veteran.
With the draft done and most free agents already finding homes, Minnesota doesn’t have too many options remaining on the open market. However, rather than pursuing a trade, Alec Lewis of The Athletic notes interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will likely look to the remaining crop of free agents to fill the roster hole. While Lewis doesn’t mention anyone by name, the most likely candidate to sign with the Vikings would probably be longtime New Orleans Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan.
Vikings Could Sign Free Agent Edge Rusher Cameron Jordan
It’s not hyperbole to say that Cameron Jordan is one of the best pass rushers of his generation. Selected in the first round of the historically loaded 2011 NFL Draft, the California product quickly established himself as one of the game’s premier edge defenders. Making eight Pro Bowls and earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2017, Jordan has appeared in 243 games while recording 132 sacks, 763 tackles, 175 tackles-for-loss, 248 quarterback hits, and 17 forced fumbles since joining the league. While he is entering his age-37 season, he has remained a productive player with the Saints. Starting and appearing in all 17 games, Jordan finished the season with 10.5 sacks, 47 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, and 15 quarterback hits.
Cameron Jordan might not be the player he once was, as 2025 was his first double-digit sack season since 2021. However, he’s still a solid pass rusher, and the Vikings could use someone like him on the roster. Earlier in the offseason, Jordan heavily implied he didn’t want to return to the Saints and was looking forward to joining a new organization with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. However, the pass rusher never developed more of a market and would likely be willing to sign with just about anyone. The Vikings are a talented team, but it’s hard to consider them a true contender with such an uncertain quarterback position.
Minnesota’s Depth Chart
As of this posting, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are the top edge rushers on the Vikings roster. Van Ginkel is coming off a solid season in his own right, recording seven sacks, 54 tackles, and 11 tackles-for-loss in 12 games. Had he stayed healthy for the full campaign, he could have made his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Dallas Turner, meanwhile, had a decent season with eight sacks, 66 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, and a 65.5 PFF grade in 17 games.
These two are fine starters, but the Vikings have no depth behind them. Cameron Jordan would be a welcome addition as a third pass rusher, and the Vikings could rotate all three players to keep everyone fresh throughout the long season. Jordan is still more than capable of handling a role like that, and having defensive coordinator Brian Flores calling the shots should bring out the best in him. Flores remains one of the game’s elite defensive minds, and nobody is better at generating pressure. Cameron Jordan probably won’t put up another All-Pro season, but he could experience a late-career renaissance in this environment.
Even if Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy work out, this team will need a stronger defense to compete in a loaded NFC North.
