The Vikings are projected to cut ties with the $36 million rookie

The Minnesota Vikings overhauled their defense this offseason, parting ways with several veterans and giving younger players a chance to develop.
That trend is likely to continue next season, as other veterans — including linebacker Jordan Hicks — are playing on expiring contracts. Bleacher Report predicted that Hicks would leave.
“The Vikings have a good young guard in Ivan Pace Jr., but with Jordan Hicks and Troy Dye set to become free agents, the position will be needed in the offseason,” according to Bleacher Report’s Week 9 Team Needs report.
Hicks avoided the knife last season as a more affordable veteran shortstop compared to Eric Kendricks, who was released in March 2023 and had one year left on his contract. Hicks’ $5 million cap hit this season is half of Kendricks’.
Hicks has enjoyed Brian Flores’ scheme, ranking 19th (78.3) in Pro Football Focus’ defensive grade among eligible inside linebackers this season. As one of the most experienced players in the team, he was also appointed captain.
Hicks will turn 32 before the 2024 season. He made $36.6 million over his career, but could return at the right price. But as they’ve done with most of their veterans in recent years, the Vikings would only bring him back on team terms — and Minnesota might look for a better fit with Pace once they figure out what they have in the undrafted rookie. .
Ivan Pace Jr.’s breakout season brings new opportunities for the Vikings

Pace, from Cincinnati, has the 23rd-highest PFF grade (75.7) among defensive players through nine weeks and also offers significant upside as a passing jumper. has the highest passer rating among linebackers (86.5) with 10 pressures and one sack this season.
Pace has shown the ability to shed blockers despite being undersized, and he is adept against the pass, allowing an 81.3 passer rating behind pass defense.
He is the perfect replacement for the role Kendricks held for nearly a decade before being released. The next thing is finding Pace’s own Anthony Barr, the longtime Vikings running back who spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, to create a dynamic interior pairing.
Another defensive position group that may face emigration is the foreign defender.
Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wins all with expiring contracts.
Although Davenport hasn’t played much because of injuries, the trio has accounted for 76 percent of the passes completed through nine weeks this season.
The Vikings have to figure out who can stay and who can go, and Hunter will be one of the biggest decisions this season. He currently leads the league with 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Justin Jefferson’s contract extension and the quarterback’s decision to cut Minnesota’s cap space next season as well, but the Vikings have made it clear that they want to put their league first by agreeing to a contract extension with Hunter. summer
Patrick Jones II, ranked third with 309 snaps, looks to continue to be a factor, while highly regarded undrafted rookie Andre Carter II looks to take a big step in his second season next year.