3 cut candidates on Vikings roster ahead of NFL training camp

The Minnesota Vikings are beginning a new era in 2024.

Their long-serving starting quarterback Kirk Cousins has left for the Atlanta Falcons on a monstrous four-year, $180-million contract. As a result, the right to succeed him is the subject of a battle between rookie JJ McCarthy and incoming seventh-year veteran Sam Darnold.

They are also welcoming a new running back in Aaron Jones, who had been exiled from their eternal foes in Green Bay.

But there will be players who will not see the field, let alone step onto it, come September. Who are they? Here are the three likeliest candidates.

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3) Seth Vernon

Portland State v Arkansas - Source: Getty

In the NFL, there is usually room for only one punter. The Vikings have brought in Seth Vernon to compete with third-year incumbent Ryan Wright.

The question, however, is why? Wright has been solid. As a rookie, he impressed enough to displace Jordan Berry and become a key contributor to the team's latest divisional title.

Case in point: during the Week 6 win at the Miami Dolphins, he had 10 punts, including a 73-yarder that pinned the hosts way back in their own territory, garnering himself NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

2) Jaren Hall

Green Bay Packers v Minnesota Vikings - Source: Getty

As said before, Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy will fight for the right to succeed Kirk Cousins. Behind them, one of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall will be the third-stringer.

Experience points toward Mullens winning. After going undrafted out of Southern Mississippi (the same school as Brett Favre, interestingly), he made his debut in 2018 and broke the record for highest passer rating by a debuting quarterback: 151.9 in a 34-3 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Obviously, he has been largely unable to replicate the success of that day, but that would be better than what his rival has achieved in his two starts: 13 of 20 passes completed, an interception and a lost fumble. The last two caused him to be benched. So Hall is the odd man out.

1) N'Keal Harry

NFL: NOV 05 Vikings at Falcons - Source: Getty

Where to even begin with N'Keal Harry?

The man is one of the biggest wide receiver busts in recent NFL history, drafted before Pro Bowlers AJ Brown, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin and Diontae Johnson. His struggles with injuries and productivity are one of the reasons the New England Patriots dynasty crumbled in 2019 (besides the loss of all-time great tight end Rob Gronkowski).

Thus, he was denied his fifth-year option and sent to the Chicago Bears for a mere seventh-round pick. In 2023, he joined the Vikings to compete for the right to succeed Adam Thielen beside Justin Jefferson but lost to Jordan Addison and spent time in and out of the practice squad.

For 2024, Harry is making a change: he will now be a tight end, hoping to fill in for an injured TJ Hockenson. The problem is there is already a more capable stand-in in Robert Tonyan, who once led the league for touchdowns at his position.