The Minnesota Vikings could make some surprising cuts during their upcoming training camp. Most NFL teams have a surprise cut or two every year, mostly associated with salary cap issues. And just to clarify, when I say surprise cuts, it does not include reserves or players who are on the current bubble. So, you won’t find Jalen Reagor, Chris Reed, or Nick Muse listed here. The same goes for D.J. Wonnum, Troy Dye, and James Lynch.

I only chose players who would make Vikings fans stop and go, “Well, I didn’t see that one coming.” All three of these players on this list either started for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 or made a significant contribution to the team during the season. So, let’s tee it up and start the speculating.

Minnesota Vikings Release a Veteran Linebacker

Jordan Hicks

Go big or go home. With the recent release of Hick’s running mate Eric Kendricks, this seems like a very odd selection. Not to mention that he is also one of the few veteran linebackers who are currently on the roster for the Minnesota Vikings. But think about it for a minute. His 2022 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade was 65.4. For players at his position, he ranked 40th out of 92. And his restructured contract for 2023 comes out to $4.45 million.

Now he’s not breaking the bank with his contract. But there is a very real possibility that his play will diminish even further this coming season. He already was a suspect tackler last year and many times looked lost in pass coverage.

They have high expectations for Brian Aasmoah at the other middle linebacker position. And Troy Dye and Troy Reeder provide a veteran presence to the position. Additionally, the Vikings think that they have found a diamond in the rough in rookie undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. It also does not preclude them from trading for another veteran linebacker or working the waiver wire after training camp cuts.\

Brian Asamoah Vikings LB

Vikings LB Brian Asamoah (33) – David Berding/Getty Images

Surprising Secondary Cut

Camryn Bynum

Another veteran who could be on the chopping block for the Minnesota Vikings. After a promising rookie campaign, his performance took a slide last year. He had an overall rank PFF grade of 58.2 which placed him 73rd out of 96 safeties who were ranked in 2022. More distressing was his coverage grade, which was 50.2, which placed him in the bottom 10 of players ranked at his position.

Now, personnel-wise, safety is a very thin position for the Minnesota Vikings. It is hard to see how the team would remove a veteran from this equation. However, last season, special-teamer Josh Metellus played some excellent ball when pressed into service due to injuries. And 2022 first-round draft pick Lewis Cine looks to have fully recovered from the brutal compound fracture of his left leg that he sustained in Week 4. Big things are expected of him.

They also drafted Jay Ward out of LSU to add depth to this position. It’s Bynum’s job to lose but the Vikings do have other viable options to play in the position opposite Harrison Smith.

Minnesota Vikings Release Their Kick Returner

Kene Nwangwu

This is a surprising choice for two reasons. First, Nwangwu has returned zest to the Minnesota Vikings kick return team. In his two seasons with the team, he has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and has averaged 28.3 yards on his kick returns. And during the just completed Vikings minicamp, he was the back that received the majority of the second-team reps.

Kene Nwangwu May Need To Prove He Can Do More Than Return

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu (26) – Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports.

Still, the team does have other options at the kick returner position. Ty Chandler, K.J. Osborn, or undrafted free agent Malik Knowles (if he makes the team) all could be candidates to replace Nwangwu if he were released.

As for the backup spot running back spot, Chandler brings great speed to the position and the Vikings are anxious to see how he would perform in game situations. And the buzz is that the team is very high on seventh-round draft choice DeWayne McBride. Some people think he could replace Alexander Mattison as the lead back once he gets additional reps and some game experience.

Will the Minnesota Vikings make any of these moves? The odds are against it, but this whole exercise was about cuts that would surprise even the ardent Vikings fan. With training camp soon upon us, it’s time to sit back and see what transpires. It should be an interesting ride.