The Vikings have moved on from a pair of young players. Doing so is disappointing to the team since each got axed after health problems, not performance issues (note: edge rusher Jordan Botelho got canned, too, but his subtraction looks like a more standard one-for-one roster move given the corresponding signing of WR Terrill Davis).
Bringing DT Jaylon Hutchings and LB Scooby Williams to the Twin Cities was done with an eye toward the offseason competition. Neither was drafted, so the youthful lads were facing long odds. But, to be sure, there’s a reason why Minnesota made an effort to get them to Eagan in the first place. Each signing points toward some level of belief in each player’s ability to push for a roster spot.
The Vikings Have Axed a Pair of Rookie Defenders
In the NFL, it’s standard to see a physical baked into any and all deals. What team wants to welcome somebody who is hurt? The headline-generating example from recent NFL history was the failed Maxx Crosby trade.
Crosby is a massive star in the NFL, somebody who was going to see multiple 1sts given up to secure him. Neither Hutchings nor Williams are anywhere close to that elite EDGE1 level, but the underlying idea is the same. Teams aren’t keen to do deals for players who aren’t healthy.
Part of the problem confronting each defender is that Minnesota hasn’t waited around for health, instead beefing up the depth at each spot.
Most notably, the Vikings went for Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange in the 2026 NFL Draft. Doing so means rallying around the No. 18 and No. 82 picks with the hope being that Minnesota boasts the new version of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. Essentially, a game-wrecking talent who can terrorize the quarterback (Kevin Williams/Caleb Banks) working in tandem with an immovable mass of man to suffocate the run (Pat Williams/Domonique Orange).
At linebacker, the Vikings have made other moves, as well.
Most notable is the addition of Jake Golday. Picking up the former Cincinnati Bearcat took place before signing Williams within the undrafted haul, suggesting there was still need for more linebacker help even after the 2nd-Round selection. Undrafted linebacker Bangally Kamara got added after the Williams cut. Read that move as being a replacement for the injured Williams.
Note that Darren Wolfson, a plugged-in Vikings insider who works for KSTP, responded to the news of Hutchings being cut: “Injury setback, multi-week recovery. Re-evaluate in a few weeks and after seeing what roster looks like post-draft.”
Currently, Minnesota is living within the post-draft world. There has not been a new deal for Hutchings to become a Minnesota Viking yet again. What there has been, though, was a deal for Smith Vilbert, a different unproven d-lineman to compete for the end of the 53-man roster spot.
As things stand, the Vikings are working through a roster boasting ample young players. Most notable are the nine draftees but there were then nineteen UDFAs (one of whom was cut in Scooby Williams). Some other talent — such as Kamara and Vilbert — got added, but there are roughly thirty brand new young lads competing for a job in the NFL.
Already, two of the desired young players have been fired due to health issues. The NFL is a cruel sport that slows down for nobody, but seeing these young guys subtracted is still unfortunate. A perfect world involves both of Jaylon Hutchings and Scooby Williams getting to 100% health before landing long-term jobs in the NFL.
Next up for the Vikings are OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Most will be watching the QB battle, but there are a pile of young players to watch for, as well.
Fingers crossed for good health all around.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.