Story perspectives

Vikings Sign Eight Draft Picks, Banks Lands $21M Deal

5/9/2026

Summary

Vikings Sign Picks

Vikings opened minicamp in Eagan, Minnesota, May 8, 2026, and announced eight of nine picks signed contracts.
Caleb Banks signed a four-year, $21.282 million deal.
Picks Domonique Orange, Caleb Tiernan and Jakobe Thomas and Max Bredeson, Charles Demmings, Demond Claiborne and Gavin Gerhardt signed contracts, at $6.7 million and between $4.391 million and $4.736 million.
Coach Kevin O'Connell expects Banks to have impact while linebacker Jake Golday remains unsigned with a four-year, $9.601 million offer.

Summary

Vikings Target Thibodeaux

The Vikings are exploring a trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux (defensive end) for a 2027 third-round pick.
The Vikings cite a salary-cap crunch that limits other moves.
Minnesota opened a spot after trading Jonathan Greenard (defensive end) to Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Giants, who drafted Thibodeaux No. 5 in 2022, have players Burns, Carter and rookie Arvell Reese ahead of him but may accept a 2027 third-round pick.

History

Historical Context

Since the NFL introduced a hard salary cap of $33.8 million in the 1994 season, teams have been forced to cut high-paid veterans, a pattern the Minnesota Vikings first faced when they released linebacker John Randle. Over three decades the cap has risen, and in the 2026 season the Vikings again confront a crunch, signing Caleb Banks while eyeing Kayvon Thibodeaux.

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Vikings Sign Picks

Vikings opened minicamp in Eagan, Minnesota, May 8, 2026, and announced eight of nine picks signed contracts.
Caleb Banks signed a four-year, $21.282 million deal.
Picks Domonique Orange, Caleb Tiernan and Jakobe Thomas and Max Bredeson, Charles Demmings, Demond Claiborne and Gavin Gerhardt signed contracts, at $6.7 million and between $4.391 million and $4.736 million.
Coach Kevin O'Connell expects Banks to have impact while linebacker Jake Golday remains unsigned with a four-year, $9.601 million offer.

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