Vikings trade Harrison Phillips to Jets

Minnesota absorbs 3.7 million dollars of Phillips salary as part of a cap friendly swap that reshapes the Vikings and Jets rosters.

Vikings trade Harrison Phillips to Jets for 2026 2027 draft picks

The Vikings have traded defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the Jets. The compensation includes a 2026 sixth round pick and a 2027 sixth round pick going to New York, while Minnesota sends a 2027 seventh round pick and assumes 3.7 million dollars of Phillips salary. The move frees cap space for Minnesota in 2025 and supports a broader plan to lean on a deeper interior rotation after adding Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen this offseason.

Phillips started 51 games in the last three seasons and was a central piece of Brian Flores defense, known for stopping the run. The Jets project him to start next to Quinnen Williams, with Byron Cowart dealing with injuries and competition for the other starting role. New York also acquired Jowon Briggs in a separate deal, adding more interior options to bolster a front that struggled against the run last season. Minnesota, meanwhile, faces a need for receiver depth due to Jordan Addison suspension and Jalen Nailor hand injury, making the trade part cap maneuver, part roster reshaping to protect young players.

The deal mirrors a clear theme in today’s NFL: teams trade veterans to preserve cap space while investing in youth and depth. Minnesota frees resources that could be redirected to the receiver market or other upgrades, while maintaining flexibility as its young interior group gains snaps. The Jets gain a veteran run stopper who can immediately slot beside Williams, potentially stabilizing a front that must hold up in a crowded AFC. The simultaneous move to add Briggs signals New York’s intention to push for consistency up front as the season unfolds.

Still, there are tradeoffs. Phillips is 29 with a track record as a solid run defender, and Minnesota now relies on younger players to fill the interior void over the long term. The Jets must integrate multiple newcomers and manage cap realities as the season advances. The broader question for both teams is how this cap-focused maneuver translates into on-field results and whether it invites further roster churn as the market for at least one additional receiver or edge rusher evolves.

Highlights

Rosters shift as teams chase balance between cap health and on-field impact.