Vikings release defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave after last year's spending spree

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings cleared salary cap space taken by their failed strategy for contending last season, releasing defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on Wednesday one year after those veterans were a prominent part of a free agent spending spree.

The Vikings also made the procedural move of releasing safety Harrison Smith with a post-June 1 designation to clear space under the cap and on the roster, with the six-time Pro Bowl pick still mulling whether to return for a 15th season in the NFL. The Vikings would re-sign Smith if he decides to continue playing.

The moves with Allen and Hargrave will clear more than $21 million off the cap, if Allen is designated for post-June 1 release, and cost the Vikings a little more than that in dead money, according to calculations by Over The Cap. Another part of the 2025 free agent wave, center Ryan Kelly, recently announced his retirement.

Hargrave immediately agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed with rival Green Bay, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.

The Vikings got the best of both worlds with a revised contract for running back Aaron Jones, who agreed to lower his base salary for more guaranteed money, Rosenhaus said. The move will clear $3.4 million off the cap for Minnesota.

Allen and Hargrave serve as stark reminders of the failed plan led by since-fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to let Sam Darnold leave and turn over the quarterback position to J.J. McCarthy while spending big at other positions. The Vikings are searching for a veteran to compete with or beat out McCarthy, with Kyler Murray the most obvious candidate following his release by the Arizona Cardinals.

The Vikings committed more than $345 million in cash to their roster last season, the most in the NFL. Allen and Hargrave didn’t make enough of an impact in defensive coordinator Brian Flores ’ system to match their cost, a two-year contract with $17 million guaranteed for Hargrave and a three-year deal with more than $23 million guaranteed for Allen. Both players were released by their previous teams as well.

Hargrave played in 16 games for Minnesota after his 2024 season with San Francisco was cut short by a torn triceps suffered in Week 3. Allen played in all 17 games for Minnesota after missing half of the 2024 season with Washington because of a torn pectoral. But they were both overshadowed by rising standout Jalen Redmond on the interior. Hargrave had 3 1/2 sacks and six quarterback hits. Allen had 3 1/2 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.

Jones had a career-high 1,138 rushing yards in his Minnesota debut in 2024 after spending his first seven seasons with rival Green Bay, providing a valuable boost of energy, experience and leadership. But he wasn’t able to stay as healthy in 2025, playing in only 12 games and finishing with a career-low 4.2 yards per rush. The Vikings have struggled to get their rushing attack going in four seasons under coach Kevin O’Connell.

They have been predictably much quieter on the market this year, with former Pittsburgh cornerback James Pierre the only addition from another team to date.

The Vikings re-upped with linebacker Eric Wilson and Redmond to retain two key pieces of the starting lineup on defense and also brought back long snapper Andrew DePaola as well as some depth and special teams players: safety Tavierre Thomas, edge rusher Bo Richter and running back Zavier Scott.

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor (Las Vegas) and punter Ryan Wright (New Orleans) have departed.

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FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave (97) during the NFL football game in Dublin, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton, File)

FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

A PWHL official said Wednesday that there have been constructive conversations in potentially teaming with the NHL's Ottawa Senators to secure its women's hockey franchise a long-term future in the Canadian capital.

The discussions center on the Ottawa Charge playing home games at the Senators' arena, the Canadian Tire Centre, PWHL senior VP of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. The Charge’s future is in Ottawa is uncertain beyond this season due to the city going ahead with renovations that will reduce the team’s current home’s capacity by about 2,000 seats.

“We’ve got a long ways to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed,” Scheer said during a video conference call.

She referred to Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder as being “a gem to work with.” Scheer and league officials also met with Senators owner Michael Andlauer while attending the women’s tournament at the Milan Cortina Games last month.

The PWHL has already established a partnership with the Senators, with the Charge scheduled to play Montreal at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 3.

“The game is selling really well, so hopefully that’s the first of a really positive road for us to skate down,” Scheer said.

Leeder looked forward to the Senators hosting the game, and further discussions with the PWHL.

“We can confirm we’ve had positive dialogue with the PWHL and the Ottawa Charge, which is consistent with our desire to grow the game for women, men and youth in our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” Leeder said in a statement the Senators released to the AP.

The Charge were one of the PWHL’s original six franchises, and have spent the first three seasons playing at the city’s centrally located TD Place, which is also home to the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s. The aging facility has a capacity of about 8,500 for hockey but the renovation will reduce seating to about 5,700, with an additional 900 standing-only spots.

The PWHL said the cuts make it financially unfeasible to stay at the arena. The Charge averaged about 7,000 fans per outing over the first two seasons, with that number jumping to 7,225 over the team’s first nine home games this year.

Scheer previously said the league was exploring all options, including the possibility of relocation. “We will not go backwards,” Scheer said in November.

The PWHL expanded to eight teams this season, with plans underway to add 2-4 teams for next season.

The Senators' home arena is located about a 40-minute drive outside of downtown. The team, however, is in the early planning stages of building a new home closer to downtown.

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Ottawa Charge's Kathryn Reilly, left, celebrates her teammate Alexa Vasko's goal during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Charge's Fanuza Kadirova (centre) spins around as she celebrates her goal on Seattle Torrent goaltender Hannah Murphy (83) during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)