Vikings Fan Favorite Pro Bowler’s Future Put in Question

Few Minnesota Vikings players are more adored than C.J. Ham. The Duluth, Minn., native was a walk-on at Vikings rookie minicamp in 2016 and climbed his way to Pro Bowl status as one of the NFL’s best fullbacks. However, Ham, who turns 32 this summer, is facing questions about his future with the team. Minnesota Star Tribune beat reporter Emily Leiker noted that Ham was in a somber mood after the Vikings’ season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams and did not face questions about his future at locker room cleanout day. “There had been a post on how he spent some extra time on the field postgame — kind of taking things in. He was one of those guys that did not show up at locker room cleanouts,” Leiker said on the “Access Vikings” podcast on Jan. 29 “None of those veterans who might be near the end of their careers did. He’s up there. Is this maybe when he calls it?” Related: Vikings Land What Every Fan Wants for J.J. McCarthy in Latest Mock Draft Ham is entering the final year of his contract in Minnesota. He is due $3.41 million against the cap, but the Vikings could save $2.65 million by cutting him this offseason. Minnesota is anticipated to undergo an overhaul of its roster with 25 pending free agents and the fifth-most cap available cap space to spend. How Ham figures into the Vikings’ future remains to be seen after his role has diminished in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Under Mike Zimmer, Ham averaged 378 offensive snaps from 2019 to 2021. Since O’Connell’s arrival, Ham has played an average of 215 snaps a season. He remains a vital contributor to special teams and has not missed just one game due to injury in his whole career. However, the cap savings from cutting Ham could be used to improve depth elsewhere. Ham’s health is also a consideration after he was dinged up at the end of the season. His wife posted pictures of him in a hospital bed with a boot on his right foot and ankle on Instagram on Feb. 12. She wrote that it was a “simple procedure,” although it’s not confirmed if it’s related to the ankle injury that was listed with on the Vikings’ final injury report. Ham earned two Pro Bowl appearances in his nine-year career, the most recent coming in 2023.