Minnesota Vikings outdoors linebacker Bo Richter celebrates with teammates after a defensive sequence towards the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Eire, on Sep 28, 2025. The Week 4 spotlight clip captured Richter in a crowded post-play second, with Vikings defenders converging throughout Minnesota’s abroad matchup at Aviva Stadium within the NFL’s 2025 regular-season showcase. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Each summer season, particularly in the course of the “slow” time on the calendar, we ask VikingsTerritory writers for his or her hottest takes relating to the upcoming season, predictions which might be daring and outlandish. This 12 months isn’t any completely different. You possibly can learn final 12 months’s right here.
Bear in mind: these takes are designed to be “out there.” We’ll have formal predictions — severe ones — later this summer season.
Dallas Turner’s Sack Surge Units the Tone for VT’s Forecast
Minnesota Vikings outdoors linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts after a second-half play towards the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Oct 19, 2025. Turner confirmed emotion after the snap in Minneapolis, including one other sideline-ready second throughout a bodily matchup with the defending NFC energy inside Minnesota’s house stadium that afternoon. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
1. Dallas Turner Registers Extra Sacks than Jonathan Greenard in 2 Years
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
Greenard arrived in 2024 and logged 12 QB takedowns in his first marketing campaign in purple en path to Professional Bowl recognition. Yr No. 2 delivered underwhelming returns with solely 3 sacks. That makes 15 sacks in a Vikings uniform, a complete his successor, Dallas Turner, will eclipse in his first 12 months as a starter.
2. Jordan Addison Traded
Predictor: Tony Schultz
After a profitable coaching camp and folks as soon as once more attempting to anoint a brand new model of “3 Deep,” the Vikings offense can be buzzing into week 4. Everyone seems to be glad.
The most popular a part of this take is that he can be traded to the Jets for a 1st-Spherical choose. They’re set to have three picks within the 1st Spherical coming from trades with Dallas and Indianapolis. The Jets may have their very own excessive choose for a quarterback.
Nonetheless, one or each of these different two picks can be center of the spherical or later, and they might fairly get somebody with expertise than gamble on an unknown rookie for the third time on the primary day of the draft.
3. Three Vikings WRs Hit 1,200+ Yards
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
The 2026 Vikings have probably the greatest WR trios within the NFL, with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. With what needs to be improved QB play with Kyler Murray, this Vikings’ offense will find yourself as probably the greatest passing offenses of the last decade.
4. J.J. McCarthy Will get within the Lineup, Performs Nice
Predictor: Steven Hoikkala
With Kyler Murray lacking video games in 4 of his final 5 seasons because the beginning QB, there can be a possibility for J.J. McCarthy to see the sphere. If that occurs, I feel McCarthy reveals vital enchancment and makes a really robust determination for the Vikings on the finish of the 2026 season, no matter Murray’s productive 2026 season; if he misses time once more, it is going to be 5-6 seasons with vital time missed.
5. Dillon Bell Is the WR4
Predictor: Cole Smith
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray throws a move to huge receiver Dillon Bell throughout minicamp apply on the TCO Efficiency Heart in June 2026. Murray linked with Bell in Eagan as Minnesota labored via offseason drills, evaluating new offensive mixtures whereas the rookie receiver earned summer season reps alongside the veteran quarterback in O’Connell’s offense. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Dillon Bell wins the WR4 spot, and it forces the Vikings to commerce/minimize Tai Felton. Bell was catching passes from Kyler Murray throughout OTAs and offers an intriguing ability set. Felton might have been a Third-Spherical choose in 2025, however Nolan Teasley didn’t make the choice.
6. The Vikings End 11-6, Win a Playoff Recreation, and Lose to Rams in Divisional Spherical
Predictor: Dustin Baker
Minnesota has the roster to succeed in the postseason, because the Kyler Murray experiment will work out emphatically. Within the Wildcard Spherical, the Vikings will chip off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints, successful their first postseason recreation in six years.
They’ll then run into the Los Angeles Rams buzzsaw, however most can be optimistic heading into the 2027 offseason, eyeing an apparent extension for Murray. And since Rob Brzezinski reset the wage cap this offseason, subsequent March gained’t really feel all quiet and hindered.
Bonus: the Inexperienced Bay Packers will miss the playoffs.
7. T.J. Hockenson Leads the NFL in Receiving Yards
Predictor: Adam New
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson celebrates after reaching the top zone towards the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Nov 12, 2023. Hockenson scored within the second quarter in Minneapolis, serving to energize the house crowd as Minnesota constructed offensive momentum earlier than halftime throughout a productive first half. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities.
With a brand new contract to play for, Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson may have an enormous return to type and lead the league at his place in receiving yards for the 2026 season.
8. Demond Claiborne Leads the Vikings Backfield in Complete Yards
Predictor: Wes Johnson
Minnesota’s longstanding drought with out an impactful younger operating again is over, as Claiborne cooks.
t9. J.J. McCarthy Traded
Predictor: Brevan Bane
The Vikings commerce J.J. McCarthy away to “greener pastures” after Kyler Murray will get off to a scorching begin. Murray poses an damage threat, however the Vikings determined to convey Carson Wentz again in 2026. That might’ve been for a purpose.
t9. J.J. McCarthy Traded
Predictor: Ted Schwerzler
J.J. McCarthy doesn’t make it to the common season for Minnesota and is traded after Kyler Murray takes the beginning job.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
