Could 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray attends the sport between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers through the fifth inning at Chase Discipline. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports activities
It’s jersey-number time for the Minnesota Vikings offseason, when the franchise assigns digits to rookies and new veteran gamers. This 12 months, quarterback Kyler Murray leads the best way together with his predictable No. 1.
Minnesota’s rookie class and free-agent additions now have official numbers.
The Vikings drafted 9 rookies final month, so we now have the 9 new jersey numbers for the purple plenty.
Rookies and Newcomers Get Their First Vikings Digits
Begin serious about your new jerseys to buy.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks observes drills throughout Professional Day exercises at Sanders Apply Fields in Gainesville, Florida. In the course of the March 26, 2026, pre-draft showcase, Banks continued drawing NFL consideration together with his mixture of measurement, explosiveness, and inside pass-rushing upside after a productive collegiate profession that elevated his inventory forward of the upcoming draft. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Solar / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos.
The Early Spherical Rookies
Minnesota lastly drafted a whole class this go-round; final 12 months, the membership picked simply 5 rookies due to the costly Dallas Turner commerce.
These are the brand new jersey numbers for the Rounds 1-3 guys:
Caleb Banks (DT) | Jersey No: 95
Jake Golday (LB) | Jersey No: 41
Domonique Orange (DT) | Jersey No: 97
Caleb Tiernan (OT) | Jersey No: 78
Jakobe Thomas (S) | Jersey No: 8
On Banks, the latest Viking to put on No. 95 was defensive sort out Khyiris Tonga, who was apparently not a precedence when Brian Flores took over the protection in 2023. Sarcastically, the final time the Vikings picked a defensive sort out in Spherical 1 was 13 years in the past — a person named Sharrif Floyd. He additionally wore No. 95 and performed school soccer at Georgia.
For Golday’s quantity, the final notable Viking to put on that was security Anthony Harris from 2015 to 2020.
Zone Protection‘s Zac Scholl on Golday: “Diving into Golday’s draft profiles, his game screams versatility. The guy did it all for the Bearcats this past season. He played in the box and slot in certain schemes and also played edge. That helped him gather First-Team All-Big 12 honors this past season. As we all know, Flores loves players who can play multiple positions. With his elite 6’4″ 239 lb. frame and athletic measureables, Minnesota will be able to play Golday all over the field.”
“His athletic profile was enough to land him at No. 48 on Bruce Feldman’s College Football Freaks List for 2025. Golday might have seemed like an odd pick at the moment. However, I believe he can bring versatility and consistency to the defense and grow into a jack-of-all-trades like Leber. Maybe interim general manager Rob Brzezinski saw the same potential in Golday as he saw in Leber back in 2006.”
After Spherical 4 Guys
On the late-rounders, jersey numbers have been assigned as follows:
Charles Demmings (CB) | Jersey No: 20
Max Bredeson (FB) | Jersey No: 45
Demond Claiborne (RB) | Jersey No: 21
Gavin Gerhardt (C) | Jersey No: 58
No. 20 was most famously worn by cornerback Bobby Bryant from 1968 to 1980. Lately, Duke Shelley, Mackenise Alexander, and Jeff Gladney have worn it, too.
Bredeson’s 45 is rarer. Cornerback Ed Sharockman wore it from 1961 to 1972 through the Vikings’ infancy. He was a baller. As of late, linebacker Troy Dye took the quantity from 2020 to 2023.
Earlier No. 21 house owners embody Terry Allen (RB), Corey Chavous (CB), and Jerick McKinnon. Notably, McKinnon is an honest comp for Claiborne. From 2018 to 2024, Mike Hughes (CB), Bashaud Breeland (CB), and Akayleb Evans (CB) brandished No. 21.
Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne powers by means of a sort out try from Stanford linebacker Tristan Sinclair throughout second-quarter motion at Stanford Stadium. On Oct. 26, 2024, Claiborne continued showcasing his steadiness, burst, and call toughness whereas serving to transfer the chains for the Demon Deacons in an ACC street matchup towards the Cardinal. Obligatory Credit score: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Photos.
The brand new heart? Gerhardt will put on Jonathan Greenard’s quantity after Greenard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on April twenty fourth. Earlier than Greenard, probably the most well-known Vikings to put on No. 58 included Wally Hilgenberg (LB), Ed McDaniel (LB), Jordan Hicks (LB), Michael Pierce (DT), and Walker Lee Ashley (LB). It’s a linebacker’s quantity, nearly solely.
SI.com‘s Russell Heltman on Gerhardt: “Gerhardt spent half this decade at Cincinnati, turning into what Scott Satterfield has said repeatedly is the greatest leader he’s ever been around. The veteran team captain earned that role for the third year in a row this past season, joining Dontay Corleone as one of four in program history to be bestowed that honor. In 2025, he started all 13 games, finishing with 49 starts for his UC career, which is tied for third in program history overall.”
The Free Agent Newcomers
Lastly, the principle free-agent newcomers picked digits:
Johnny Hekker (P) | Jersey No: 5Kyler Murray (QB) | Jersey No: 1James Pierre (CB) | Jersey No: 23
Hekker will battle undrafted free agent punter Brett Thorson this summer season at coaching camp. Thorson will put on No. 47. Murray retains his well-known No. 1 — that one was by no means doubtful. His nickname is “K1,” in spite of everything.
An in depth-up view exhibits the jersey of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throughout a divisional matchup towards the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. On Nov. 26, 2023, Murray returned to NFC West motion whereas persevering with his comeback season and reestablishing himself as Arizona’s franchise quarterback after recovering from a serious knee damage. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Pierre takes a quantity worn by Stephon Gilmore, Fabian Moreau, Andrew Sales space, Mike Boone, Xavier Woods, George Iloka, and Terence Newman within the final decade.
Considerably standard vast receiver Dillon Bell, additionally an undrafted free agent, is No. 89.
Rookie minicamp will get underway for the Vikings this week.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
