Heading into every summer time, each NFL crew has gamers on the roster bubble — that’s simply the best way it goes. The next listing is the Minnesota Vikings’ model for 2026.
Minnesota’s summer time roster math might get uncomfortable for some dudes.
The membership at the moment employs 90 gamers, a quantity that shall be dwindled to 53 by the tip of August. Ranked in ascending order of impression, there are the roster-bubble guys in 2026 (No. 1 = highest-profile bubble man).
5 Vikings Going through Stress earlier than Coaching Camp
Who’s your high roster-bubble candidate?
Tennessee Titans defenders Cedric Grey and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. carry down Minnesota Vikings tight finish Ben Yurosek throughout preseason motion on Aug. 22, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Yurosek continued battling for a roster function throughout exhibition play as Minnesota evaluated depth choices at tight finish forward of ultimate roster cuts later within the preseason course of. Necessary Credit score: Andrew Nelles-The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs
5. Ben Yurosek (TE)
The best means to consider Yurosek, an undrafted free agent from 2025, on the roster bubble is to peek on the depth chart:
TE1: T.J. HockensonTE2: Josh OliverTE3: Ben YurosekTE4: Gavin BartholomewTE5: Bryson Nesbit
Minnesota used a Sixth-Spherical choose on Bartholomew final season, however he didn’t play in any respect because of accidents. If Bartholomew is the actual deal, nicely, Yurosek isn’t wanted. The Vikings must hold 4 tight ends to accommodate Yurosek.
Two issues are sure: Hockenson and Oliver gained’t be lower. That leaves Bartholomew versus Yurosek for TE3. Bartholomew’s draft inventory means that he’s the frontrunner.
4. Dwight McGlothern (CB)
Minnesota added two new cornerbacks this offseason to complicate McGlothern’s life: veteran James Pierre and rookie Charles Demmings.
Pierre and Demmings is not going to be launched amid roster trimdowns in August. Not occurring. That leaves McGlothern on the bubble, a well-known spot as a result of he’s often proper there on the 53-man cut-off or eyeing the observe squad.
Fortunately for his sake, the Vikings didn’t re-sign Jeff Okudah. McGlothern turns 24 this offseason, so if he desires to forge a severe NFL profession, now’s the time for him to make some noise.
3. Zavier Scott (RB)
Two phrases: Demond Claiborne. The Vikings drafted Claiborne from Wake Forest in Spherical 6 final month, and he shall be included on the common season roster, virtually it doesn’t matter what.
That forces a tough state of affairs for Scott, who lastly bought common season taking part in time final yr as an RB3. The Vikings will most likely have to hold 4 halfbacks to maintain Scott’s job protected.
From a Might perspective, Scott looks like an odd man out or a observe squad man as soon as once more.
2. Walter Rouse (OT)
Bear in mind the tight finish depth chart? Right here’s the OT model in Might:
Christian Darrisaw
Brian O’Neill
Ryan Van Demark
Caleb Tiernan
Walter Rouse
Caleb Etienne
Tristan Leigh
When the membership finalized the 2025 53-man roster, it saved 4 offensive tackles. Proper now, Rouse can fairly be thought of the OT5. As a result of additions of Van Demark and Tiernan, Rouse will face severe competitors this summer time, whereas in years previous, he was only a shoo-in due to skimpy OT depth.
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Walter Rouse warms up earlier than observe throughout coaching camp on Aug. 2, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. Rouse entered camp as a developmental offensive lineman competing for depth-chart positioning whereas Minnesota continued evaluating long-term choices alongside the offensive entrance throughout preparations for the common season. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Rouse should pray that the Vikings need 5 OTs in September. In any other case, it’s a observe squad destiny across the bend.
Our Kyle Joudry famous on Rouse in late March, “Sometimes, teams allow veterans to leave since there’s an in-house young fella who is ready to step up. Look at the decision to say goodbye to Jalen Nailor. Doing so offers a hint that there’s optimism for what Tai Felton can do.”
“Is the same true for Walter Rouse? It doesn’t appear so. The Vikings sent over $4.27 million to steal away OT3 Ryan Van Demark from the Bills. The offensive tackle was a 6th-Round selection in 2024. A modest rookie season was to be expected, but not as much rolling into his sophomore year.”
Joudry remarked on Rouse’s roster uncertainty earlier than Minnesota drafted Tiernan.
He concluded, “Rouse got some early work but then was inactive for a good portion of the season’s second half. Quite possibly, Minnesota lets the competition play out, but the Vikings have taken some actions that suggest a more pessimistic view of Rouse’s outlook. Seeing him get subtracted won’t be super surprising.”
1. Theo Jackson (S)
Jackson’s path to taking part in time has change into considerably tougher, even earlier than readability emerges relating to Harrison Smith’s future.
Minnesota Vikings security Theo Jackson reacts throughout an NFC wild-card matchup towards the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jackson continued carving out a bigger defensive function late within the season as Minnesota leaned on its secondary depth throughout postseason motion towards the eventual NFC playoff consultant. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
The Vikings’ Third-Spherical choice of security Jakobe Thomas introduces one other younger security with an identical ability set to Jackson’s. This additional problematizes an already tough state of affairs for Jackson, whose taking part in time diminished late within the 2025 season when the Vikings benched him in favor of Jay Ward. Consequently, even when Smith had been to depart, Jackson nonetheless faces a formidable uphill battle for a roster spot or vital snaps.
Ought to Smith return for his fifteenth season, Jackson’s prospects could be even bleaker. He might discover himself combating for any taking part in time in the course of the season or just striving to safe a spot on the crew by September. Jackson, as a roster-bubble man, is known as a if-this-then-that state of affairs relating to Smith. Jackson’s job safety could change if Smith returns.
All advised, Jackson posted a 68.4 grade from Professional Soccer Focus final yr, whereas his teammate Ward notched a 70.4 grade. Brian Flores could deploy Ward in 2026 as a substitute of Jackson.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
