Oregon defensive again Dillon Thieneman participates in drills throughout the NFL Scouting Mix on Feb. 27, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thieneman showcased his athleticism, motion abilities, and protection capability in entrance of NFL scouts and evaluators as groups gathered info forward of the 2026 NFL Draft and the pre-draft choice course of. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs.
Heading into each offseason, Minnesota Vikings followers and varied media members manufacture some theories that come true — and a few that don’t fairly pan out. The next chronicles the takes that appeared doubtless on the time however later felt flat.
For instance, throughout the 2025 offseason, many consider that Minnesota would signal Aaron Rodgers. That didn’t occur. He performed for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Right here’s the 2026 version of poorly-aged Vikings theories.
Vikings Rumor Mill Missed on A number of Massive Names
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning speaks with defensive again Dillon Thieneman throughout an open observe session earlier than the Orange Bowl. Thieneman entered the season as certainly one of faculty soccer’s most recognizable defensive backs after transferring from Purdue and instantly drew consideration inside Oregon’s revamped secondary. Dec. 27, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Photographs.
1. Oregon Security Dillon Thieneman Was the Apparent Spherical 1 Draft Alternative
For about 4 to 6 weeks, each NFL mock draft — like each single one — linked Thieneman to the Vikings. It was nearly a variation of The Mandela Impact.
Regardless of no Vikings insiders validating the connection, the idea continued all the best way as much as draft night time on April twenty third. With Thieneman certainly on the board, absolutely Minnesota would choose Thieneman and name it good, proper? They simply needed to fulfill the prophecy, right? Completely not. The Vikings picked defensive sort out Caleb Banks, making the long term of Thiemenan-to-Minnesota theories look foolish.
In the meantime, Thieneman, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears, evidently didn’t run with the primary staff at OTAs this week. Bear Goggles On‘s Anthony Miller noticed, “It’s very early on in the process to prepare for 2026, and there has to be some kind of method to the madness, but it’s interesting to say the least that.”
“Thieneman is not with the starters. Johnson’s decision might come as the team tries to avoid rushing him into the lineup and to let him learn before being thrown into the starting lineup.”
2. The Vikings Would Draft a Notable RB, WR, and C
Some thought Minnesota would draft a working again like Jonah Coleman or Emmett Johnson earlier than the draft’s late rounds. The Vikings additionally hosted a litany of distinguished mid-round broad receivers earlier than the draft. And at middle, Blake Brandel was the one respectable possibility, a man who began his profession as a sort out and later switched to protect.
Interim basic supervisor Rob Brzezinski then chosen no gamers at these positions till Spherical 6.
As an alternative, the Vikings will roll with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason at working again, Jauan Jennings at WR3, and the aforementioned Brandel at middle. Followers will hope that Spherical 6 runner Demond Claiborne is a draft steal.
3. J.J. McCarthy Would Be Tradebait Due to Kyler Murray’s Arrival
Quickly after the Vikings signed Murray in March, the world determined that McCarthy might not have the ability to coexist with Murray. Some claimed he’d request a commerce; some stated he was gone through commerce throughout the draft.
None of that occurred, and McCarthy is presently locked in a quarterback competitors with Murray — similar to the Vikings marketed in March.
If McCarthy is traded, it would most likely be as a result of he soured on the franchise and wished a recent begin. That has not occurred but. NFL insider Jason La Canfora wrote this week, “Minnesota would likely not fetch much for McCarthy under these circumstances, and it might require an injury elsewhere to create more demand. If O’Connell couldn’t get much from him and opted to sell low on him, that would resonate around the league.”
“But it also stands to reason that obvious friction between a new QB you need to win with now, and one who has to quickly come to grips with watching games and not playing them so soon after being drafted that high, is far from ideal.”
4. Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson Would Be Lower
When the offseason arrived, many assumed that Minnesota would reduce Jones and Hockenson due to their hefty 2026 value tags. It will then have March and April to make use of free company and the draft as a clean canvas for brand new playmakers.
Minnesota Vikings working again Aaron Jones carries the soccer in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers throughout an NFC North showdown at Lambeau Discipline. Jones delivered a number of productive performances in his first season with Minnesota after spending years as a key offensive contributor for Inexperienced Bay. Sept. 29, 2024. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs.
But, the Vikings proposed paycuts for each, and the pair accepted. Jones and Hockenson took lesser salaries in 2026 and are actually slated to be unrestricted free brokers in 2027.
The takes about Jones and Hockenson launch certainly made sense, however they didn’t play out.
5. Jonathan Greenard Would Be a Longtime Viking
Danielle Hunter left the Vikings throughout the 2024 offseason, selecting his hometown staff, the Houston Texans, for his profession’s second chapter. Minnesota rotated and signed the Texans’ major go rusher — Greenard — to switch him.
It lasted two years.
Six weeks after signing Greenard, former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah finagled an costly commerce for Dallas Turner throughout the draft. That was apparently a choose to make Greenard’s keep brief in Minnesota as a result of the Vikings traded Greenard throughout the 2026 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard poses throughout NFC observe forward of the Professional Bowl Video games in Orlando. Greenard rapidly grew to become one of many Vikings’ most necessary defensive playmakers after becoming a member of the franchise, serving to lead Brian Flores’ protection with regular strain and affect manufacturing. Feb. 1, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs.
Most playoff-contending soccer groups don’t commerce their greatest EDGE defender, however Minnesota did exactly that. In actual fact, when the Greenard commerce rumors took maintain in March, it simply didn’t appear actual that the Vikings would commerce him.
However they did.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
