Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers extensive receiver Jauan Jennings (15) takes a selfie after the sport towards the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photographs
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t conduct an offseason fairly as busy per participant motion because the 2024 and 2025 offseasons, however that doesn’t imply the membership has a scarcity of recent starters. Primarily based on pure depth chart turnover, the Vikings are on deck to showcase eight new starters in 2026 on offense and protection.
So, to get you ready for coaching camp, which is lower than eight weeks away, right here’s a listing of recent starters and a few who’re trending to start out.
Vikings’ Depth Chart Has a Contemporary Look This Summer season
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray goes via pregame warmups earlier than dealing with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Area. Murray ready to steer Arizona’s offense whereas persevering with his return to regular-season motion late within the 12 months. The scene unfolded on Dec. 24, 2023, because the Cardinals and Bears met in Chicago. Obligatory Credit score: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports activities.
1. Kyler Murray (QB)
Except J.J. McCarthy scores a large and unexpected summer time upset, Murray is on the town to carry down the fort at QB1 and reestablish himself as one of many NFL’s premier passers. As soon as upon a time, he was thought-about the league’s subsequent large factor, however the experiment in Arizona didn’t work out.
Murray brings velocity, arm power, expertise, and accuracy to Minnesota’s huddle — at a 5’10” top. That’s the one knock on the man: his dimension and sturdiness.
The Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings.
2. Max Bredeson (FB)
C.J. Ham retired a number of months in the past, together with Adam Thielen, and Minnesota wasted no time drafting Ham’s substitute. Bredeson, a teammate of McCarthy at Michigan, brings hybrid TE-FB utility, and all indicators level to him taking up the Ham function.
It’s debatable whether or not a fullback technically “starts” lately within the trendy NFL, however you get it.
Purple Insider‘s Matthe Coller wrote in April, “It’s fair to wonder if the fifth round was a little early for a pure blocker but his blocking numbers and scouting reports suggest that he has a chance to be a difference maker in that role. Last year Bredeson posted an 85.2 PFF run blocking grade and 78.1 pass blocking grade. He allowed zero QB pressures last year and zero sacks as a blocker for his entire career.”
“Picking Bredeson may be a sign of what’s to come with the Vikings run game after hiring former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. The Dolphins were top notch in the run game with FB Alec Ingold on the field. Bredeson should jump into the fray quickly in that spot.”
3. Jauan Jennings (WR)
Jennings spent seven seasons in San Francisco and has chosen Minnesota for his profession’s second chapter. When given the targets within the offense, he generally is a 1,000-yard man. He’ll should carve out a job amongst Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, however for Vikings followers, that’s a champagne downside.
4. Blake Brandel (C)
Ryan Kelly retired. The Vikings signed zero free-agent facilities. They usually drafted Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati in Spherical 7. The clues level to Brandel beginning at middle after he took over for Kelly final 12 months, whereas Kelly battled a number of concussions.
It’s fairly the audition for Brandel; he has the chance to latch on as Minnesota’s long-term middle for the following 5-7 years.
5. Caleb Banks (DT) — Perhaps
Minnesota swerved in April, drafting Banks, who’s recovering from back-to-back foot accidents. Most onlookers thought the Vikings would draft Oregon security Dillon Thieneman, however that mock-draft-community principle fell flat.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks celebrates after recovering a fumble towards LSU throughout SEC motion at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Banks delivered a momentum-shifting play for Florida and helped energize the house crowd throughout the contest. The turnover occurred on Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville towards the Tigers. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Photographs.
Banks, a person with All-Professional-caliber instruments, will begin earlier than too lengthy; it’s a matter of when. All eyes will monitor him at coaching camp, as that ought to undertaking whether or not Banks might be prepared for September or begin the season on the Bodily Unable to Carry out checklist.
6. Domonique Orange (DT) — Perhaps
The Vikings have a brand new nostril sort out, and his nickname is Huge Citrus — for apparent causes. He comes from Iowa State and is thought for stuffing the run, which is precisely what you need from a nostril sort out.
Veteran Levi Drake Rodriguez will angle to start out the season at nostril sort out, however primarily based on Orange’s Third-Spherical draft inventory, it’s most likely a protected wager that he’ll get the nod Week 1.
7. Dallas Turner (OLB)
For 2 seasons, Turner remained quasi-buried behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard on the purple depth chart. These days are over. Minnesota traded Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles throughout the draft, clearing a path for Turner to start out — lastly — in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner traces up on protection throughout an NFC Wild Card matchup towards the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Turner contributed to Minnesota’s postseason effort whereas gaining worthwhile playoff expertise early in his profession. The snap occurred on Jan. 13, 2025, throughout the Vikings’ playoff look. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
When Greenard obtained damage final 12 months, Turner changed into a compelled fumble machine. Now, he’ll be a full-time compelled fumble machine.
8. Jay Ward (S)
Harrison Smith is just not at present on the Vikings’ roster — it’s the primary time anyone has typed that since 2011 — and if that holds, Ward stands to profit. He took over for Theo Jackson late final 12 months, exhibiting off his aggression and ball-tracking in Minnesota’s secondary.
If Smith retires, the Vikings will possible showcase Josh Metellus and Ward as the 2 beginning safeties towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers on September thirteenth.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
