Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer drops again to cross in the course of the second half towards the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Subject. The rookie signal-caller continued gaining worthwhile recreation expertise whereas Minnesota evaluated its quarterback depth late within the 2025 season. Nov. 30, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Ng-Imagn Photographs.
The Minnesota Vikings had some vivid “winners” this offseason, together with heart Blake Brandel, who’s on faucet to begin at heart after the membership added no starting-caliber different, and huge receiver Justin Jefferson, who now has Kyler Murray to throw him the pigskin on Sundays.
However what concerning the losers? The Vikings, by their actions, triggered a few of these, too. Counted right down to the largest loser of the 2026 offseason, right here’s the pecking order.
Vikings’ New Depth Chart Squeezes A number of Younger Gamers
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Walter Rouse (78) goes by warmups throughout coaching camp observe on Aug. 2, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. The rookie lineman labored by summer season drills whereas attempting to construct momentum, earn belief from the teaching workers, and carve out a depth position on Minnesota’s offensive line this summer season. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
5. Walter Rouse | OT
Rouse’s path to creating the staff is definitely simple.
If the Vikings view him as a guard, he has a a lot clearer shot at securing a roster spot. In the event that they nonetheless see him as a deal with, nonetheless, his prospects change into difficult. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are entrenched starters. Ryan Van Demark was acquired for veteran depth in March, and Caleb Tiernan joined the staff in Spherical 3 of April’s draft. None of those gamers suggests a necessity for a “fourth tackle.”
That locations Rouse in a tough place.
He doubtless wasn’t happy with Minnesota’s offseason strikes except a place swap is imminent. A transfer to protect might provide him extra alternatives, however remaining at deal with might result in a numbers recreation in August that he won’t win amid roster cuts.
Including Van Demark and Tiernan wasn’t superb for Rouse — except he’s a guard now.
4. Levi Drake Rodriguez | DT
After Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks in Spherical 1, there was simply no means it might decide one other defensive deal with within the first three rounds, proper? Unsuitable.
The Vikings selected “Big Citrus” Domoninque Orange from Iowa State, a run-stuffing nostril deal with who profiles to play sooner moderately than later. With out the Orange choice, all indicators pointed to Rodriguez’s uptick in enjoying time as a result of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave had been dropped in March.
As an alternative, Rodriguez is again proper the place he was in 2025 — hoping to snag defensive snaps in a DT room that has three others (Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange) in entrance of him.
3. Tai Felton | WR
Felton’s state of affairs has modified quickly.
For a time, he gave the impression to be one of many quiet beneficiaries of the offseason. Minnesota didn’t draft a large receiver in April, seemingly clearing a path for him to advance on the depth chart. However Rob Brzezinski’s acquisition of Jauan Jennings all of a sudden offered the Vikings with their strongest WR3 choice on paper since Jake Reed.
Vikings huge receiver Tai Felton secures a contested catch as Giants cornerback Deonte Banks closes in on Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The younger wideout confirmed route timing and dependable palms whereas Minnesota evaluated its receiver depth towards starting-caliber defensive backs in reside regular-season motion that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Yannick Peterhans-Imagn Photographs.
And that wasn’t the one growth.
Dillon Bell has been spectacular at minicamp. Myles Value is a powerful candidate to remain resulting from his return recreation skills. And, after all, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are usually not going wherever. Contemplating all these components, Felton could should earn a job in August moderately than merely inheriting it.
There’s one other complication: the overall supervisor who drafted him in Spherical 3 final 12 months was canned in January. Ergo, it’s conceivable that Minnesota might retain Jefferson, Addison, Jennings, Value, and Bell, probably ending the Felton period after only one season. Whereas this consequence appears drastic, it’s not not possible.
Felton’s future now rests totally on his efficiency. He should stand off the web page to show he’s not one other failed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah draft decide.
2. Max Brosmer | QB
This one is fairly elementary: the Vikings signed Murray because the QB1 resolution in March and re-upped with Carson Wentz. These strikes drove Brosmer to the QB4 spot, which suggests he’ll both change into a practice-squader or be minimize in late August.
With out the Wentz re-signing, Brosmer might’ve been the QB3 for the 2026 Vikings. Not occurring now.
1. J.J. McCarthy | QB
McCarthy’s 2026 season presents two starkly totally different potentialities.
By December or January, he might solidify his place as Minnesota’s long-term beginning quarterback, fulfilling the Vikings’ unique perception in him. However, he may discover himself going through a commerce by 2027, left to ponder how rapidly his fortunes turned.
The stakes are exceptionally excessive — by the roof for the younger passer. Not like final 12 months, when the Vikings basically handed McCarthy the QB1 position with none competitors by any means, this season guarantees an intense battle. Murray’s arrival in Minnesota alerts his clear intention to play, to not sit behind a 23-year-old quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) delivers a cross throughout second-quarter preseason motion towards the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The rookie passer confirmed poise and clear mechanics whereas giving followers an early glimpse of his long-term upside in Kevin O’Connell’s offense that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
McCarthy faces a real take a look at. He might emerge because the hero of 2026 or change into commerce fodder in 2027. The approaching months will start to disclose which path his profession will take.
The Vikings might’ve brushed apart the concept of signing Murray and rolled with McCarthy. As an alternative, they signed Murray and fired the man who drafted McCarthy. Except he prevails because the QB1 to begin the common season towards all odds, the offseason was totally horrible for McCarthy.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
