Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops within the pocket at Lambeau Area earlier than Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) closes for a sack, with Nov. 23, 2025 marking the first-half divisional play in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. Turner finishes the stress as Minnesota’s protection creates an early highway assertion towards Love. Obligatory Credit score: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Pictures.
The Minnesota Vikings misplaced some veteran gamers this offseason, which is customary working process for each NFL staff. To make up for losses, present gamers might be anticipated to step up, together with a complete bunch of rookies. It’s simply the way in which it goes.
In 2026, these are these males for the Vikings, listed in alphabetical order — veterans whose job descriptions will improve.
Dallas Turner’s Promotion Has the Loudest Summer time Stakes
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Blake Brandel (64) goes by means of warm-ups at Paul Brown Stadium earlier than dealing with the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12, 2021. Brandel labored by means of pregame drills in Cincinnati whereas getting ready for particular groups and depth duties, with teammates shifting round him through the early-afternoon setup earlier than Minnesota’s highway opener. Obligatory Credit score: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Blake Brandel | C
The Vikings have a historical past of unconventional middle choices, and Brandel is perhaps probably the most shocking, given his presence on the staff.
Final season, Brandel performed 383 snaps at middle, indicating this isn’t merely a fleeting experiment. Whereas his 61.4 PFF grade isn’t spectacular, it revealed a vital fact: Minnesota could have discovered a viable participant for a place that may maintain down the fort.
That makes Week 1 a crucial juncture. With Brandel slated to begin at middle, the experiment turns into actuality. If he performs adequately, the Vikings may resolve this place with out the frantic seek for options subsequent offseason.
If not, it’s again to sq. one. Brandel’s worth has at all times stemmed from his versatility. He can play guard, shift to deal with, and now has a respectable alternative at middle. Final season, he was indispensable, enjoying in all 17 video games, together with 9 begins, and dealing with 64% of the offensive snaps.
Groups typically dedicate whole offseasons to discovering stopgap gamers. Brandel, nevertheless, is perhaps that uncommon particular person who can’t solely fill a void but in addition safe the job long-term.
Joe Huber | G
Huber is included on this listing “just in case.” The Vikings will begin guards Donovan Jackson and Will Fries in 2026, but when one will get injured, Huber figures to be the subsequent man up. In any other case, Minnesota must convert deal with Walter Rouse to protect.
The undrafted rookie from 2025 noticed motion as a rookie and stays on the roster with coaching camp 3.5 weeks away. For now, he appears to be the first backup guard. Accidents spanked the Vikings’ offensive line in 2025. If that occurs once more, Huber could possibly be a starter.
Dallas Turner | OLB
This season marks the second the Vikings will lastly justify the substantial funding made in Turner. No extra speak of extra “waiting for snaps” and no extra relegating him to a backup position behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. With Greenard now an Eagle, Turner’s time has arrived.
It’s thrilling as a result of Turner’s projected 2025 sack numbers and his knack for forcing fumbles recommend a participant able to way over merely becoming into Brian Flores’ protection. He possesses the expertise to change into a go rusher who can singlehandedly alter the course of a drive.
Most Vikings followers would possible be content material with him merely solidifying a beginning position, reserving Professional Bowl aspirations for 2027 or 2028. That’s an affordable expectation. Nonetheless, Turner’s ascension may occur even sooner.
Minnesota didn’t draft him to be a rotational participant. The Vikings expended appreciable draft capital for a high-impact defensive expertise. Now, he’ll obtain the snaps to show that funding was worthwhile.
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner seems on the Play Soccer Prospect Clinic at The Nook Ballpark in Detroit on Apr 24, 2024. Turner took half within the NFL Draft week occasion earlier than becoming a member of the Minnesota Vikings, giving cameras one other take a look at one of many class’s premier defensive prospects in a neighborhood setting. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz famous on Turner final month, “A substantial part of the calculus of trading Greenard is that the Vikings need to see what they have full-time in Turner, who they traded up for in the first round two years ago.”
“He came alive in the second half of last season and has an arrow pointing straight up heading into year three at 23 years old. Turner emerging as a star would help fans forget about the Greenard trade pretty quickly.”
Jay Ward | S
Essentially the most mysterious assertion within the present Vikings panorama is that this: Harrison Smith just isn’t presently on the roster. He could return; he could also be retired. No one is aware of. If Smith stays away or retires, Ward stands to be one of many greatest beneficiaries on the whole depth chart.
He already offered the Vikings with compelling causes to think about him. Late final season, Ward surpassed Theo Jackson, injecting extra depth into the secondary. His aggressive play was noticeable, and his ball-tracking capability proved useful. The protection as a complete appeared extra dynamic with him on the sphere.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr celebrates with security Jay Ward and linebacker Pat Jones II after a fourth-quarter fumble restoration at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Nov 27, 2023. Barr’s takeaway energized Minnesota late towards the Chicago Bears, giving the Vikings a momentum jolt throughout a tense Monday Night time Soccer divisional matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
If Smith is certainly carried out, Minnesota would possible enter Week 1 towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers with Josh Metellus and Ward because the beginning safeties.
It represents a monumental problem for Ward, however it’s exactly the form of alternative younger defensive backs attempt for over two years. The Vikings could have an open security spot, and Ward is at the moment within the prime place to assert it. It’s additionally the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, also called go-time.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
