Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson celebrated in the long run zone after scoring in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, giving Minnesota one other residence spotlight throughout a high-scoring afternoon. On December 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Jefferson completed the landing play as cameras adopted the star receiver after crossing the objective line for Minnesota. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
VikingsTerritory chronicled the primary losers from the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason final month; now, it’s time to take a look at the brilliant aspect and determine the winners. You’ll be able to learn in regards to the losers right here.
Whereas the purple workforce didn’t fairly go on a spending spree just like the 2024 and 2025 offseasons, a handful of clear offseason winners nonetheless emerged. Gamers are ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = participant who received the offseason probably the most).
Dallas Turner Headlines the Summer time Momentum Record
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins moved via place drills at Lucas Oil Stadium whereas scouts intently evaluated his athletic profile and interior-line upside. On February 27, 2025, in Indianapolis, Ingram-Dawkins participated within the NFL Mix as draft prospects labored via testing and discipline work earlier than workforce conferences formed the spring course of. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos.
5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL
When the Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard throughout the draft, it created a gap for an additional outdoors linebacker to see taking part in time in 2026, with most followers assuming the membership would draft one or signal a veteran free agent. Minnesota ended up choosing Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, who was listed as an inside linebacker on most draftboards whereas signing no main EDGEs from free company.
Quick ahead to OTAs and minicamp, and Ingram-Dawkins evidently plans to change positions from DT to OLB, or at the least be deployed in a hybrid capability. If the experiment works, he can snatch extra snaps all through the common season and change into an instrumental defender for defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The Vikings don’t have to signal Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney, or Leonard Floyd if Ingram-Dawkins is the actual deal at OLB.
4. Brian Flores | DC
If Flores absolutely anticipated to earn a heading coach job in January or February, then, after all, he didn’t win the offseason. But, as Flores’s lawsuit in opposition to the NFL continues to tunnel via the authorized system, he in all probability is aware of a head teaching gig is an extended shot.
So, what occurred for Flores within the offseason? Solely the Vikings’ most defensive draft in franchise historical past: Minnesota drafted 4 defensive gamers within the first three rounds. That marked probably the most defensive gamers the workforce has ever chosen in Rounds 1-3 of a single draft.
Earlier than the beginning of Spherical 4, interim normal supervisor Rob Brzezinski handed these rookies to Flores:
Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Jake Golday | LB, Cincinnati
Domonique Orange | DT, Iowa State
Jakobe Thomas | S, Miami
New toys. Theoretically, all of these might’ve been offensive gamers. They weren’t.
3. Justin Jefferson | WR
Jefferson notched 1,048 receiving yards in 2025, with 2 touchdowns. Is that good? Completely. Is that good for Jefferson? Completely not.
The 27-year-old averages over 1,500 receiving yards over 17 video games, so the 1,048 yards final 12 months felt like a letdown and a downturn. Minnesota’s quarterbacks struggled, biking via J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Jefferson skilled no stability, and three passers showcased their limitations.
How did the Vikings reply? By signing Kyler Murray in March, a person who doesn’t have main points distributing the soccer to premium playmakers. If the Vikings’ fundamental objective this offseason was to maintain Jefferson completely satisfied, signing Murray was the most effective life like choice.
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson warmed up at U.S. Financial institution Stadium earlier than a divisional matchup with the Detroit Lions, drawing consideration throughout pregame routines. On October 20, 2024, in Minneapolis, Jefferson ready for an additional NFC North take a look at as Minnesota readied its offense in opposition to Detroit in entrance of the house crowd. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photos.
They nabbed Murray for $1.3 million.
Jefferson additionally has the benefit of fellow huge receiver Jauan Jennings becoming a member of the depth chart because the WR3. Jennings is probably the most promising Vikings WR3 addition in many years and may unlock defenders for Jefferson to additional cook dinner. If opposing defenses choose to double-team Jefferson, they need to take care of Jordan Addison and Jennings.
2. Blake Brandel | C
Brandel noticed motion at middle in 2025 when Ryan Kelly missed 9 video games because of concussions. He improved every week, a lot in order that head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips need to see extra. Minnesota might’ve signed about 4 respectable facilities in free company or drafted 4 within the first few rounds of the draft. It did nothing. Brandel is their man.
Normally, Brandel is in line for jack-of-all-trades responsibility getting into a daily season. He’s that versatile and is all of a sudden one of many longest-tenured Vikings on the roster. This go-around, Minnesota determined he has the chops to be a beginning middle.
It’s additionally value noting that Brandel’s contract expires on the finish of the common season.
1. Dallas Turner | OLB
Drumroll: After patiently ready behind Andrew Van Ginkel and the aforementioned Greenard for 2 seasons, Turner has climbed the depth chart to attain the function of an undisputed starter. There isn’t a one else on the Vikings’ roster who can restrict Turner’s snaps, as was the case in 2024 and 2025.
Minnesota Vikings outdoors linebacker Dallas Turner celebrated after a play at U.S. Financial institution Stadium because the protection seemed for early momentum in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons. On September 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Turner reacted throughout the first half, giving Minnesota one other flash from its younger edge rusher in a house matchup that afternoon. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos.
Former normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded the entire kitchen pantry to nab Turner in Spherical 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft; now it’s time for him to strut his stuff. Turner has performed properly in his first two seasons, nevertheless it at all times felt abbreviated as a result of people knew Van Ginkel and Turner had the benefit of depth chart placement.
These days are over. In 2026, it’s The Dallas Turner Present.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
