Washington Redskins cornerback Fabian Moreau stands on the sphere earlier than a preseason recreation towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 31, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Moreau entered the NFL that 12 months as a third-round draft decide from UCLA and later developed into a flexible defensive again throughout a number of franchises. Necessary Credit score: Kim Klement-Imagn Photographs
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster is totally stocked in late Might, however earlier than the tip of the summer time, the membership might swap a number of gamers, relying on what occurs at coaching camp. As all the time, the crew might name on some former Vikings, and right here’s a have a look at the most definitely candidates.
Minnesota’s roster should still have room for previous associates at working again, cornerback, middle, and security.
Ranked in ascending order of chance, right here’s who is smart for reunions (No. 1 = most definitely reunion candidate).
Acquainted Names Who May Reenter the Combine for Vikings
To get the band again collectively …
Minnesota Vikings working again Cam Akers (27) carries the soccer towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Dec. 29, 2024, throughout the second quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Akers contributed invaluable depth to Minnesota’s backfield late within the season, offering regular speeding manufacturing because the Vikings battled Inexperienced Bay in a pivotal NFC North matchup. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs
4. Cam Akers | RB
Akers wouldn’t discover a straightforward path to enjoying time in Minnesota. The Vikings’ present working again room consists of Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, Zavier Scott, and Kejon Owens. With Jones, Mason, and Claiborne showing to be stable roster locks, Akers would seemingly compete with Scott for the RB4 place if he have been to return.
Regardless of the obvious restricted alternative, Akers has a historical past of securing roster spots towards expectations. The Seahawks launched him earlier this month, and whereas the Vikings don’t have an pressing want for him, Akers has beforehand landed in Minnesota even when not an apparent precedence. It’s sort of a working joke — Minnesota can not give up Akers.
Regardless of being solely 26, Akers’ six-season profession consists of 2,044 speeding yards on 507 carries, 17 whole touchdowns, and 52 receptions for 388 yards. His most compelling story is his bouncebackability. Two Achilles tears sometimes derail a working again’s profession, but Akers has constantly fought his manner again onto NFL rosters.
In brief, the Vikings don’t want Akers, however his potential return shouldn’t come as a shock. They all the time discover a option to get him.
3. A Garrett Bradbury Commerce
The Vikings’ middle place presents a transparent selection: both Blake Brandel solidifies his position, or the crew seeks a extra acquainted possibility. Brandel is poised to be the beginning middle in 2026 if the Vikings keep their present roster. He stepped in final season following accidents to the beginning middle and steadily improved all through his tenure.
Minnesota additionally has Michael Jurgens, a late-round choice from the 2024 NFL Draft, and Gavin Gerhardt, a Seventh-Spherical rookie whom the Vikings reportedly view as greater than only a developmental prospect. They particularly scouted Gerhardt as a possible middle answer, choosing him over different prospects like Logan Jones and Jake Slaughter.
Which brings us to Bradbury.
Chicago acquired him in March, sending a Fifth-Rounder to New England. Nonetheless, the Bears’ subsequent drafting of Logan Jones final month considerably altered their plans. Jones’ age and draft place point out he was seemingly chosen to contribute sooner fairly than later, doubtlessly even beginning in 2026. He’s 25 as a rookie.
This transfer diminished Chicago’s leverage with Bradbury. The Bears can not realistically anticipate to commerce Bradbury for greater than they paid solely months later. A crew in dire want of a middle might seemingly purchase him for a Fifth or Sixth-Spherical decide, a consequence of Chicago signaling its intentions within the draft.
Minnesota Vikings middle Garrett Bradbury (56) strains up towards the Los Angeles Rams throughout the NFC Wild Card recreation on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Bradbury anchored the center of Minnesota’s offensive line throughout the playoff matchup whereas persevering with his longtime position because the Vikings’ beginning middle. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
For the Vikings, the choice is simple: ship a late-round decide from a doubtlessly deep 2027 draft class to Chicago for a participant they know intimately, or proceed into the season with Brandel, Jurgens, and Gerhardt. The one important hurdle is the NFC North rivalry; Minnesota would want to beat the bizarre hurdle of buying and selling throughout the division.
2. Fabian Moreau | CB
Final season, the Vikings didn’t require Moreau to be a star; they merely wanted him to stabilize a skimpy secondary. Why? Minnesota’s shaky cornerback depth. Byron Murphy Jr. was a recognized amount, Isaiah Rodgers provided upside, and Jeff Okudah was a reclamation lottery ticket. Dwight McGlothern and Zemaiah Vaughn have been largely unproven, which means a single harm might have created weekly complications on the place.
When Okudah suffered an early concussion, adopted by one other, and struggled, basically, Minnesota turned to Moreau over McGlothern, a transfer that proved profitable. Moreau earned a 70.9 Professional Soccer Focus grade and allowed a mere 47.4 passer ranking on 19 targets. The efficiency was exactly what the Vikings wanted: a disciplined, veteran exterior nook able to stopping breakdowns and stabilizing all the cornerback unit.
The query for 2026 is whether or not Minnesota desires to carry him again as a depth piece.
At 32, Moreau isn’t a long-term answer, nor does he should be. A reliable CB3 or CB4 nonetheless holds important worth, significantly for a crew conscious about how rapidly cornerback depth can erode. If the Vikings search yet one more exterior nook behind Murphy, Rodgers, James Pierre, and rookie Charles Demmings, Moreau’s confirmed reliability is simple. They will even signal Moreau to the apply squad. He’s used to that.
1. Harrison Smith | S
This one is as simple because it will get: Will Smith return or retire?
Minnesota Vikings security Harrison Smith (22) prepares earlier than the snap towards the Los Angeles Rams throughout the NFC Wild Card recreation on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Smith continued serving because the veteran centerpiece of Minnesota’s secondary whereas main the protection in one other postseason look for the franchise. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
The Vikings handled his remaining recreation in 2025 as a retirement send-off, however then Smith hasn’t expressly retired. If he desires to play yet one more 12 months, that will likely be in Minnesota, making him the obvious reunion candidate for the summer time of 2026.
Smith Watch has lasted over 4 months.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
