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With OTAs kicking off, the offseason coaching program is formally underway. There was a follow in late April and rookie minicamp, however now we now have the complete 90-man roster. It has been an uncommon offseason, with an interim GM and the interview course of for a everlasting one occurring in Might.
The Vikings Have A number of Roster Battles Brewing This Summer time
Each offseason and coaching camp are essential, however given the Vikings’ scenario, this one could also be an important since Kevin O’Connell’s arrival. I’d say that almost all of the positions have well-defined starters, however this doesn’t imply that there received’t be key battles for rotational roles. And, in fact, there’s a query mark above an important place within the sport.
QB1
That is the one that everybody was, is, and might be speaking about till September thirteenth. J.J. McCarthy had a foul season, which is why the Vikings opted to signal Kyler Murray. Kevin O’Connell stated he desires the QB room to be aggressive, and we’ll see within the first days of coaching camp how aggressive it’s.
Kyler Murray is the presumed starter proper now, and I doubt he’d signal if this weren’t the case. Murray is in the very best scenario of his profession and can have the chance to showcase the expertise that received him a Heisman and made him the first choose in 2019.
Nevertheless, McCarthy may also get his shot. He’s been working all offseason with John Beck, a non-public QB coach who’s well-respected across the league. If (and that’s a giant if) McCarthy exhibits the required enhancements, this might be a real competitors. Each have the expertise, however it can come all the way down to who’s extra constant. Admittedly, this was McCarthy’s greatest downside in 2025
The quarterback competitors won’t solely determine who would be the starter in 2026 but additionally considerably impression the Vikings within the quick and long-term future.
RB1
One that may fly underneath the radar or not occur in any respect. Each Jones and Mason battled by means of accidents final season, and this must be considered. Jones completed with extra carries per sport, however Mason had extra yards per carry and dashing touchdowns.
It would in all probability stay a 1A/1B scenario, reasonably than a real starter. It’s onerous to evaluate solely by snap depend due to their accidents, however Aaron Jones completed with 55% of the snaps obtainable and Mason with 44%. With Jones being a yr older, I imagine this might be nearer to 50/50.
The Vikings selected to not go after a operating again early within the Draft, in order that they should be glad with this duo.
Heart
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It’s onerous to evaluate something on the offensive line till coaching camp, once they can lastly put the pads on. From now till late July, the one factor we now have to base this on is reps with the primary staff. And, if the primary day of OTAs confirmed something, it’s that that is Blake Brandel’s job to lose. I’m curious to see how he does, with a full offseason to follow and get used to the place, versus being thrown into the hearth like final season.
Rookie Gevin Gerhardt has a variety of expertise, and if he exhibits throughout coaching camp that he can deal with NFL-level gamers, he can have a chance to problem Blake Brandel. To take action, he can have not solely to be taught but additionally really perceive Kevin O’Connell’s playbook and be a superb communicator.
TE3
T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are the 2 starters; that’s set in stone. The Vikings had a couple of tight ends rotating because the third man, with Ben Yurosek having extra video games and offensive snaps. Nevertheless, the particular person almost certainly to be the TE3 final yr wasn’t obtainable, as Gavin Bartholomew missed the whole yr on account of a again damage.
Now wholesome, Bartholomew might be strongly within the TE3 combine. With the league shifting to heavier personnel, having three dependable tight ends turns into extra essential.
DT Rotation
Jalen Redmond solidified his standing because the group’s chief with a really robust 2025 marketing campaign. If wholesome, rookie Caleb Banks must be the starter alongside him, and that might make a really scary duo. Behind them, a variety of younger gamers might be competing for snaps. Mainly, each participant on this room is younger, however you get the purpose.
Levi Drake Rodriguez and Elijah Williams had the first-team reps initially of OTAs, however this could change a number of instances earlier than the season opener. As with the offensive line, it’s onerous to evaluate this group till they’re allowed to have padded practices.
Rookie Domonique Orange is more likely to get extra snaps as he will get used to the playbook and the NFL, whereas we in all probability received’t see a lot of Banks till coaching camp. In addition to Rodriguez, Williams, Banks, and Orange, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Taki Taimani ought to cut up nearly all of first and second-team reps.
ILB2
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I already went on report right here and stated that, to me, Jake Golday would be the starter alongside Blake Cashman in Week 1. For this to occur, although, Cashman should stay a Viking. Apparently, he wasn’t current for the primary OTAs, and, though they aren’t obligatory, it does elevate an eyebrow contemplating he has been in some commerce rumors lately.
Some non-QB Vikings issues from OTAs:
— Christian Darrisaw was there, lively, trying actually good— OL exercises regarded way more intense than I bear in mind — Observed each defensive starter however Blake Cashman— Jordan Addison regarded phenomenal — Blake Brandel took 1st staff C reps
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) Might 28, 2026
Do I feel the Vikings will commerce Cashman? No, this is able to be a bonehead determination that would put the entire season in jeopardy after already buying and selling Jonathan Greenard. However rumors hardly come with none motive, and with Cashman coming into the ultimate yr of his contract, the rumors received’t cease till he will get a brand new contract, which in all probability received’t occur earlier than a GM is employed.
OLB3
Except you’ve been dwelling underneath a rock, you realize that Jonathan Greenard has been traded to the Eagles. Whereas I feel Dallas Turner is able to take that subsequent step in his improvement, this has left an enormous depth downside. Bo Richter, Chazz Chambliss, and Tyler Batty have near zero expertise on protection, serving as particular groups gamers so far.
Add in the truth that Andrew Van Ginkel will flip 31 and missed 5 video games with an damage final season, not having a dependable edge rusher behind Gink and Turner isn’t very good.
Much like what they did when the Vikings signed Jauan Jennings, I imagine a veteran move rusher will come to city within the subsequent few weeks. If it doesn’t occur, then I actually hope Brian Flores trusts one of many youthful guys, as a result of the pass-rushing rotation is vital.
Mainly Each Security
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In addition to Josh Metellus, who I feel performs one of many extra distinctive roles within the NFL, each different position is up for grabs. Harrison Smith nonetheless has to say whether or not he might be again, however even when he does, he probably received’t be taking part in 90%+ of the snaps. And, effectively, he isn’t on the roster proper now, so technically his job is obtainable.
I used to be additionally disenchanted with Theo Jackson in 2025, so in my coronary heart, each security positions can be found. Enjoyable time to do not forget that I classify Metellus’ place as “yes”, as a result of that’s what he ought to reply when anybody asks the place he performs.
Jay Ward began the previous few video games of the 2025 season and had some good moments. He didn’t put up loopy highlight-reel performs, however I don’t bear in mind any errors both. He’s subsequent within the security line, coming into the final yr of his rookie deal and spending the final three years on particular groups and studying the protection.
If he can preserve the momentum from 2025 into coaching camp and preseason, he will be on the sphere for the primary snap of 2026.
Additionally battling for that beginning job are each Thomas rookies, Jakobe (the third-round choose) and Jacob (undrafted free agent). Jakobe is a reputation to regulate after a really robust season with the Miami Hurricanes, with 5 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 2 compelled fumbles, and 6 passes defended, whereas incomes defensive MVP within the Fiesta Bowl in opposition to Ole Miss.
However don’t let Jacob slide previous you, because the UDFA has a variety of qualities that Brian Flores tends to search for. It’ll be onerous for him to make the roster, not to mention a beginning place. However it is a staff that, particularly on protection, offers UDFA gamers a variety of probabilities.
A number of different place battles will pop through the offseason, like backup OL, WR4, CB4, beginning punter, and so forth, however the ones I point out are people who I feel can have an even bigger impression on the 2026 season.
