Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Will Fries celebrates ultimately zone after a landing throughout second-quarter motion on Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The scoring play highlighted Minnesota’s offensive execution in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers and gave the Vikings one other memorable second in a rivalry matchup late within the common season. Necessary Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Photographs.
Coming into each season, an NFL workforce has gamers with one thing to show greater than most, and you’ll think about this the version for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings. The listing incorporates a few quarterbacks, some linebackers, and an offensive lineman.
The next 5 males should produce commendable seasons or threat considerably altering their profession trajectories.
Vikings Participant Stress Factors Come into Focus earlier than Camp
Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries works alongside the offensive line throughout a house matchup in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. The motion befell on September 21, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, the place Fries helped anchor Minnesota’s inside blocking unit throughout regular-season competitors in opposition to an AFC opponent. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs
5. Will Fries (OG)
This upcoming season is unusually essential for Fries. Will he be the standout participant he was with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, or will he merely be one other common starter? After signing a profitable contract with Minnesota final offseason, the strain is on.
Up to now, he hasn’t fairly justified that price ticket. Fries acquired a rating of 61.8 on Professional Soccer Focus in 2025—respectable, however there’s undoubtedly room for progress. If he improves in 2026, that contract will appear extra justified. If not, his future in Minnesota may very well be unsure come subsequent offseason.
At his $18 million per-season value level, his PFF grade ought to be at the very least 71.8, not 61.8.
4. Ivan Tempo Jr. (ILB)
As soon as upon a time, Tempo Jr. was the following large factor for the Vikings, instantly incomes a starter’s job as an undrafted free agent in 2023, a wildly spectacular feat. He additionally carried out splendidly as a rookie however has since slid again.
In 2025, Eric Wilson took his job, and the Vikings re-signed Wilson for 2 extra years in March. Tempo Jr. should reestablish himself within the NFL, a tall activity with Wilson and Blake Cashman in entrance of him on the Vikings’ depth chart.
Tempo Jr. will flip 26 this season, so it’s time to show if he’s a starter or a backup. These are the stakes. He belongs within the large leagues, although his standing as a starter is straddling a cliff.
3. Dallas Turner (OLB)
By January 2027, the Vikings ought to lastly perceive what they’ve in Turner. After two seasons of ready for a bigger function, the highlight is lastly on him.
The commerce involving Jonathan Greenard modified the OLB panorama. Minnesota despatched Greenard to Philadelphia for 2 Third-Spherical picks, opening up a beginning place for Turner and eradicating the obstacles that had beforehand hindered him. Whereas he had some stable snaps in previous seasons, notably throughout Greenard’s absences, the alternatives have been inconsistent.
This time, nonetheless, there are not any contingencies. Turner received’t be ready for an damage, a shift in rotation, or a particular play name from Brian Flores. For the primary time in his profession, he’s coming into the season with a secured beginning function. If he performs nicely, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s daring trade-up will look slightly astute.
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner participates in drills through the Play Soccer Prospect Clinic forward of the NFL Draft course of. The occasion occurred on April 24, 2024, at The Nook Ballpark in Detroit, the place Turner showcased his athletic traits and met with younger soccer gamers throughout draft-week festivities. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
Greenard mentioned about Turner just a few weeks in the past, “He’s gonna take this big, big step. You saw him kind of do it a little bit towards the end of last season. And now this point, shoot, I said, ‘It’s time now. This is your time, this is your team, you need to go ahead and make that happen.’ So I’ll be looking real close for him, and I know it’s gonna get done because that boy a dog, too.”
2. Kyler Murray (QB)
The strain on Murray is immense. His future hinges on how 2026 unfolds. If he can replicate his earlier success — round 3,900 passing yards, 30 whole touchdowns, and 600 dashing yards each 17 begins — Minnesota would have each cause to view him as their long-term quarterback. This might result in a contract extension, solidifying his place because the Vikings’ QB1 for years to come back.
Nonetheless, if issues take a downturn, the state of affairs adjustments dramatically. Murray would doubtless enter free company in March, in search of his subsequent alternative. Groups with quarterback wants, such because the New York Jets, may see him as an interesting possibility. One path results in stability and an extension; the opposite begins a brand new chapter some other place.
1. J.J. McCarthy (QB)
If McCarthy can outperform Murray in coaching camp or seize the beginning job through the common season, Minnesota’s long-term quarterback technique can be again on monitor.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy goes via pregame warmups earlier than a late-season highway contest. The preparation unfolded on December 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the place McCarthy labored on timing, footwork, and passing drills forward of kickoff in opposition to a convention opponent. Necessary Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photographs
The Vikings drafted McCarthy to be the successor to Kirk Cousins. A breakout season in 2026 would reinforce that imaginative and prescient and elevate his standing throughout the group.
Nonetheless, if issues don’t go as deliberate, the state of affairs may develop into sophisticated. If McCarthy fails to make an enormous leap in his third yr whereas Murray secures the beginning function, Minnesota might get thinking about commerce affords subsequent offseason.
The Vikings would nonetheless management McCarthy’s rights via 2028, so there’s no rush to maneuver him. But when one other workforce presents engaging draft picks and Murray seems established as QB1, a commerce may develop into a viable possibility.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
