Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer jogs onto the sector throughout pregame warmups earlier than an everyday season contest at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. On Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brosmer ready alongside teammates forward of Minnesota’s matchup in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons as consideration continued to construct across the younger quarterback’s growth. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
The key storylines for the Minnesota Vikings are obvious this summer time: Will Kyler Murray simply win the quarterback battle? Will Christian Darrisaw be a full go? Is Caleb Banks trending for Week 1? When will Harrison Smith announce his return-or-retire determination, if in any respect?
However we’re this weekend for the “under the radar” stuff, storylines you maybe haven’t spent that a lot time pondering. They’re listed in ascending order of significance (No. = most necessary under-the-radar storyline).
The Stealthy Stuff to Ponder in regards to the Vikings’ Summer time
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Tai Felton goes by way of pregame warmups at U.S. Financial institution Stadium earlier than dealing with the New England Patriots. The rookie move catcher entered the exhibition matchup trying to construct momentum and showcase his growth inside Minnesota’s offense. The scene unfolded on Aug. 16, 2025, in the course of the Vikings’ preseason schedule. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
4. Will Tai Felton (WR) Flip into One thing?
Felton’s struggle for a roster spot begins beneath a brand new regime. Normal supervisor Nolan Teasley, who didn’t draft Felton, has no inherent loyalty to him. There’s no “we spent a 3rd-Rounder on him” pleasure or a have to justify a previous funding. Felton should show his price anew.
His potential is apparent, although. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted him within the third Spherical, valuing his velocity regardless of most draft consultants projecting him as a 4th or Fifth-Spherical choose. The technique was clear: purchase a participant who might stretch the sector, threaten defenses with the deep ball, and supply the Vikings with one other explosive choice.
Nonetheless, Felton noticed minimal enjoying time in his rookie 12 months.
The shortage of preliminary alternative is the first hurdle Felton faces. Most mid-round huge receivers are given an instantaneous likelihood to exhibit their skills. Felton was not, which units the stage for a essential summer time. An distinctive coaching camp might elevate him to the WR4 place, whereas a lackluster efficiency might place him all the way in which off the group.
3. The Punters
It’s younger versus outdated in Minnesota at punter this summer time. The younger? The Vikings discovered Georgia punter Brett Thorson through undrafted free company in late April, and he gained the award for greatest faculty punter in 2025. On paper, he shouldn’t have any downside discovering a job within the NFL.
However he’s by no means held area objectives or additional factors, and the Vikings want a punter and holder to exchange Ryan Wright, who carried out exactly these roles in Minnesota for 4 years.
Carolina Panthers punter Johnny Hekker takes the sector throughout a highway recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Area. The veteran specialist continued including to one of many NFL’s most completed punting careers whereas serving as a key contributor on particular groups. The sport was performed on Dec. 8, 2024. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Hartline-Imagn Pictures.
The “old” choice, Johnny Hekker, has holding expertise and, a decade in the past, was the one greatest punter within the league. Followers don’t typically care about punters, however they management area place to the utmost. This battle issues.
Thorson principally has three months to discover ways to maintain kicks for Will Reichard.
2. Again-Finish CB Depth (no accidents final 12 months)
Usually, a CB group of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, and rookie Charles Demmings would give some confidence to a Vikings roster that has entered the previous season with slimmer depth than this.
Nonetheless, in 2025, Murphy Jr. and Rodgers performed all 17 video games, remaining completely wholesome. The invoice is probably going coming due. It’s unlikely for Minnesota to have good well being amongst its prime two cornerbacks — two years in a row.
Subsequently, finding out the CB3, CB4, and CB5 spots this summer time will probably be intriguing. Teasley would possibly wish to re-sign Fabian Moreau, who performed fairly effectively in 2025 regardless of no fanfare or kudos.
Zone Protection‘s Nelson Thielen wrote in April, “Corners get drafted at a high rate in the first three rounds of the draft, and good ones get paid quickly. Many other franchises would look at Minnesota’s cornerback situation. They wouldn’t consider a player like James Pierre to be enough to get in the way of further investment in that position.”
“For a defense that’s predicated on bringing pressure like Flores’, it seems counterintuitive not to invest in corners that they can trust in single coverage. But if you’ve watched the Flores defense the past few seasons, you’ve seen how he’s worked around this deficiency.”
You’ve heard of “zero running back” methods in fantasy soccer. The Vikings are the zero-corners group beneath Flores.
Thielen added, “His scheme hasn’t necessitated elite, high-end cover corners. Whether that’s by design or adapting to his personnel deficiencies is up to interpretation, but the results speak for themselves. Minnesota’s passing defense has been elite under Flores; they posted the fewest passing yards against last year.”
“Opposing QBs had the second-lowest QBR in the league against Minnesota (46.3), and the Vikings forced the second-lowest yards per completion at 9.72. That’s really, really good.”
1. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne’s Sport-Readiness
A little bit secret: Aaron Jones will most likely get harm in 2026. That occurs to him. When that happens, the Vikings will want a alternative, at the least for a few video games, and by that point, followers ought to have indication whether or not Claiborne is prepared.
Wake Forest working again Demond Claiborne meets with reporters throughout ACC Media Days in Charlotte as anticipation constructed for the upcoming faculty soccer season. Claiborne mentioned group objectives and offseason preparation whereas representing the Demon Deacons. The media session occurred on July 23, 2025, on the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures.
Make no mistake: Jones and Jordan Mason will obtain the majority of dashing makes an attempt in 2026, however the scene is ripe for a teen like Claiborne to emerge as a result of Jones and Mason are solely beneath contract by way of the top of 2026. It’s Claiborne’s first impression — and formal RB1 audition.
The summer time of 2026 ought to supply proof on Claiborne’s moxie as the actual deal. Keep in mind DeWayne McBride. Minnesota doesn’t desire a redo of that wasted late-round choose.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
