A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on show earlier than kickoff at U.S. Financial institution Stadium forward of a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Oct. 19, 2025, followers gathered in Minneapolis because the Vikings ready for an additional essential regular-season take a look at in entrance of a packed dwelling crowd. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
Anticipating large issues from exterior linebacker Dallas Turner in 2026? How about second-year wideout Tai Felton? Neither of these males is probably the most logical breakout candidate for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings — as a result of that distinction belongs to left sort out Christian Darrisaw, says CBS Sports activities.
It’s a weird choice for a breakout participant, as Darrisaw broke out 5 years in the past.
H2
Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Christian Darrisaw pursues a unfastened soccer throughout fourth-quarter motion towards the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. On Dec. 26, 2021, Darrisaw recovered a fumble throughout a pivotal sequence, showcasing hustle and consciousness in a hard-fought contest late within the common season. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
CBS Sports activities: Vikings Breakout Participant = Christian Darrisaw
Zachary Pereles nominated a breakout participant for every NFC staff this week, touchdown on Darrisaw for Minnesota: “If you ask Vikings fans, they’d probably say it’s past time for Christian Darrisaw to become a star. The left tackle showcases elite talent when he’s on the field. The issue is he hasn’t been on the field enough: zero full seasons.”
“He has played in just 17 games total the past two seasons after signing a four-year, $113 million extension in July 2024. He then tore his ACL and MCL in October and struggled with knee issues for seemingly all of 2025.”
Pereles is appropriate together with his first sentence. Minnesotans are usually not searching for Darrisaw to realize stardom. They need him to be wholesome.
“He’s an absolute road grader in the run game; since Darrisaw arrived in 2021, the Vikings have a 46% rushing success rate with him on the field and a 41% rushing success rate without him,” Pereles added.
“In 2025, that would have been the difference between the NFL’s 17th-best rushing attack and its 31st-best rushing attack.”
DJ File Scratch
Pereles is correct about one factor — Vikings followers contemplating Darrisaw a stud. From their perspective, he broke out someday in mid-2021 as a rookie.
In actual fact, through the darkish years of 2021 and 2023, Darrisaw was a brilliant spot, a participant followers might tout as, “At least we have Darrisaw.” That crowd spends extra time questioning why Darrisaw has by no means reached a Professional Bowl, regardless of a Professional Bowl resume, than labeling him as a breakout candidate.
Most would’ve picked the aforementioned Turner for the “breakout” candidacy, as exterior linebacker Jonathan Greenard was traded in late April. It’s lastly time for Turner to start out after the Vikings traded the farm to get him in 2024.
However nope — CBS Sports activities says Darrisaw may very well be on the cusp of one thing large in 2026.
Profession Resume for Darrisaw
Darrisaw’s monitor file is obvious: when wholesome, he is likely one of the finest left tackles in soccer.
Since 2021, the Vikings have witnessed his prowess over 3,440 complete snaps — 2,216 in pass-blocking and 1,224 in run-blocking. His efficiency has been distinctive, highlighted by an general grade of 90.4 in 2022, adopted by 82.4 in 2023 and 81.4 in 2024. PFF ranked him seventh amongst all offensive tackles after the 2023 season, noting his career-best 85.3 pass-blocking grade, which was third within the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Christian Darrisaw prepares for the snap throughout a street matchup towards the Washington Commanders at FedExField. On Nov. 6, 2022, Darrisaw anchored Minnesota’s offensive line whereas persevering with his emergence as one of many NFL’s premier younger left tackles throughout a profitable Vikings marketing campaign. Necessary Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The 2023 season is especially important, as Darrisaw maintained his elite blindside safety regardless of Minnesota biking by means of 4 quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Corridor.
His run-blocking grades have been persistently robust: 90.6 in 2022, 73.9 in 2023, 82.3 in 2024, and 69.8 in 2025. His pass-blocking grades present even larger consistency: 82.4, 85.3, 79.9, and 71.3 from 2022 to 2025.
PFF acknowledged his potential early, rating him amongst rookie left tackles with the bottom stress charges since 2010 after his first season.
The first concern, after all, revolves round his current availability. Darrisaw has performed in 58 video games and began 56 over 5 years. His expertise undeniably qualifies him as a franchise left sort out; the Vikings merely want him to finish a full season.
Precise Breakout Candidates?
If one classifies Darrisaw’s breakout label as bogus, right here’s the true record of attainable Vikings contenders in 2026:
Tai Felton (WR)
Jordan Mason (RB)
Myles Value (WR)
Bo Richter (OLB)
Dallas Turner (OLB)
Jay Ward (S)
Rookies, too — the Vikings have about 30 on the roster proper now — might escape, however nobody considers a rookie shining for the primary time all that outstanding. It occurs.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner watches drills throughout minicamp on the staff’s coaching facility in Eagan. On June 10, 2025, Turner continued his offseason improvement as coaches evaluated younger defenders and put in schemes forward of coaching camp, with expectations rising for the previous first-round draft decide. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photographs.
Darrisaw mentioned final week that his knee feels its finest in two years, notable as a result of he tore his ACL in October 2024. Mankato Free Press‘s Abbie Parr famous, “Darrisaw, who’s entering his sixth season with the Vikings after being drafted in the first round in 2021, wore a leg sleeve but no knee brace during Thursday’s organized team activities practice.”
“He participated in everything from O-line drills to 7-on-7 work. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team had planned on Darrisaw being available in this part of the NFL calendar and that he’s been participating ‘pretty much in totality.’”
He turned 27 final week.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
