Minnesota Vikings Unofficial Depth Chart

The Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the season opener. In advance of the first game of the 2026 season, the Vikings released their “unofficial” depth chart. A team-released depth chart being tagged as “unofficial” is always interesting. It’s interesting because a depth chart released by the team is as “official” as a depth chart can get. I believe the league’s teams see these depth charts as “unofficial” because they don’t want to be committed to it. Despite their questionable nature, this depth chart can be interesting. Here’s a look at the first “unofficial” depth chart of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback

Starter:

Kyler Murray

Backups:

Carson Wentz

J.J. McCarthy

Running Back

Starter:

Aaron Jones, Sr.

Jordan Mason

Backups:

Demond Claiborne

Fullback

Starter:

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Justin Jefferson

Backups:

Tai Felton

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Jordan Addison

Wide Receiver 

Jauan Jennings

Backups:

Myles Price

Tight End

Starter:

T.J. Hockenson

Backups:

Josh Oliver

Gavin Bartholomew

Left Tackle

Starter:

Christian Darrisaw

Backups:

Ryan Van Demark

Left Guard

Starter:

Donovan Jackson

Backups:

Joe Huber

Center

Starter:

Blake Brandel

Backups:

Nick Samac

Right Guard

Starter:

Will Fries

Backup:

Trevor Keegan

Right Tackle

Starter:

Brian O’Neill

Backups:

Caleb Tiernan

Defense

Defensive Line

Starters:

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez 

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Backups:

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker

Starters:

Dallas Turner

Andrew Van Ginkel

Backups:

Chaz Chambliss

Bo Richter

Inside Linebacker

Starters:

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Backups:

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback:

Starter:

Isaiah Rodgers

Backups:

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Cornerback

Starter:

Byron Murphy Jr.

Backup:

Chuck Demmings

Safety

Joshua Metellus

Backups:

Jay Ward

Jakobe Thomas

Safety

Starter:

Harrison Smith

Backups:

Theo Jackson

Jacob Thomas

Special Teams

Punter/Holder

Starter:

Brett Thorson

Kicker

Starter:

Will Reichard

Long Snapper

Starter:

Andrew DePaola

Punt Returner

Starter:

Myles Price

Backup:

Tai Felton

Kick Returner

Starter:

Myles Price

Backup:

Tai Felton

Demond Claiborne

***

First of all, it’s so great to finally see Harrison Smith on the field on the depth chart. Even though it took all offseason, training camp, and preseason for him to officially return, I’m not close to being ready to not seeing #22 roaming around the Vikings defense. 

The depth chart focus for most is Carson Wentz being named QB2. Maybe this will ease the twisted fixation on J.J. McCarthy. From college through his first 2+ years in the league, there’s been nothing normal about the coverage of the young quarterback. Maybe he can now get a bit of peace for a little while. 

Some Depth Chart Curiosities:

1. Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason as joint running back starters. 

2. In Nick Samac and Trevor Keegan, about half of the offensive line depth was added after cutdown day. 

3. The Vikings defensive line group is going to be fun. 

4. The overall depth, especially on defense, is much improved. 

5. For months, the depth at outside linebacker has been a concern for media and fans. The Vikings finally addressed that concern last week with the signing of Kyler Van Noy. His roster presence in shown in this depth chart as he’s currently on the practice squad. 

6. Welcome Back Harrison Smith

Flea Flicker 2026 Predictions

Here’s a guess at which teams win the divisions and which team wins it all. 

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings

2. Detroit Lions

3. Green Bay Packers

4. Chicago Bears

This is an easy pick. 

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys

2. Philadelphia Eagles 

3. New York Giants
4. Washington Commanders

The Cowboys take advantage of an Eagles fade. The Giants and Commanders could be lurking as any of the four could win this division. 

NFC South

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Carolina Panthers

3. New Orleans Saints 

4. Atlanta Falcons

This feels like a three-team race. 

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers 

2. Los Angeles Rams

3. Seattle Seahawks

4. Arizona Cardinals

Somehow, the 49ers edge the money-stacked Rams. The defending champs are left fighting for a playoff spot. 

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. Cincinnati Bengals

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Cleveland Browns

This is a two team race. 

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills

2. New England Patriots

3. New York Jets
4. Miami Dolphins

The Patriots drop with a more challenging schedule. For the first time in a while, the Jets aren’t the worst team in the AFC East. 

AFC South

1. Houston Texans
2. Jacksonville Jaguars

3. Indianapolis Colts

4. Tennessee Titans

This division could be a lot of fun for a while. 

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Los Angeles Chargers

3. Denver Broncos

4. Las Vegas Raiders

This should be a fun three-team battle. 

Super Bowl
Minnesota Vikings over Buffalo Bills

Finally! 

Flea Flicker 2026 Awards Predictions

A new NFL season kicks off this week. Who will bring home some hardware in 2026? 

Most Valuable Player

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Offensive Player of the Year

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Defensive Player of the Year

Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Houston Texans

Comeback Player of the Year

Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings 

Coach of the Year

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks 

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys

All-Pro Team

Quarterback

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Running Back

Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

Fullback

Max Bredeson, Minnesota Vikings 

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

Tight End

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Offensive Tackles

Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Offensive Guards

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts 

Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos 

Center

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Defense

Edge Rushers

Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings 

Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

Interior Defensive Linemen

Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings 

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Linebackers

Ernest Jones, Seattles Seahawks

Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Cornerbacks

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Derrick Stingley Jr., Houston Texans

Safeties

Joshua Metellus, Minnesota Vikings

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Special Teams

Kicker

Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings

Punter

Jordan Stout, Baltimore Ravens

Kick Returner

Myles Price, Minnesota Vikings 

Punt Returner

Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks

Core Special Teamer

Bo Richter, Minnesota Vikings 

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Roster: By Age

In the week since the roster was trimmed to 53 players, the Minnesota Vikings signed 35-year old outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and brought back 37-year old safety Harrison Smith. With those two additions, there’s now a curious and substantial experience to the roster, in general, and defense, in particular. Here’s a look at the 53-man roster broken down by age. Van Noy was initially signed to the practice squad. Until he jumps to the active roster, his advanced age isn’t reflected in this breakdown. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster: By Age

39

Andrew DePaola

37

Harrison Smith

33

Carson Wentz

31

Eric Wilson

Andrew Van Ginkel

Aaron Jones Sr.

30

Brian O’Neill

Blake Cashman

29

James Pierre

Josh Oliver

Kyler Murray

Jauan Jennings

T.J. Hockenson

Blake Brandel

28

Ryan Van Demark

Isaiah Rodgers

Byron Murphy Jr.

Joshua Metellus

Will Fries

27

Jalen Redmond

Jordan Mason

Justin Jefferson

Theo Jackson

Christian Darrisaw

26

Jay Ward

Brett Thorson

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Bo Richter

Trevor Keegan

25

Nick Samac

Will Reichard

Ivan Pace Jr.

24

Ben Yurosek

Zemaiah Vaughn

Myles Price

Joe Huber

Jordan Addison

23

Elijah Williams

Dallas Turner

Caleb Tiernan

Jakobe Thomas

J.J. McCarthy

Donovan Jackson

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Jake Golday

Tai Felton

Chuck Demmings

Chaz Chambliss

Max Bredeson

Gavin Bartholomew 

Caleb Banks

22

Jacob Thomas

Domonique Orange

Demond Claiborne

***

Since the Vikings have yet to announce a corresponding roster move after the addition of Harrison Smith, the roster currently holds 54 players. 

Assuming Kyle Van Noy will soon be added to the 53-man roster, the Vikings defense will occasionally have five players on the field over the age of 30.

Harrison Smith - 37

Kyle Van Noy - 35

Eric Wilson - 31

Andrew Van Ginkel - 31

Blake Cashman - 30

No worries. The Vikings also have some promising defensive players under the age of 25 playing with and learning from those graybeards.

Jakobe Thomas - 23

Jacob Thomas - 22

Jake Golday - 23

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - 23

Chuck Demmings - 23

Caleb Banks - 23

Domonique Orange - 22

If all goes as planned, those youngsters will supplement a smart, experienced defense now and lead it in a couple years. 

Brian Flores has crafted a defense of smart players. For that defense to operate at its best, experienced and instinctive defenders like Harrison Smith, Joshua Metellus, Byron Murphy Jr., Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, and Andrew Van Ginkel are needed. 

I fell for the Vikings in the 1970s when the team was filled with brilliant players in their 30s. It was an experienced group that made Super Bowl appearances routine. Winning the damn game was the difficulty. As a young Vikings fan, that was my normal. While experience is a characteristic shared by these teams separated by decades, the current Vikings team is downright youthful compared to those great teams. Hopefully, the splash of experience is what it takes to finally get back to the Super Bowl. Just win it this time!

He’s Back!

Minnesota Vikings legendary safety Harrison Smith is coming back for his 15th season. For most of the offseason, Smith’s football future had been in question. He was celebrated by team and fans at US Bank Stadium toward the end of the 2025 season. If felt like a send-off but Smith never officially announced his retirement. I figured that no announcement throughout the offseason was a clear indication of a return. I also figured that he’d return for training camp. I didn’t see Harrison Smith pulling a Brett Favre and skipping into the facilities after the “heavy” lifting of preseason work was done. I guess I was wrong on that part. I’m glad I’m not wrong about his return. I wasn’t ready for a Minnesota Vikings defense without #22 roaming the width and depth of the field. 

Harrison Smith will return for his 15th season on a one-year, $12.25 million deal with incentives that can boost it up to $16.25 million. The incentives are reportedly dependent on playoff performance so he’ll be rewarded for overall team play. Remarkably, the per year amount is one of the highest of his career. With Smith’s plans an unknown, the Vikings moved forward with newness in the safety room. An intriguing group was the result. 

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Jakobe Thomas

Jacob Thomas

Adding Harrison Smith makes safety a team strength. Perhaps in a few years, the Vikings safety group is topped by the young duo of Jakobe and Jacob Thomas. For now, Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus continue their wonderful on-field relationship. 22 and 44 together again. 

Harrison Smith will be adding to some Hall of Fame-level numbers:

Most Games in Vikings Franchise History

1. Jim Marshall 270

2. Mick Tingelhoff 240

3. Fred Cox 210

4. Carl Eller 209

5. Harrison Smith 207

Unless Smith plays into his 40s, he should retire at #3. 

Career Stats

1,180 tackles

51 TFLs

21.5 sacks

45 QB hits

39 interceptions 

4 interceptions returned for TDs

106 passes defensed

13 forced fumbles

12 fumble recoveries

If Harrison Smith has a typical Harrison Smith season, he’ll stand alone among safeties in league history in tackles, sacks, and interceptions. That’s Canton stuff. 

Welcome Back Harrison Smith.

Minnesota Vikings 2026 Team Captains

There once was a time when NFL teams had about three captains. Three captains leading the offense, defense, and special teams respectively. A few days ago, I saw that the Los Angeles Rams announced a whopping 11 captains. I get recognizing team leaders but doesn’t that leadership get a bit diluted if nearly a quarter of the players active on game day are captains? Who knows? I don’t. Maybe one in every four players needs to be a leader in today’s NFL. The Minnesota Vikings announced their season-long captains for 2026. 

Minnesota Vikings Captains

Offense:

Kyler Murray

Aaron Jones Sr.

Justin Jefferson

Brian O’Neill

Defense:

Andrew Van Ginkel

Blake Cashman

Joshua Metellus

Special Teams:

Andrew DePaola

Eight Captains. Only three were drafted by the Vikings. 

Justin Jefferson 

Brian O’Neill

Joshua Metellus

Kyler Murray, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman are first-time Vikings captains.

The remainder of the Vikings captains have been Vikings captains for a while.

Brian O’Neill: 6x

Joshua Metellus: 5x

Justin Jefferson: 4x

Andrew DePaola: 4x

Aaron Jones Sr.: 2x

Congratulations to this season’s captains. They will be forever remembered within the “Jim Marshall Vikings Captains Legacy.” 

Minnesota Vikings Roster: How Did They Get Here?

Here’s a look at how the players got to the roster of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Draft: First Round

Justin Jefferson (2020)

Christian Darrisaw (2021)

Jordan Addison (2023)

J.J. McCarthy (2024)

Dallas Turner (2024)

Donovan Jackson (2025)

Caleb Banks (2026)

Draft: Second Round

Brian O’Neill (2018)

Jake Golday (2026)

Draft: Third Round

Tai Felton (2025)

Domonique Orange (2026)

Caleb Tiernan (2026)

Jakobe Thomas (2026)

Draft: Fourth Round

Jay Ward (2023)

Draft: Fifth Round

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (2015)

Max Bredeson (2026)

Chuck Demmings (2026)

Draft: Sixth Round

Josh Metellus (2020)

Blake Brandel (2020)

Will Reichard (2024)

Demond Claiborne (2026)

Draft: Seventh Round

Levi Drake Rodriguez (2024)

Gavin Bartholomew (2025)

Undrafted Free Agent

Ivan Pace Jr. (2023)

Bo Richter (2024)

Max Brosmer (2025)

Chaz Chambliss (2025)

Joe Huber (2025)

Myles Price (2025)

Elijiah Williams (2025)

Ben Yurosek (2025)

Zemaiah Vaughn (2025)

Dillon Bell (2026)

Jacob Thomas (2026)

Brett Thorson (2026)

Trade

T.J. Hockenson (2022)

Jordan Mason (2025)

Unrestricted Free Agent

Josh Oliver (2023)

Byron Murphy Jr. (2023)

Andrew Van Ginkel (2024)

Blake Cashman (2024)

Isaiah Rodgers (2025)

Will Fries (2025)

Eric Wilson (2025)

James Pierre (2026)

Jauan Jennings (2026)

Restricted Free Agent

Ryan Van Demark (2026) 

Street Free Agent

Andrew DePaola (2020)

Theo Jackson (2022)

Aaron Jones Sr. (2024)

Jalen Redmond (2024)

Carson Wentz (2025)

Kyler Murray (2026)

Trevor Keegan (2026)

Nick Samac (2026)