Minnesota Vikings Roster-Trimming Thoughts

The Minnesota Vikings trimmed the roster yesterday from 91 to 53 players. With a whopping two weeks between cutdown day and the season-opener, the 53 players on the roster today might not be the same 53 when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers. The initial roster is where it all starts. Here are some thoughts.

It always starts with the quarterbacks. The Vikings apparently surprised many around the league by keeping four quarterbacks on the active roster. 

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

In particular, many seemed surprised that J.J. McCarthy was still on the roster. I will never understand the peculiar coverage of McCarthy. I’ve seen a lot of strange converge of players in all my years of following the Vikings and the NFL but nothing approaches that of McCarthy. It feels personal. I’ve seen many top-10, or near top-10, quarterbacks have a rocky start to their career and receive more accepting coverage. There has been zero patience with McCarthy. I wish that he’d be given the opportunity to simply relax and breathe. Christian Ponder was given far more room to succeed or fail. Anyway, there are many things about the coverage of McCarthy, in particular, and the Vikings quarterbacks, in general, that are a mystery to me. The biggest might be how easily everyone seems to forget head coach Kevin O’Connell stressing the importance of putting together the strongest possible quarterback room. He said it at the end of last season. He repeated it at the start of the offseason. He said it again after the signing of Kyler Murray. Again, after the re-signing of Carson Wentz. O’Connell repeated the need for a strong quarterback room throughout the offseason. Even new general manager Nolan Teasley mentioned it soon after he was hired. You’d think that something mentioned so often might actually stick. Somehow, it didn’t. Goes to show that many simply hear what they want to hear. Those thirsty for drama over everything only heard that Murray was signed to replace McCarthy as QB1 and Wentz was signed to replace McCarthy on the roster. No matter how many times he stated it, no one seemed to hear O’Connelll stressing the need for three capable quarterbacks. For a team that had to play four and three quarterbacks in two of the last three seasons, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that a team would want to have three quarterbacks that can lead a team to wins. Combining Murray, McCarthy, and Wentz does that. Why spend an offseason building that room only to rip it apart on cutdown day. McCarthy on the roster shouldn’t be a surprise. For me, having Max Brosmer on the roster is the surprise. He should have an easy path to the practice squad.

The tight ends.

I wasn’t too surprised that the Vikings kept six receivers. The surprise was that they kept six receivers and four tight ends. 

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Gavin Bartholomew 

Ben Yurosek

If Gavin Bartholomew blocked like Ben Yurosek, maybe they keep three. If Ben Yurosek caught like Gavin Bartholomew, maybe they keep three. Or, maybe the Vikings really like the potential of both. 

The offensive line.

The Vikings were able to keep an extra player at perhaps a couple of the above positions because there are only eight offensive linemen on the initial roster. Only Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan, and Joe Huber back up the five starters. And Tiernan is currently rehabbing an ankle injury. If the Vikings have a significant trade/free agent addition in mind, I believe that it’s to supplement the offensive line.

The defensive line. 

I really like the six defensive linemen on the Vikings 53-man roster. Over recent weeks, several pundits had roster projections with one of the veterans added in the offseason instead of second-year Elijah Williams. I never understood those thoughts. As an undrafted rookie last season, I thought that he flashed enough and showed enough potential to be an impact player as soon as his second season. I thought his presence on the roster was certain. 

The outside linebackers.

While I have offensive line as the position the Vikings might seriously address, most have outside linebacker. Perhaps they are right, as undrafted players currently back up starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. That was the case even before Tyler Batty was lost for the season with a torn ACL. With the position versatility of linebackers Eric Wilson and Jake Golday and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, I believe that Brian Flores and the defensive coaches have things planned to support Van Ginkel and Turner. 

The cornerbacks.

Congratulations Zemaiah Vaughn! I didn’t expect the Vikings to keep five corners. 

The punter.

In the most thrilling position competition of Vikings training camp, undrafted rookie Brett Thorson’s potential topped Johnny Hekker’s experience and stability. 

Now, we get to sit back and watch the Vikings spend the next two weeks tweaking the initial 53-man roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Initial 53-man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings have trimmed the roster to 53 players. This is always a rough day. A total of 24 players were waived. Six were waived with an injury designation. Four veterans had their contracts terminated. One player was placed on Injured Reserve - Designated for Return. Sadly, another was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. One player was placed on the Reserve/Suspended list. Finally, the Vikings traded offensive tackle Walter Rouse and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Roster-trimming day is always a difficult and busy day. It’s also just a start. There are still two weeks before the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in the season-opener. Judging from the initial roster, there will be changes between now and then. Until that happens, here’s a look at the initial roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Initial 53-man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterback (4)

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back (3)

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (6)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Dillon Bell

Tight End (4)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Gavin Bartholomew

Offensive Line (8)

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Joe Huber

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker (4)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (5)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Chuck Demmings

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Safety (5)

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jakobe Thomas

Jacob Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

***

Even a quick glance at the roster reveals areas that may be addressed as soon as later today. For starters, carrying only eight offensive linemen doesn’t feel like a sustainable strategy. Four QBs? Four TEs? Only four outside linebackers? Five cornerbacks is a slight surprise. An NFL roster is always a fluid thing. Setting the initial 53-man roster is always a significant moment but it’s a fleeting moment. 

In getting to the 53-man roster limit, the Vikings placed some players on some of the Reserve lists available to them. 

Reserve/Injured

Tyler Batty, OLB (season-ending IR)

Michael Jurgens (Designated for Return)

Reserve/Suspended

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Until it’s not, this is the 53-man roster of the 2026 Minnesota Vikings. 

Vikings Preseason Game #3

Minnesota Vikings 6

Denver Broncos 34

This was a typical third preseason game. One team had just about everything go their way. The other team decidedly did not. The Vikings were the latter. 

As is often the case for third preseason games, the starters for both teams stayed on the sideline. Backups played. There’s really nothing to discuss with games like this. It sucks to go from a trash game to the weekend’s roster-trimming but that’s where the Vikings are. 

The Vikings finished the 2026 preseason with a 1-2 record. The Vikings highlight of the shabby practice games was the Carson Wentz to Myles Price touchdown toss against the New York Giants in the first preseason game for the offense. That was the only Vikings touchdown of the preseason. For the defense, it was rookie defensive tackle Domonique Orange dropping into coverage and deflecting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the second preseason game. Scintillating stuff. 

It’s on to the regular season and the home opener against the Green Bay Packers. That big game is still two weeks away. 

Final Vikings Roster Battles

The Minnesota Vikings visit the Denver Broncos tonight for their final game of the preseason portion of the process. While numbers might force a few to play a handful of snaps, the top half of the Vikings roster isn’t expected to play much. With final roster-trimming taking place this weekend, this game against the Broncos is for the players scrambling for a last chance to be seen in a Vikings uniform. I really don’t see very many roster spots up for grabs so those players are really competing for spots on the 16-member practice squad. That would give the players more time to impress the team’s decision-makers. From Adam Thielen to C.J. Ham to Joshua Metellus, the Vikings have a history of players taking the practice squad-route to becoming an impact player. Several players have this preseason game against the Broncos as a final chance to push the needle in their battle to make the Vikings 53-man roster or practice squad. 

Quarterback

I’m skipping any discussion of the Vikings quarterback situation. This has been beaten beyond dust. 

Running Back

Zavier Scott vs Demond Claiborne

I can see both running backs making the 53-man roster. Four running backs, plus a fullback, is a robust number. If a decision between the two has to be made, I believe that Claiborne has the edge.

Receiver

Jeshaun Jones vs Dontae Fleming vs Dillon Bell

The Vikings top five receivers are pretty much etched in stone.

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are the best receiver trio in the league. The leap from rookie year to this year taken by Tai Felton and Myles Price have been one of the best developments of training camp. The Vikings have a lot of receiver options. Perhaps the play of Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, and Dillon Bell pushed Felton and Price to stay ahead of their competition. Each of the trio without a roster spot have played like they deserve one. Could the Vikings keep six receivers?

Tight End

Gavin Bartholomew vs Ben Yurosek vs the rest

A back injury forced Gavin Bartholomew to miss his rookie season. The 2025 sixth-round pick may have come into training camp this year as a forgotten man. Early on, I thought that Bartholomew had secured TE3. The way the Vikings kept bringing in tight ends throughout training camp made me think that perhaps they hadn’t quite found what they wanted to fill out the depth chart. While I still believe that Bartholomew makes the roster, this feels wide open. 

Offensive Line

The decision with the offensive line probably comes down to keeping nine or ten players. The top nine seems clear.

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fires

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Joe Huber

Michael Jurgens

Walter Rouse vs Tomas Rimac vs Henry Byrd vs Vershon Lee vs Tristan Leigh etc. Drafted as a tackle, Rouse has been playing guard this summer. Perhaps that position versatility gets him another year in Minnesota. 

Defensive Line

The Vikings defensive line is right there with the receivers as my favorite position group on the team. I believe the Vikings keep six defensive linemen.

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez 

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

They are all so young but this might be the deepest, most capable defensive line group the Vikings have had in some time.

Outside Linebackers

All of the training camp talk concerning the Vikings outside linebackers has been about bringing in an outside free agent. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are set as the starters. After that, external observers see only UDFA next to the names of the backups. Internally, I don’t think the Vikings see Tyler Batty, Bo Richter, and Chaz Chambliss as a trio of slappies. Maybe a free agent is signed to supplement the group but I don’t think so. I’m starting to think that the coaches see solid potential in the depth provided by Batty, Richter, Chambliss and the versatility of lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and rookie linebacker Jake Golday.

Linebackers

The top four feel set.

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

If there’s a surprise cut when the Vikings start trimming the roster, it could be at linebacker. Jacob Roberts has had a strong training camp. Could he unseat Ivan Pace Jr. Or could Roberts force the Vikings to keep five linebackers. 

Cornerbacks

In recent years, four cornerbacks has been the number for the Vikings under Brian Flores. If that continues, the four are set.

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Chuck Demmings

The only possible cornerback question would be if this is the year the Vikings keep five. Second-year Zemaiah Vaughn appears to be the leader in that battle. 

Safety

The training camp highlight of the Vikings safety position has been the play of undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas. Third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas missed most of training camp with an injury. He’s finally back. But Theo Jackson is now on the sideline. When everyone is healthy, it looks like there’s six safeties that feel like roster locks. If Harrison Smith returns for his 15th season, then there will be decisions to make.

Punter

Johnny Hekker vs Brett Thorson

This IS the biggest position battle on the team. The experienced Hekker vs the rookie Thorson. This competition might be decided by how well each hold the football for all-world kicker Will Reichard. 

Bye-Bye Pro Bowl

The NFL is eliminating the Pro Bowl. 

“It’s OK to be the first league to walk away from a competitive all-star game.”

  -NFL executive Vice President Peter O’Reily

I hate to break it to Pete but the Pro Bowl stopped being a competitive all-star game when the players stopped competing. That was more than a decade ago. 

There were various incarnations of an NFL all-star game from 1938-42. World War II put an end to those games. The Pro Bowl became a thing in 1951. Commissioner Bert Bell thought it was a fine way for the players to make some extra money. From 1951-72, the game was held in Los Angeles. From 1973-79, it moved around. In 1980, the Pro Bowl found a home in Hawaii. For about 60 years, the Pro Bowl was a fun way to end an NFL season. That was especially true during the Hawaii years. The tropical location made for a perfect end-of-the-season vacation for the players and their families. It was also a lovely location for a competitive All-Star football game. I repeat the competitive part. The players actually competed. It was an honor for the players to be named to the Pro Bowl and an honor for them to play in it. Even as salaries soared and the Pro Bowl shares became a smaller percentage of a player’s total earnings, the game was competitive. Maybe it was a step, or two, easier than a game that counted but it easily passed as a competitive football game. The games were fun. The players appeared to have fun simply playing football with the very best in the game. The players wanted to play in the game. That was clear because there were no cancellations due to dubious reasons. Players wanted to be at the Pro Bowl. It never hurt that it was in Hawaii. The desire to be there was so great, that players that didn’t make the teams would pay their own way to join the fun surrounding the game. In an interview with then Sports Illustrated writer Mike Silver, former New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers tight end Russ Francis had this to say about the Pro Bowl in 1996:

The Pro Bowl is a celebration of football. It’s the one time when the players can let down their guard, enjoy their status and revel in the joys of their profession. It’s camaraderie and adventure - the way football used to be. 

So, what changed? The Pro Bowl’s downfall started when the NFL’s suits started messing with it. In 2010, the NFL, for some reason, brought the Pro Bowl back to the mainland. They also jammed the game between the conference championship games and the Pro Bowl. Neither decision made any sense at the time and still make no sense. The Pro Bowl was terrific as an end of the season event. Perhaps as a reaction to their 2010 mistake, the suits returned the Pro Bowl in 2011. It was then that the players stopped caring about the game. At least, they stopped trying in the game. It was then that the Pro Bowl became a joke. Even in an all-star game, pride has to matter. I’m not sure how any player that played in a Pro Bowl from 2011-22 can be proud of the game they played. From 2023-25, the Pro Bowl was a flag football game so those don’t count for anything. Starting in 2011, the players simply stopped playing even scrimmage-level football in the Pro Bowl. The fans still paid Pro Bowl-level ticket prices for the Pro Bowl but the players rewarded them with zero effort. From 1951-2010, the winner’s share for the game was $23,000. Even when the NFL surged into billions in annual revenue, the winner’s share for the Pro Bowl stayed the same. In 2011, about the time the players stopped playing, the winner’s share jumped to $50,000. It’s only gone up annually. Somehow, the winner’s of the final flag football Pro Bowl received $96,000. The players were increasingly rewarded for doing less. Nice incentive. Why did the player’s toss their pride and stop trying in the Pro Bowl. One could assume that it was because the players didn’t want to get injured in a game that meant little. For what it’s worth, I can’t remember a serious injury, or even a modest injury, since the 1970s. Tyler Eifert had a serious injury in the 2015 Pro Bowl but that was in one of those games that was more walkthrough than football. The only time this game was about the money involved was in the 1950s. An extra money-stream for the players was the initial reason for the game. For most the game’s existence, it was about pride. It was about the best football players taking pride in the game they played. It was a fun football game. It stopped being a fun football game when the players stopped taking pride in playing football. 

Since I was a long-time fan of the way this game used to be played, this is a sad day. With the way the players collectively made it a shitty game and the league then made it a flag football game, this is a great day. 

Players are still going to be elected to a Pro Bowl team. The players, coaches, and fans will still vote. Without all of the alternates and injury replacements to dilute things, the 88-player Pro Bowl team will actually mean something again. 

Best Minnesota Vikings Receiving Trios

The Minnesota Vikings have a strong receiver tradition. From Paul Flatley to Justin Jefferson, the franchise boasts 65 years of receiving excellence. Sure, there were a scattered year, or four, in which the Vikings were scrambling to find competent hands. For a big fan of receivers, it’s been a blast following the Vikings since the early 1970s. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison top the present group. That’s a talented and fun duo. The offseason addition of Jauan Jennings gives the Vikings a talented and fun trio. They’ve yet to take the field together in a game that counts but it’s easy to pencil in the trio as the league’s best. Here’s a look at how measure against some of the best trios in the great receiver tradition of the Minnesota Vikings.

Best Minnesota Vikings Receiving Trios

1. Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Jake Reed

Not only is this receiving trio the best in Minnesota Vikings franchise history, they are “arguably” the best in NFL history. 

From 1994-97, Jake Reed had four consecutive 1000-yard seasons. These weren’t Mike Evans-1000-yard seasons. Each of Reed’s four seasons was over 1100 yards. Carter and Reed were arguably the NFL’s top receiving duo. That didn’t stop the Vikings from selecting Randy Moss with the 21st pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Fortunately, enough teams were stupid enough to pass on perhaps the most physically gifted receiver to ever catch a football. The only thing that could keep Reed from posting a fifth 1000-yard seasons was adding Moss. 

Cris Carter and Randy Moss have busts in Canton. Jake Reed drifted into the long shadow of those legends but he remained an impactful compliment for a couple seasons. For about half of the 1990s, he was among the league’s best deep threats. 

2. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings

Again, this trio has yet to take the field in a game with meaning but this trio could be elite. Hopefully, it’s for more than a single season. One could argue that Justin Jefferson and a couple slappies would be an elite trio. Jordan Addison would be WR1 on several teams. Jauan Jennings stepped up as the WR1 of the San Francisco 49ers when needed. With that in mind, the Vikings have three WR1s. That’s a great trio. 

3. Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin

When Brett Favre was added to an offense with Adrian Peterson and this trio, there was the potential for offensive explosion on every play. The Vikings 2009 season was fun. It really should’ve been much more fun. It was Sidney Rice’s breakout season. Bernard Berrian was an explosive deep threat. Percy Harvin was dynamic and versatile as a rookie. For a single season, Rice, Berrian, and Harvin were an outstanding trio.

4. Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Jarius Wright

As a fan of receivers, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen were so much fun to watch. Great routes, great hands, great positioning. All of the technical skill that you hope to see in receivers they had. Jarius Wright was an outstanding compliment. I feel like every catch he made either converted a key first or scored a touchdown. 

5. Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, Hasaan Jones

Anthony Carter and Hasaan Jones were nearing the end of their careers when Cris Carter came to the Vikings in 1990. For a couple years, the Carters tormented the league. Jones was an underrated compliment. 

6. Ahmad Rashad, Sammy White, Bob Grim

This trio is all about the duo of Ahmad Rashad and Sammy White. They were terrific. Both arrived in Minnesota in 1976. Rashad was an established talent in the league. He just needed a quarterback. White was a rookie. I’ve always believed that if he played his entire career with Fran Tarkenton, Rashad would have a bust in Canton. White was an immediate hit as a rookie and had a long, solid career with the Vikings. Grim may have had an unheralded career but he was a reliable receiver when needed. He had two stints with the Vikings. The first was more productive than the second. 

7. Gene Washington, John Henderson, Bob Grim

Gene Washington is one of the most underrated players in Vikings franchise history. He and Paul Flatley often get lost in the team’s great receiver tradition. Washington and John Henderson were one of the league’s best duos. Their talents made Joe Kapp look like a competent NFL thrower in 1969. This was Bob Grim’s first and most productive stint with the Vikings. He was even named to the 1971 Pro Bowl. 

One More Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection

The good news is that projecting a Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster will become unnecessary this weekend. That’s when the Vikings will be doing the only roster cutdowns that matter. Until then, here’s one more Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection. 

Another Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster Projection

Offense (25)

Quarterback (3)

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Running Back (4)

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Demond Claiborne

Zavier Scott

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

The play of Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, and Dillon Bell has made receiver decisions difficult. A dream scenario might be getting all three on the practice squad. 

Tight End (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Gavin Bartholomew

Offensive Line (9)

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Michael Jurgens

Joe Huber

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Elijah Williams

After receiver, this might be my favorite position group on the team. 

Outside Linebacker (5)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Tyler Batty

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and rookie linebacker Jake Golday will further supplement the edge rushers. The Vikings might actually roster only four outside linebacker because of the versatility of those two players. 

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Chuck Demmings

James Pierre

Safety (6)

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jakobe Thomas

Tavierre Thomas

Jacob Thomas

While it would certainly complicate safety and defense roster numbers, I’m still hoping for a Harrison Smith return. 

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Johnny Hekker

Until I’m convinced that undrafted rookie Brett Thorson can consistently snap the ball, I’m going with Johnny Hekker. 

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola