Minnesota Vikings: Then and Now
Quarterback
2025:
J.J. McCarthy
2026:
Kyler Murray
The J.J. McCarthy vs Kyle Murray quarterback competition will be the talk of training camp. It’s always about the quarterback. More than anything, the Vikings need consistent quarterback play. Last year, the season was wrecked by injuries at the game’s most important position. Those injuries resulted in wildly inconsistent play. Throw in Carson Wentz and the Vikings can legitimately go three-deep at quarterback. Hopefully, that won’t be necessary. No matter which quarterback wins the competition, the Vikings will be better for it. At the moment, I see Murray’s experience winning out.
Running Back
2025:
Aaron Jones
2026:
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones at 30 vs Aaron Jones at 31. The Vikings run game will likely be a committee. Last year, it was Jones and Jordan Mason. This year, it will be Jones, Mason, and sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne. The rookie’s speed could be a game-changer. Perhaps the biggest boost to the Vikings run game will come from the coaching and schemes of new assistant head coach Frank Smith. For me, Smith’s impact on the offense in general, and run game in particular, is more interesting than the quarterback competition.
Receiver
2025:
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jalen Nailor
2026:
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jauan Jennings
This is gonna be fun. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the best receiving duo in the league. Jalen Nailor was a very good #3. Jauan Jennings is a whole other type of receiver. Now the Vikings have the best receiver trio in the league. With his physical play, Jennings will bring a little bit of nasty to the Vikings offense. As long as he plays within the rules of the game, I think the offense can use a bit of nasty.
Tight End
2025:
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
2026:
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
T.J. Hockenson is a year older. More importantly, he’s another year removed from the knee injury caused by that jackass in Detroit. Hockenson didn’t look right last year. I’m assuming that was due more to his return from the injury than his age. With a re-worked contract that gives him free agency next March, he’s playing for his NFL future. I think we’ll see a better T.J. Hockenson this year.
Offensive Line
2025:
Christian Darrisaw/Justin Skule
Donovan Jackson
Ryan Kelly
Will Fries
Brian O’Neill
2026:
Christian Darrisaw
Donovan Jackson
Blake Brandel
Will Fries
Brian O’Neill
On paper, the only offensive line change from last year to this year is a center swap from Ryan Kelly to Blake Brandel. At a glance, that’s a swap from a proven, elite center to one that snapped for the first time last year. That’s quite a drop. When Kelly was on the field, he was very much the excellent center the Vikings needed. Unfortunately, concussions took him off the field too many times. Those concussions led to his retirement this offseason. Now, Brandel steps into the lineup. If he stays on the field all season, the center position will be better off this season than it ended up being last season. In 2025, the Vikings had a ridiculous number of injuries on the offensive line. Will Fries was the only starter that started every game. And he spent the early part of the season working his way back from a serious broken leg in 2024. With all the chaos on the line, it’s no wonder the Vikings had to play three quarterbacks. In 2026, Christian Darrisaw should be fully recovered from the 2024 knee injury that frequently took him out of the lineup in 2025. Donovan Jackson will improve on his rookie season. Brandel just needs to be solid. Fries will be better than his first year with the Vikings. Brian O’Neill is always great. If the 2026 Vikings offensive line can dodge the injuries that wrecked 2025, this could be a dominant group.
Defensive Line
2025:
Harrison Phillips
Javon Hargrave
Jonathan Allen
2026:
Jalen Redmond
Domonique Orange
Caleb Banks
It’s wild that the projected defensive line starters at this point last year aren’t even on the roster this year. Harrison Phillips was traded during training camp because of the emergence of Jalen Redmond. After big free agent deals in 2025, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released in 2026. The Vikings defensive line might be the position group I’m most excited to see this summer. Redmond emerged as an impact player in his first season as a starter. He now paces this young group. I might be jumping ahead a bit in placing first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange as starters. If both aren’t starting at the start of the season, I expect both to make early impacts. Throw in Levi Drake Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, the Vikings defensive line is going to be fun.
Outside Linebacker
2025:
Jonathan Greenard
Andrew Van Ginkel
2026:
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel
I did not like the draft day trade of Jonathan Greenard. I didn’t like it but I understand it. He was demanding a salary increase the Vikings were reluctant to pay. More importantly, Dallas Turner is ready for a full time role. Andrew Van Ginkel is one of the most fun and unusual defensive players I’ve ever seen. His preternatural edge play is a joy to watch. I wish that he was Turner’s age (23). At 31, I’m hoping Van Ginkel has a few more years in him. Greenard will be missed but Turner and Van Ginkel will be a fun duo.
Inside Linebacker
2025:
Blake Cashman
Ivan Pace Jr.
2026:
Blake Cashman
Eric Wilson
Obviously, the difference here is Eric Wilson. He was a revelation last year. After four years slumming in Philadelphia and Green Bay, he returned to Minnesota as a special teams signing. An early season injury to Blake Cashman put him on the field at linebacker and he never left. Wilson’s play at linebacker got him an extension and an opportunity to form a terrific interior duo with Cashman.
Cornerback
2025:
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
Jeff Okudah
2026:
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
James Pierre
On paper, the difference here is Jeff Okudah vs James Pierre at CB3. It really isn’t a comparison. Okudah was a reclamation project that didn’t work. James Pierre might be turning 30 in September but his underrated career is on the rise. New Vikings secondary coach Gerald Alexander knows Pierre well from their time together in Pittsburgh.
Safety
2025:
Harrison Smith
Joshua Metellus
2026:
Joshua Metellus
Theo Jackson/Jay Ward/Jakobe Thomas
With Harrison Smith currently on the retired list, it’s tough to judge the Vikings safety group. I believe that he returns for his 15th season. Perhaps that’s simply because I’m not ready for his departure from the game. Whether or not Smith returns, I’m expecting third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas to make an early impact. If Smith doesn’t return, I wouldn’t be surprised if Metellus and Thomas are the Vikings starting safeties as early as the season-opener.
What a difference a year makes.
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