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
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