With the NFL offseason almost wrapped up and training camp coming to a close soon, it’s a good time to take a look at each NFL team’s offseason recap as we get just a few weeks away from the start of the regular season. Let’s take a look at the Minnesota Vikings’ new team and analyze the team’s incoming and outgoing players as they shape up for the 2026 season.
The Minnesota Vikings are entering the 2026 season in a peculiar situation with unanswered questions at quarterback and some changes in the front office over the offseason. The Vikings finished 9-8 in 2025 and ended up missing the playoffs after a shaky season with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer all taking snaps under center throughout the season. They also underwent significant changes in the front office, with former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired and Nolan Teasley being hired as his replacement.
The Vikings had a relatively quiet offseason period, but their biggest additions were bringing in Kyler Murray and Jauan Jennings on offense. Murray was a huge addition for the Vikings, signing a one-year deal, as many people thought J.J. McCarthy would be the starter going into 2026. Murray was named the starter during training camp and started Week 1 versus Green Bay before going down with a head injury. The Vikings now have just as many questions at quarterback with Murray sidelined and the backups of Wentz and McCarthy in line to start in his absence.
Jauan Jennings also signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Vikings and now slides in as their WR3. Jennings had a solid 2025 season where he caught 55 passes for 643 yards. He also had nine touchdowns, which is a career high after five seasons in the league. The Vikings now have a very capable wide receiver trio with Justin Jefferson at the helm, led by Jordan Addison and now Jennings as well.
The Vikings also added some depth at cornerback by signing James Pierre to a two-year, $8.5 million deal. Pierre is off to a good start in his Vikings tenure, as he had an interception in Minnesota’s season opener.
The Vikings lost numerous starters on their defensive line during the offseason, such as Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. In a move that was designed to create some salary cap flexibility, Greenard was traded to the Eagles during the draft along with the 244th overall pick in exchange for the 98th overall pick in 2026 and a 2027 third-round pick. In 12 games with Minnesota last year, Greenard totaled 38 tackles and three sacks.
Allen was also released by Minnesota for salary cap reasons before signing a two-year, $26 million deal with the Bengals. In his sole season with Minnesota in 2025, Allen made 68 total tackles and earned 3.5 sacks. The defensive line departures continued as Javon Hargrave signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Packers. Hargrave had 52 total tackles and 3.5 sacks with Minnesota last season. Losing three talented and experienced veterans has now left Minnesota with an extremely young defensive line entering the 2026 season.
Minnesota had nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft and used many of their selections on the defensive side, trying to supplement their offseason losses. Minnesota selected Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick, and he fills a big gap within a new defensive line group. Banks has some injury concerns, but the pick gives defensive coordinator Brian Flores another versatile and powerful defensive lineman to create havoc in the middle.
The Vikings also used their second- and third-round selections on the defensive side, selecting linebacker Jake Golday and defensive lineman Domonique Orange, respectively.
The Vikings had one of the most interesting offseason periods in the entire NFL. Their biggest move was handing the reins to Kyler Murray instead of Wentz or McCarthy, and although Murray may have a higher ceiling and brings experience, his Week 1 injury brings back just as many questions at quarterback that Minnesota was dealing with over the summer. While Minnesota’s quarterback play will undoubtedly be the main story for the Vikings’ offense this season, they still have numerous capable weapons and one of the NFL’s best receivers in Justin Jefferson.
Despite losing many veterans on defense, especially within their defensive line, Minnesota is trusting Brian Flores to oversee the defensive turnover and rebuild. Flores’ defensive scheme has brought the Vikings success on defense with their heavy blitzing rate, already totaling four sacks against the Packers in Week 1, and hoping to significantly add to that total throughout the rest of the season. Minnesota made some risky moves over the offseason, but they still have the same questions at quarterback as they did in 2025, which may limit their potential and ceiling in 2026.
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