Minnesota Vikings

Jordan Addison

WR

Once they do so, Addison -- who was the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft -- would remain under contract with the Vikings through the 2027 season. In 14 regular-season games in 2025, the 24-year-old compiled a 42-610-3 line on 79 targets while working alongside top WR Justin Jefferson. QB consistency was an issue that impacted the duo's production last year, but the signing of Kyler Murray (formerly of the Cardinals) earlier this month could lead to an uptick in Addison's 2026 upside, should Murray earn the starting job over J.J. McCarthy, and in the process engineer a bounce-back effort following his change of scenery.

Ryan Van Demark

OT

Van Demark officially is a member of the Vikings on a one-year, $4.2 million deal after signing the offer sheet as a restricted free agent earlier in the week. Van Demark appeared in all 17 regular-season games last season, making four starts, seeing snaps at both left tackle and right tackle.

Carson Wentz

QB

Wentz will return to Minnesota for a second season, adding depth to a quarterback room that already includes the recently-signed Kyler Murray as well as holdovers J.J. McCarthy (hand) and Max Brosmer. Murray and McCarthy will likely be competing for the starting job throughout training camp and the preseason, but if the Vikings were to trade McCarthy prior to Week 1, Wentz could open the 2026 campaign in the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in late October, Wentz made five starts in place of an injured McCarthy during the 2025 season, completing 110 of 169 pass attempts (65.1 percent) for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 57 yards on 11 carries. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Wentz has since recovered from surgery, so the 33-year-old should be a full participant for the Vikings' offseason program.

Johnny Hekker

P

Hekker is a four-time Pro Bowler, though he most recently earned that honor in 2017. He punted for Tennessee last season and averaged 46.8 yards per kick, which ranked 20th in the league among players with at least 25 punts. With Minnesota, he'll replace Ryan Wright, who signed with the Saints earlier in March.

J.J. McCarthy

QB

For what it's worth, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell declined to comment on expectations for a 2026 starter when reporters asked him Thursday. Reading between the lines, McCarthy's poor 2025 performance would make him a major underdog if a job battle were to take place, even against a post-prime version of Murray (who turns 29 in August). O'Connell is saying all of the things one might expect about continuing McCarthy's development, but odds are it'll be happening from the bench for at least the early part of the 2026 campaign.

Kyler Murray

QB

With Murray set to collect $36.8 million from the Cardinals in 2026 following his release from the team, Murray will earn the veteran league minimum from the Vikings, according to Schefter. The contract also contains a no-tag clause for next offseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Minnesota was always viewed as the likely landing spot for Murray, and he'll now be considered the slight favorite to win the QB1 job over J.J. McCarthy, though this will be one of the more fascinating position battles of the summer. After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 followed by back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021, Murray's career was somewhat derailed by injuries and poor play. A fresh start appeared to be necessary, and he'll now have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal should he win the job over McCarthy.

Aaron Jones Sr.

RB

Jones is lowering his base salary for the 2026 season to $5.5 million, a figure that makes it more realistic for Minnesota to retain the 31-year-old veteran for the 2026 campaign rather than release him in a cap-saving maneuver. Last year Jones was limited to just 12 regular-season appearances due to a combination of injuries, missing Week 18 due to a hip issue, but there have been no reports that the veteran running back will be limited at all during spring activities. Jones logged 132 carries for 548 yards and two touchdowns while adding 28 catches (on 41 targets) for 199 yards and another score in 2025 and currently stands alongside Jordan Mason atop the Vikings' backfield, though the team could still make further additions to that unit in free agency and/or April's draft.

Tavierre Thomas

S

Thomas played all 17 regular-season games with Minnesota in 2025, operating as a versatile depth option at cornerback and a key special-teams contributor. The eight-year veteran projects to handle a similar role over the next two seasons.

Zavier Scott

RB

Scott made his regular-season debut in 2025 and ultimately suited up for 16 contests with the Vikings, totaling 32 carries for 114 yards (3.6 YPC) while adding 14 catches for 98 yards and a score through the air. He also contributed on special teams. Though Minnesota's backfield could undergo significant changes over the course of the offseason, Scott appears solidified as a depth option for the 2026 campaign.

James Pierre

CB

Once Pierre's deal becomes official Wednesday at the start of the new league year, it will feature $3.7 million in guaranteed money and a $2.5 million signing bonus. He's expected to take over as Minnesota's slot cornerback. Pierre filled that role for the Steelers in 2025 but also filled in capably on the outside when injuries struck Pittsburgh's cornerback room. He notched 11 passes defensed in 14 appearances during the 2025 regular season.

Eric Wilson

LB

Wilson made his return to Minnesota in 2025 after leaving the team following the 2020 campaign. The linebacker stepped up his production with the Vikings, recording 115 total tackles (60 solo), which was his highest total since 2020, while also notching a career-high 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. As a result of the monster year, he now has been rewarded handsomely with a lucrative three-year deal.

Justin Jefferson

WR

Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) both agreed to restructures Friday, helping Minnesota achieve a more manageable salary cap situation ahead of the start of the legal tampering period on Monday. The star wide receiver, who will turn 27 in June, will likely spend the offseason focusing on building an increased rapport with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand), after the two struggled to get on the same page throughout the 2025 campaign. The Vikings have also been linked to numerous quarterbacks expected to be available in free agency as potential added competition for McCarthy.

Jalen Redmond

DT

Redmond will be back with Minnesota for the 2026 campaign after having a breakout second season with the Vikings. He started 15 of 17 regular-season contests in 2025 and recorded 62 tackles (33 solo), including 6.0 sacks, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on 74 percent of the defensive snaps.

Jonathan Greenard

LB

Greenard could be a cap casualty for Minnesota. The 28-year-old racked up 24.5 sacks across the 2023 and 2024 seasons but had a down season in 2025, recording just 38 tackles (19 solo), including 3.0 sacks, across 12 games.

Jay Ward

S

Ward logged just 62 defensive snaps over 33 regular-season contests in his first two NFL campaigns, but he was much more involved on defense in 2025 with 249 defensive snaps. The 2023 fourth-round draft pick made his first NFL start in Week 10 and then started each of the Vikings' final three contests after Josh Metellus (shoulder) landed on IR. Ward will be in the final season of his rookie contract in 2026, and if Harrison Smith decides to retire, Ward could be tabbed for a starting role.

Levi Drake Rodriguez

DT

Rodriguez played in just two games as a rookie, but he was much more involved during his sophomore NFL campaign. The 2024 seventh-round draft pick played over half of Minnesota's defensive snaps in eight contests, including in each of the final three games of the regular season. Rodriguez will be in the third year of his rookie contract in 2026 and figures to again play a significant role for the Vikings' defense.

Theo Jackson

S

Jackson didn't make any starts over 43 regular-season games across his first three NFL campaigns, but he started in each of Minnesota's first six contests last season. The Tennessee product saw a lessened role thereafter but still worked as a rotational defensive back most weeks and made two additional starts. Jackson tallied the first two sacks of his NFL career and posted a career-high 47 total tackles, though the midseason demotion doesn't bode well for his opportunities moving forward. Still, he's signed for another two years, so Jackson should play at least a rotational role for the Vikings again in 2026.

Ivan Pace Jr.

LB

Pace started the season with a high defensive snap share due to the absence of Blake Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1. As the season continued, Pace saw diminished defensive snaps. The 25-year-old will enter the 2026 offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning the Vikings will have an opportunity to match any offer Pace might receive.

Isaiah Rodgers

CB

Rodgers started at outside cornerback in every game of the Vikings' 2025 campaign, showing consistency in the first year of his two-year, $15 million contract with the team. The highlight of the 28-year-old's season was making history with the highest Pro Football Focus grade since 2006, which he earned by logging a pick-six and two forced fumbles in the Week 3 victory over the Bengals. Rodgers will likely remain a starting cornerback for the Vikings going into the 2026 season.

Elijah Williams

DE

questionable

Joshua Metellus

S

questionable

Christian Darrisaw

OT

questionable

Gavin Bartholomew

TE

questionable

Ben Yurosek

TE

Yurosek joined the team as an undrafted free agent last May and saw limited action during his rookie campaign. With both T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and Josh Oliver (ankle) under contract for the 2026 campaign, Yurosek will likely continue to see the majority of his playing time on special teams next season.

Tai Felton

WR

Felton saw the majority of his action on special teams and played just 49 offensive snaps during his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old will look to play a bigger role in Minnesota's offense during the 2026 season.