2026 NFL offseason preview: Minnesota Vikings still have the bones of a contender — if they figure out QB

The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North:Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East:Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South:Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West:Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks

Minnesota Vikings

2025 season record: 9-8 (o 8.5 wins), third in NFC North, missed playoffs, 18th in DVOA

Overview

Expectations were high for the Vikings coming off a 14-win season in 2024. However, the main goal of 2025 was to get as much information as possible on quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota disappointed and also did not get a clear evaluation of McCarthy as a quarterback.

The second-year player and first-year starter battled injuries and finished 31st out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per play. But that was broken up into huge splits. In McCarthy's six starts through Week 12, he averaged -0.29 EPA per play, easily the worst rate in the league. Then over the final four weeks of the season, he averaged 0.29 EPA per play, the fifth-best mark, and had the second-best success rate while he looked more comfortable behind center. Still, with no clear answer, the Vikings are left in a similar spot heading into the offseason. Expect there to be at least veteran competition brought in.

Despite all of this, Minnesota still finished above its win total and over .500. That was mostly thanks to a Brian Flores defense that ranked third in DVOA. Flores is a free agent, who could be hired elsewhere as a head coach or defensive coordinator.

If most of the pieces stay in place, the Vikings remain a well-structured team that is just average quarterback play away from contending.

Cap/cuts outlook

Minnesota has -$50.5 million in effective salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, the second-lowest figure in the league. That number looks way worse than it is, though. Most of the Vikings' highest cap hits for 2026 come from high base salaries with low signing bonuses. Restructuring the contracts of Justin Jefferson and Brian O'Neill could open up to $31 million in cap space alone. Cutting Javon Hargrave would free up $11 million and could be the most likely cap casualty. Releasing Aaron Jones would also save $8 million and T.J. Hockenson would save $9 million. One other name to watch could be center Ryan Kelly, who played only eight games while dealing with concussion issues. Moving on from Kelly would save nearly $9 million on the cap.

Key pending free agents

S Harrison Smith
LB Eric Wilson
IDL Jalen Redmond
LB Ivan Pace Jr.
WR Jalen Nailor

Smith is listed here, but it appears he'll retire. Still, that's going to be a missed presence in the back end of Minnesotas secondary if he does not return. Redmond turned into a fun player, who picked up six sacks, five batted passes and a forced fumble in his first year as a starter. Nailor played 65% of the team's offensive snaps and was a usable third option in the passing game, but averaged only a yard per route run.

Positional needs

Cornerback
Safety
Linebacker
Interior defensive line

The secondary was thin and made what Brian Flores accomplished with this defense as its coordinator even more impressive. If Flores doesn't return, that could make improving the secondary an even more glaring requirement. Linebacker also becomes an issue if one or both of Ivan Pace and Eric Wilson leave in free agency. Wilson played 91% of Minnesota's defensive snaps in 2025. In 2024, Flores used a league-high 28.8% rate of dime defense with six defensive backs on the field. That dropped to just 8% in 2025 when the Vikings didn't have the bodies to go light. With Jalen Redmond a free agent and Javon Hargrave a potential cut, the Vikings could need help along the interior of the defensive line.

Minnesota has one of the best 1-2 combinations at receiver with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but as a heavy 11 personnel team (63.8%, 10th-most), that third receiver gets a lot of run in the offense.

2026 NFL Draft picks

1st round, pick No. 18
2nd round
3rd round
5th round (PHI)
6th round (IND)
7th round
7th round (JAX)

Good draft fit

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Terrell, younger brother of Falcons star A.J., is a little undersized but a scrappy defender with speed to burn. His ability to hold up on the back end will be extra valuable if Brian Flores and his blitz-happy defense sign a new contract to stay in Minnesota.

What could move the fantasy needle in 2026?

Figure out the quarterback spot

Simple to say, hard to do. The Vikings can't realistically go into next season with J.J. McCarthy as the unquestioned starting quarterback. Some degree of competition will need to be acquired. How high they reach to get such a competitor will be fascinating to watch. The Vikings were one of the most disappointing offenses in the NFL this season, with Justin Jefferson's lack of production a weekly talking point. You can trace most of it back to the state of the quarterback position. You don't have to bail on McCarthy altogether but they need more options. - Matt Harmon

Betting nugget

Despite several starts and highlight-worthy turnovers from third-string QB Max Brosmer, the Vikings improbably went over their preseason win of 8.5 after ending the season on a five-game winning streak to finish 9-8. - Ben Fawkes