Vikings May Roll Out 8 New Starters in 2026

Michigan tight end Max Bredeson (44), defensive end Joey Klunder (93), and offensive lineman Trente Jones (53) celebrate on the field after a dominant win, Sept. 2, 2023, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, following a 30-3 victory that showcased the Wolverines’ depth and physical style in the season opener. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK.

8. Max Bredeson (FB)

C.J. Ham is gone and isn’t coming back. Rather than delete the fullback position, as many NFL teams have over the last five years, the Vikings have renewed their FB vitality with Bredeson, a former teammate of J.J. McCarthy.

7. Tai Felton or Veteran WR3 (WR)

Jalen Nailor signed a fat contract with the Las Vegas Raiders two months ago, and he may be on deck for WR1 duty with Klint Kubiak’s team. That leaves Felton as the next man up, though Minnesota is flirting with Jauan Jennings, who would be a magnificent WR3.

6. Jay Ward (S)

Ward saw more playing time down the stretch of 2025, even taking Theo Jackson’s spot in Brian Flores’s defense. With Harrison Smith perhaps retired, Ward would be the natural choice to start next to Josh Metellus.

5. Blake Brandel (C)

Ryan Kelly retired after three concussions in 2025, a wise move. Then, Minnesota signed no replacement centers in free agency and didn’t pick any in the first six rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, waiting on Round 7 to choose Cincinnati’s Gavin Gerhardt. It’s probably Brande at center for Week 1.

Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) lines up during postseason action, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the Vikings face the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Wild Card game with Brandel anchoring the offensive line in a high-stakes playoff matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Our Janik Eckardt on Brandel: “A clear need entering the offseason was the center position, especially since veteran Ryan Kelly announced his retirement following a concussion-plagued campaign. However, instead of spending money in free agency or a draft pick last week. Minnesota’s decision-makers appear happy with the current top option, versatile backup Blake Brandel.”

“The asterisk was that a new center could still arrive in the draft, but only seventh-rounder Gavin Gerhardt joined, who’s certainly unlikely to take over. It’s Brandel’s position now.”

4. Domonique Orange (NT)

The Vikings haven’t employed a prototypical starting nose tackle since Linval Joseph — seven years ago — and Orange is the solution to that drought. So long as he can defeat Levi Drake Rodriguez at training camp in August, he’s the shiny new nose tackle.

3. Caleb Banks (NT)

Minnesota booted Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave from the roster, and instead of signing Christian Wilkins, for example, it took a swing with a boom-or-bust 1st-Round pick in Banks.

If Banks’s foot is good to go, he has an All-Pro upside. For 2026’s purposes, it’s all a matter of whether the broken bone in his foot from the Combine is completely healed. If so, he’ll start in September.

2. Dallas Turner (OLB)

Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles eight days ago, grabbing two 3rd-Rounders for his troubles. Turner, a 2024 1st-Rounder, is now vividly in line to hold a starter’s job for the long term.

It’s time to see if the 2024 trade — the expensive one — was worth it.

MSN’s Adam Patrick on Turner: “The 23-year-old pass rusher appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last year, including 10 in which he was a starter. In those 17 contests, Turner accumulated 66 tackles (11 for a loss), 24 pressures, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and three pass deflections.”

“When filling in for Van Ginkel last season, he did a solid job. But when Greenard was sidelined was really when Turner got to play a role in Minnesota’s defense that better suited his strengths. The Vikings clearly noticed what the young pass rusher was able to do when filling in for Greenard in 2025, which made it that much easier for the team to complete the trade with the Eagles on Friday.”

1. Kyler Murray (QB)

He’s in town, folks. Murray, a two-time Pro Bowler, picked the Vikings for his “prove it” season after the Arizona Cardinals kicked him to the curb in favor of Jacoby Brissett.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) surveys the field during game action, Oct. 28, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers with Murray leading the offense in a primetime matchup against a top NFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Barring a stunning training camp upset by the aforementioned McCarthy, Murray is the Vikings’ new QB1, and if he plays his cards right — Minnesota reaches the postseason and wins a playoff game or multiple — he’ll probably be the team’s signal-caller well into his 30s.

Murray fell into the Vikings’ lap like a gift from the Almighty.