2026 Minnesota Vikings season

2026 Minnesota Vikings season
OwnerZygi Wilf
General managerTBD
Head coachKevin O'Connell
Home stadiumU.S. Bank Stadium
Results
Record0–0
Uniform

The 2026 season will be the Minnesota Vikings' 66th in the National Football League (NFL), their 11th playing their home games at U.S. Bank Stadium, their 22nd under the ownership of Zygi Wilf, their fifth under head coach Kevin O'Connell, and their first under a new general manager. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski will serve as the team’s interim general manager through the 2026 NFL draft.[1] The Vikings will hope to improve upon their 9–8 record from the previous season, return to the playoffs after a one-year absence, and end their three-year NFC North title drought.

Offseason

Staff

2026 Minnesota Vikings coaching staff changes
Position Previous incumbent Vacancy reason Replacement(s) Source(s)
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores, 2023–present Contract extended N/a [2]
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, 2020–2025 Fired TBC [3]
Defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, 2022–2025 Hired by the Washington Commanders[4] Gerald Alexander [5]
Offensive line coach Chris Kuper, 2022–2025 Contract expired Keith Carter
Assistant head coach Mike Pettine, 2022–2025 Retired[6] Frank Smith
Defensive running game coordinator N/a N/a Ryan Nielsen
Football administration consultant N/a N/a Matt Thomas [7]
Assistant offensive line coach Keith Carter, 2025 Promoted to offensive line coach Derek Warehime [8]
Tight ends coach Brian Angelichio, 2022–2025 Hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers[9] Ryan Cordell
Offensive passing game coordinator Josh McCown [10]
Assistant wide receivers coach Tony Sorrentino, 2022–2025 Hired by the Arizona Cardinals[11] Derron Montgomery
Assistant defensive line coach Imarjaye Albury Sr., 2020–2025 Hired by Texas Tech[12] Patrick Hill
Passing game specialist Ryan Cordell, 2022–2025 Promoted to tight ends coach Jordan Traylor
Offensive quality control Derron Montgomery, 2022–2025 Promoted to assistant wide receivers coach Kyle Caskey
Assistant special teams coach Dalmin Gibson, 2023–2025 Promoted to assistant linebackers coach Chili Davis
Assistant offensive coordinator Jordan Traylor, 2025 Promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach/passing game specialist Chris O'Hara
Defensive assistant N/a N/a Will Johnson
Assistant defensive backs coach N/a N/a Chenzo Funari
Assistant linebackers coach N/a N/a Dalmin Gibson
Senior defensive assistant N/a N/a Mike Siravo

Futures contracts

Position Player Date signed Source
WR Dontae Fleming January 5 [13]
S Kahlef Hailassie
LB Josh Ross
G Vershon Lee
T Caleb Etienne
WR Joaquin Davis
WR Jeshaun Jones
TE Bryson Nesbit
DL Jaylon Hutchings January 7
LB Jacob Roberts

Free agents

Position Player Free agency
tag 		2026 team Date Notes Source
LB Eric Wilson UFA Minnesota Vikings March 9 3 years, $22.5 million [14]
DL Jalen Redmond ERFA Minnesota Vikings 1 year, $1.075 million [15]
LB Ivan Pace Jr. RFA Minnesota Vikings 1 year, $3.52 million [16]
OLB Bo Richter ERFA Minnesota Vikings 1 year, $1.075 million [17]
RB Zavier Scott ERFA Minnesota Vikings 1 year, $1.005 million
LS Andrew DePaola UFA Minnesota Vikings March 10 1 years, $1.725 million [18]
S Tavierre Thomas UFA Minnesota Vikings March 11 2 years, $4.6 million [19]
P Ryan Wright UFA New Orleans Saints March 11 4 years, $14 million [20]
WR Jalen Nailor UFA Las Vegas Raiders March 12 3 years, $35.03 million [21]
TE Ben Sims RFA Miami Dolphins March 16 1 year, $1.3325 million [22]
RB Ty Chandler UFA New Orleans Saints March 17 1 year, $1.215 million [23]
QB Carson Wentz UFA Minnesota Vikings March 19 1 year [24]
CB Fabian Moreau UFA
T Matt Nelson UFA
CB Jeff Okudah UFA
QB Brett Rypien UFA
T Justin Skule UFA
QB John Wolford UFA

Signings

Position Player Free agency
tag 		Former team Date signed Notes Source
CB James Pierre UFA Pittsburgh Steelers March 12 2 years, $8.5 million [25]
QB Kyler Murray UFA Arizona Cardinals March 12 1 year, $1.3 million [26]
P Johnny Hekker UFA Tennessee Titans March 17 1 year [27]

Releases/retirements

Position Player New team Date released/retired Source
CB Tyrek Funderburk Carolina Panthers[28] January 12 [29]
DE Jonathan Harris
RB Sincere McCormick
LB Gabriel Murphy
OT Max Pircher
LB Sione Takitaki
FB C. J. Ham Retired February 5 [30]
C Ryan Kelly Retired March 6 [31]
DL Jonathan Allen Cincinnati Bengals March 11 [32]
DL Javon Hargrave Green Bay Packers
S Harrison Smith [33]

Draft

Having finished with a 9–8 record in 2025, equal with the Detroit Lions, the Vikings had the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft and alternated with the Lions in each subsequent round. They are scheduled to go into the draft with nine selections, their most since the 2022 draft. As well as their original first-, second-, third- and seventh-round picks, they were also awarded an additional third-round pick in compensation for the loss of QB Sam Darnold.[34] They acquired an additional sixth-round selection in a trade that sent DT Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets, in conjunction with a late-round pick swap in 2027;[35] that sixth-round pick was later sent to the Philadelphia Eagles along with QB Sam Howell in exchange for an additional fifth-round selection.[36] They acquired another sixth-round selection in a trade that sent CB Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts.[37]

The Vikings originally traded away their fifth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for T Cam Robinson and an additional seventh-round pick;[38] the trade contained conditions that the fifth-round pick would be upgraded to a fourth-round pick and the seventh-round pick would be annuled based on Robinson meeting a playing time threshold,[39] which he did. Having regained their original fifth-round pick, the Vikings then traded it away to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for WR Adam Thielen and an additional seventh-round selection, as well as swapping mid-round picks in 2027.[40] The Vikings' original sixth-round pick was first sent to the Houston Texans as part of a trade for RB Cam Akers that also gave the Vikings an additional seventh-round pick;[41] the Texans then traded that same sixth-round pick back to the Vikings in exchange for G Ed Ingram,[42] before the Vikings again traded the pick away to the San Francisco 49ers (along with a 2025 fifth-round selection) for RB Jordan Mason.[43]

2026 Minnesota Vikings draft selections
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 18
2 49
3 82
97 Compensatory selection
4 117 Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars[A]
5 158 Traded to the Carolina Panthers[B]
163 From Eagles[C]
6 196 From Colts[D]
198 Traded to the San Francisco 49ers[E] From Vikings[F] via Texans[G]
211 Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles[C] From Broncos via Jets[H]
7 234
235 From Panthers[B]
244 From Texans[F]

Draft trades

  1. ^ The Vikings traded a conditional fifth-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection and OT Cam Robinson. The fifth-round selection became a fourth-round selection (117th overall) as a result of Robinson meeting playing time criteria. The conditions for the seventh-round selection were not met.
  2. ^ a b The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (158th overall) and a 2027 fourth-round selection to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection (235th overall), a 2027 fifth-round selection and WR Adam Thielen.
  3. ^ a b The Vikings traded a sixth-round selection (211th overall) and QB Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fifth-round selection (163rd overall) and a 2027 seventh-round selection.
  4. ^ The Vikings traded CB Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a sixth-round selection (196th overall).
  5. ^ The Vikings traded a sixth-round selection (198th overall) and a 2025 fifth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for RB Jordan Mason.
  6. ^ a b The Vikings traded a conditional sixth-round selection (198th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection (244th overall) and RB Cam Akers.
  7. ^ The Vikings traded G Ed Ingram to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round selection (198th overall).
  8. ^ The Vikings traded a 2027 seventh-round selection and DT Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth-round selection (211th overall) and a 2027 sixth-round selection.

Staff

Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office
  • Owner/chairman – Zygi Wilf
  • Owner/vice chairman – Leonard Wilf
  • Owner/president – Mark Wilf
  • Chief operating officer – Andrew Miller
  • General manager – Vacant
  • Executive vice president of football operations – Rob Brzezinski
  • Assistant general manager – Ryan Grigson
  • Assistant general manager – Demitrius Washington
  • Director of player personnel – Ryan Monnens
  • Assistant director of player personnel – Chisom Opara
  • Director of pro personnel – Sam DeLuca
  • Senior personnel executive – Jamaal Stephenson
  • Director of college scouting – Mike Sholiton
  • Senior college executive – Pat Roberts
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  • Offensive coordinator – Wes Phillips
  • Assistant offensive coordinator – Chris O'Hara
  • Offensive passing game coordinator/quarterbacks – Josh McCown
  • Assistant quarterbacks/passing game specialist – Jordan Traylor
  • Offensive running game coordinator/running backs – Curtis Modkins
  • Wide receivers – Keenan McCardell
  • Assistant wide receivers – Derron Montgomery
  • Tight ends/game management coordinator – Ryan Cordell
  • Offensive line – Keith Carter
  • Assistant offensive line – Derek Warehime
  • Offensive assistant – Ben Ellefson
  • Offensive quality control – Kyle Caskey
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Brian Flores
  • Defensive running game coordinator – Ryan Nielsen
  • Assistant defensive line – Patrick Hill
  • Outside linebackers – Thad Bogardus
  • Senior defensive assistant/inside linebackers – Mike Siravo
  • Assistant linebackers – Dalmin Gibson
  • Defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs – Gerald Alexander
  • Assistant defensive backs – Chenzo Funari
  • Defensive assistant – Charlie Frye
  • Defensive assistant – Will Johnson
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Matt Daniels
  • Assistant special teams – Chili Davis
Strength and conditioning
  • Vice president, player health and performance – Tyler Williams
  • Director of sports medicine – Matt Duhamel
  • Associate head athletic trainer – Connor Whicker
  • Head performance dietician – Ben Hawkins
  • Head strength coach – Joe Distor Jr.
  • Assistant strength coach/head of applied sports science – Dan Ridenour

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

Minnesota Vikings roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Impending free agents (FA)

Restricted free agents (RFA)

Preseason

The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule will be announced in the spring.

Regular season

2026 opponents

Listed below are the Vikings' opponents for 2026. They will play nine games at home and eight on the road. In addition to home and away matchups against each of their NFC North divisional rivals, they will play against each of the teams in the NFC South and AFC East, as well as the teams that also finished in third place in each of the NFC East, NFC West and AFC South. Exact dates and times will be announced in the spring.[44]

Category Home Away
Division opponents
(NFC North)		 Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Conference opponents
(NFC South)		 Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers		 New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Conference opponents
(based on 2025 division placement)		 Washington Commanders San Francisco 49ers
Interconference opponents
(AFC East)		 Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins		 New England Patriots
New York Jets
Interconference opponent
(based on 2025 division placement)		 Indianapolis Colts N/a

References

  1. ^ "Vikings fire general manager, name interim replacement". January 30, 2026.
  2. ^ "Vikings Sign Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores to Contract Extension". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. January 21, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  3. ^ "Vikings Announce Personnel Change". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. January 30, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  4. ^ "Commanders hire Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator". commanders.com. Washington Commanders. January 30, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  5. ^ Kleifield, Rob (January 30, 2026). "Vikings Announce 3 Additions to, 1 Promotion in Kevin O'Connell's Coaching Staff". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  6. ^ "Vikings' Mike Pettine, former Browns head coach, retiring". Reuters. January 13, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  7. ^ Peters, Craig (February 5, 2026). "Vikings Hire Consultant to Help with 2026 Offseason". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  8. ^ Peters, Craig (February 13, 2026). "Vikings Hire Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Promote Assistant to Guide Tight Ends". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  9. ^ Varley, Teresa (February 5, 2026). "Steelers add to coaching staff". Steelers.com. Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  10. ^ Young, Lindsey (February 24, 2026). "Vikings Announce Updates to 2026 Coaching Staff". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  11. ^ Williams, Charean (February 11, 2026). "Cardinals hire Tony Sorrentino as WRs coach". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  12. ^ Jordan, L. (February 13, 2026). "Texas Tech adds top NFL defensive assistant Imarjaye Albury Sr". MSN.com. Microsoft. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  13. ^ Peters, Craig (January 5, 2026). "Vikings Sign 8 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  14. ^ Young, Lindsey (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms on New Contract for Linebacker Eric Wilson". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  15. ^ Peters, Craig (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Tender Jalen Redmond's Contract for 2026". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  16. ^ Kleifield, Rob (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Tender 2026 Contract for Ivan Pace Jr". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  17. ^ Kleifield, Rob (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Re-Sign Bo Richter & Zavier Scott". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  18. ^ Peters, Craig (March 10, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms with Long Snapper Andrew DePaola". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  19. ^ Peters, Craig (March 10, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms with Safety Tavierre Thomas". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  20. ^ "Saints agree to terms with punter Ryan Wright". neworleanssaints.com. New Orleans Saints. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  21. ^ "Raiders sign WR Jalen Nailor". raiders.com. Las Vegas Raiders. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  22. ^ "Dolphins sign Sims". miamidolphins.com. Miami Dolphins. March 16, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  23. ^ "Saints agree to terms with running back Ty Chandler". neworleanssaints.com. New Orleans Saints. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  24. ^ Kleifield, Rob (March 19, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms with Quarterback Carson Wentz". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  25. ^ Kleifield, Rob (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms with Cornerback James Pierre". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  26. ^ Peters, Craig (March 12, 2026). "Vikings Sign Veteran Quarterback Kyler Murray". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  27. ^ Young, Lindsey (March 17, 2026). "Vikings Agree to Terms with 4-Time Pro Bowl Punter Johnny Hekker". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  28. ^ Gantt, Darin (January 12, 2026). "Panthers sign 15 to future deals". Panthers.com.
  29. ^ Bonjour, Douglas (January 13, 2026). "Six Vikings Players Become Free Agents as Practice Squad Contracts Expire". heavy.com. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  30. ^ Alper, Josh (February 5, 2026). "Vikings FB C.J. Ham announces his retirement". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  31. ^ Peters, Craig (March 6, 2026). "Center Ryan Kelly Announces Retirement". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  32. ^ Peters, Craig (March 11, 2026). "Vikings Release Defensive Linemen Jonathan Allen & Javon Hargrave". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  33. ^ Peters, Craig (March 11, 2026). "Vikings Announce Roster Move Involving Harrison Smith". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  34. ^ Peters, Craig (March 9, 2026). "Vikings Awarded 1 Compensatory Selection in 2026 NFL Draft". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  35. ^ Young, Lindsey (August 21, 2025). "Vikings Trade Harrison Phillips to Jets in Exchange for Draft Picks". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  36. ^ Young, Lindsey (August 24, 2025). "Vikings Agree to Terms with QB Carson Wentz; Trade Sam Howell to Eagles". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  37. ^ Peters, Craig (August 25, 2025). "Vikings Trade Mekhi Blackmon to Colts". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  38. ^ Peters, Craig (October 30, 2024). "Vikings Acquire Tackle Cam Robinson in Trade with Jaguars". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  39. ^ Florio, Mike (October 30, 2024). "Cam Robinson trade includes a pair of conditional picks". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  40. ^ Young, Lindsey (August 27, 2025). "Vikings Returning Adam Thielen to Minnesota in Trade with Carolina Panthers". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  41. ^ Peters, Craig (October 15, 2024). "Vikings Agree on Trade to Acquire Running Back Cam Akers". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  42. ^ Young, Lindsey (March 13, 2025). "Vikings Trade Ed Ingram to Texans in Exchange for 2026 Draft Pick". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  43. ^ Peters, Craig (March 18, 2025). "Vikings Agree to Trade with 49ers to Acquire RB Jordan Mason". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  44. ^ "2026 NFL season: Team-by-team opponents for every game". NFL.com. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
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