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Introducing the Vikings’ 8 New Starters for 2026
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- Introducing the Vikings’ 8 New Starters for 2026
Trevor Ruszkowski
The Minnesota Vikings did not conduct an offseason quite as busy per player movement as the 2024 and 2025 offseasons, but that doesn't mean the club has a shortage of new starters. Based on natural depth chart turnover, the Vikings are on deck to showcase eight new starters in 2026 on offense and defense.
So, to get you prepared for training camp , which is less than eight weeks away, here's a list of new starters and some who are trending to start.
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Vikings ' Depth Chart Has a Fresh Look This Summer
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray goes through pregame warmups before facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Murray prepared to lead Arizona's offense while continuing his return to regular-season action late in the year. The scene unfolded on Dec. 24, 2023, as the Cardinals and Bears met in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.
1. Kyler Murray (QB)
Unless J.J. McCarthy scores a massive and unforeseen summer upset, Murray is in town to hold down the fort at QB1 and reestablish himself as one of the NFL's premier passers. Once upon a time, he was considered the league's next big thing, but the experiment in Arizona did not work out.
Murray brings speed, arm strength, experience, and accuracy to Minnesota's huddle — at a 5'10" height. That's the one knock on the guy: his size and durability.
The Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings.
2. Max Bredeson (FB)
C.J. Ham retired a few months ago, along with Adam Thielen , and Minnesota wasted no time drafting Ham's replacement. Bredeson, a teammate of McCarthy at Michigan, brings hybrid TE-FB utility, and all signs point to him taking over the Ham role.
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It's debatable whether a fullback technically "starts" these days in the modern NFL, but you get it.
Purple Insider 's Matthe Coller wrote in April , "It's fair to wonder if the fifth round was a little early for a pure blocker but his blocking numbers and scouting reports suggest that he has a chance to be a difference maker in that role. Last year Bredeson posted an 85.2 PFF run blocking grade and 78.1 pass blocking grade. He allowed zero QB pressures last year and zero sacks as a blocker for his entire career."
"Picking Bredeson may be a sign of what's to come with the Vikings run game after hiring former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. The Dolphins were top notch in the run game with FB Alec Ingold on the field. Bredeson should jump into the fray quickly in that spot."
3. Jauan Jennings (WR)
Jennings spent seven seasons in San Francisco and has chosen Minnesota for his career's second chapter. When given the targets in the offense, he can be a 1,000-yard guy. He'll have to carve out a role among Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison , but for Vikings fans, that's a champagne problem.
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4. Blake Brandel (C)
Ryan Kelly retired. The Vikings signed zero free-agent centers. And they drafted Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati in Round 7. The clues point to Brandel starting at center after he took over for Kelly last year, while Kelly battled multiple concussions.
It's quite the audition for Brandel; he has the opportunity to latch on as Minnesota's long-term center for the next 5-7 years.
5. Caleb Banks (DT) — Maybe
Minnesota swerved in April, drafting Banks, who is recovering from back-to-back foot injuries. Most onlookers thought the Vikings would draft Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman , but that mock-draft-community theory fell flat.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks celebrates after recovering a fumble against LSU during SEC action at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Banks delivered a momentum-shifting play for Florida and helped energize the home crowd during the contest. The turnover occurred on Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville against the Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.
Banks, a man with All-Pro-caliber tools, will start before too long; it's a matter of when . All eyes will monitor him at training camp, as that should project whether Banks will be ready for September or start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
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6. Domonique Orange (DT) — Maybe
The Vikings have a new nose tackle, and his nickname is Big Citrus — for obvious reasons. He comes from Iowa State and is known for stuffing the run, which is exactly what you want from a nose tackle.
Veteran Levi Drake Rodriguez will angle to start the season at nose tackle, but based on Orange's 3rd-Round draft stock, it's probably a safe bet that he'll get the nod Week 1.
7. Dallas Turner (OLB)
For two seasons, Turner remained quasi-buried behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard on the purple depth chart. Those days are over. Minnesota traded Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, clearing a path for Turner to start — finally — in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner lines up on defense during an NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Turner contributed to Minnesota's postseason effort while gaining valuable playoff experience early in his career. The snap took place on Jan. 13, 2025, during the Vikings' playoff appearance. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
When Greenard got hurt last year, Turner turned into a forced fumble machine. Now, he'll be a full-time forced fumble machine.
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8. Jay Ward (S)
Harrison Smith is not currently on the Vikings' roster — it's the first time anybody has typed that since 2011 — and if that holds, Ward stands to benefit. He took over for Theo Jackson late last year, showing off his aggression and ball-tracking in Minnesota's secondary.
If Smith retires, the Vikings will likely showcase Josh Metellus and Ward as the two starting safeties against the Green Bay Packers on September 13th.
