12 Bold Predictions for the Vikings This Summer

Story by

12 Bold Predictions for the Vikings This Summer — Jeffrey Becker

Dustin Baker

Sat, May 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM UTC ·

5 min read

It’s time to start thinking about the summer for the Minnesota Vikings , with free agency and the draft in the rearview. Every year, we ask our writers to think outside the box in May, delivering bold predictions that are designed to be funky, brash, and outside the box.

Twelve predictions. One busy summer. Minnesota has plenty to sort out before Week 1.

Here’s what they said for the summer of 2026.

The Vikings’ Summer Could Bring More Than Routine Roster Tweaks

What’s your hottest take for the Vikings before the start of Week 1?

J.J. McCarthy talks with Mike Sainristil on the field after a Vikings game. vikings predictions. — Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame moment with Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis marking a tightly contested matchup that carried late-season implications. The exchange captured McCarthy’s visible reaction as Minnesota continued evaluating its quarterback trajectory. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

1. J.J. McCarthy Wins the QB1 Job

Predictor: Wes Johnson

J.J. McCarthy emerges as the team’s QB1 to open the season after a strong camp battle with Kyler Murray . While this is low-hanging fruit, it’s something that could definitely happen and would light VikingsTwitter on fire.

2. Vikings Add Not One, But Two, Notable WRs

Predictor: Tony Schultz

My hot summer take is that the Vikings don’t sign a veteran wide receiver. They sign two . Jauan Jennings came in for a talk with the team. He hung out for the day and then left. Don’t worry, he’ll be back. I think the Vikings double down and later pick up DeAndre Hopkins later on. Why? The team has shaved the cap back some, and Hopkins is running out of time in the NFL.

At 33, he sees his personal window closing and his friend and former teammate, Kyler Murray , on a team loaded with offensive talent. For a cheap one-year deal, he gets the Vikings to bring him on board for a fearsome wide receiver corps that makes you pick your poison between the twenties and in the redzone.

3. Charles Demmings Turns into a Starting CB

Predictor: Josh Frey

The Vikings brought in James Pierre as a free agent with upside, but the athletic ability of Charles Demmings shouldn’t be overlooked. He is a great football player with the ability to find the football in coverage. With a little development over the summer, he could become a starting cornerback alongside Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers .

4. Tyron Ingram-Dawkins Starts DT; Caleb Banks Does Not

Predictor: Sean Borman

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will start for Caleb Banks to begin the season. This is not an injury statement but a development one; it gives Banks a little team to watch and shows how Flores would like the position played.

5. Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange Easily Win Starting DT Jobs

Predictor: Brevan Bane

Caleb Banks and Big Citrus will both win starting jobs during camp. Two top draft picks winning starting jobs may not sound crazy, but both immediately getting starting roles over solid depth players like Levi Drake Rodriguez and Elijah Williams isn’t guaranteed. Van Ginkel-Redmond-Orange-Banks-Turner could be an absolute force to be reckoned with on the defensive front in 2026.

6. The Trades Are Not Done

Predictor: Kyle Joudry

The bold prediction is that the Vikings’ trading isn’t done. Someone else gets moved. Maybe it’s Ivan Pace Jr. , Walter Rouse , or someone else. But a deal gets done involving a currently rostered player getting traded.

7. Six Rookies Start Week 1

Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi

J.J. McCarthy and Max Bredeson during the Rose Bowl semifinal against Alabama. vikings predictions. — Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy stands alongside tight end Max Bredeson during first-half action against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl, with Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena capturing a high-stakes moment as Michigan pushed toward a national title appearance. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

There are a lot of positions up for grabs on the roster, and I liked what Rob Brzezinski and the coaching staff did in the draft. So I’m betting that Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, Domonique Orange, Jakobe Thomas , Max Bredeson, and Gavin Gerhardt will prove themselves during training camp and be early contributors.

8. A New Starting Safety Not Yet on the Roster

Predictor: Ali Siddiqui

The Vikings will sign a safety in August to replace the retired Harrison Smith .

9. J.J. McCarthy Looks Great, Turns into Hot Trade Commodity

My bold prediction is that J.J. McCarthy actually makes legitimate strides in camp and preseason and becomes a hot trade candidate. Murray wins the job, but McCarthy changes his perception and wins the clear QB2 job over Wentz.

Predictor: Cole Smith

10. Vikings Add Leonard Floyd (OLB) and a Former 49ers WR

Predictor: Dustin Baker

Leonard Floyd reacts after an interception during a Falcons game. vikings predictions. — Atlanta Falcons defensive end Leonard Floyd reacts after a key interception during second-half action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta capturing a momentum-shifting moment against the Buffalo Bills as Floyd celebrated the defensive play amid a competitive regular-season environment. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Leonard Floyd was on the 2021 Super Bowl team with Kevin O’Connell when the Los Angeles Rams took down the Cincinnati Bengals . O’Connell dials up Floyd for the vacant OLB3 spot. And between Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel , or Brandon Aiyuk — one is the Week 1 WR3 for the Vikings.

11. Safety Jay Ward Dominates

Predictor: Adam New

Racey McMath tackled by Jay Ward and Kalon Barnes during a preseason game — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Racey McMath is brought down by Minnesota Vikings defenders Jay Ward and Kalon Barnes at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Aug. 19, 2023, in Minneapolis highlighting a preseason clash featuring depth players fighting for roster roles and defensive positioning during an active evaluation period for both teams. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY NETWORK

Jay Ward shines during the preseason and becomes the Vikings’ best safety over the course of the 2026 season.

t12. Jakobe Thomas Earns a Starting Job

Predictor: Janik Eckardt

At safety, it’ll be 3rd-Rounder Jakobe Thomas in the starting role, not a potentially returning Harrison Smith or more experienced Theo Jackson and Jay Ward. Brian Flores hand-picked his new safety.

t12. Jakobe Thomas Starts a Safety despite Harrison Smith Back for Year No. 15

Predictor: Ted Schwerzler

The Vikings get a return from Harrison Smith, but Jakobe Thomas still starts anyway. The rookie winds up taking a spot from either Jay Ward or Theo Jackson.