3 Players the Vikings need to bring back for the 2026 season
As we move closer to the next stage of the offseason, we want to ensure we have a comprehensive preview of the Vikings heading into 2026. The next stage is free agency, and it has proven to be one that the Vikings can stay active in. However, in this discussion, we will approach things differently.
In this piece, we will be discussing three players from the Vikings who need to be brought back for the 2026 season.
The Vikings' free agency will be both interesting and pivotal to their success in 2026. As they look for a new general manager after the NFL Draft, the interim role will fall on Rob Brzezinski. With not much salary cap space, it makes discussing free agency that much more of a tightrope act than before.
With that, here are three players we are focusing on ahead of free agency.
Eric Wilson , Linebacker
Eric Wilson emerged this year as a reliable presence in the Vikings defense. Bringing him back on a prove-it deal to make sure he can be a fit in the middle of Brian Flores defense seems like a no-brainer for the team. Wilson, working with Blake Cashman with a revamped defensive front, could perhaps be the winning formula this team needs to contain opposing running backs.
Andrew DePaola , Longsnapper
The longsnapper position is often overlooked on rosters but for special teams units they are the heartbeat of the unit. DePaola has proven to be arguably the best longsnapper in the NFL today, thus making him a must-sign for the team ahead of free agency.
Jalen Nailor , Wide Receiver
This will be a tougher case to make, but the uncertainty surrounds the prolonged tenure of Jordan Addison . If they decide to bring back Nailor, it has to mean something for Addison, just like if they decide not to, it means they are still willing to put up with the potential for off-field situations. Regardless, Nailor is getting paid because he has shown promise in limited use so he should be paid either with the Vikings or someone else.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: 3 Vikings the team has to bring back for 2026
