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5 Vikings Who May See that Time Is Running Out
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- 5 Vikings Who May See that Time Is Running Out
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of training camp and players are battling it out for a place on the roster. For five Vikings who are trying to keep their place on the roster time could be running out.
5 Vikings Whose Time Is Running Out
I am looking at players who were on the roster last season (or longer) and are in danger of losing their place. Whether that be to a new signing, a rookie, or a player who has been around a while and developed to surpass them. I believe five candidates are in real danger.
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Ivan Pace
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) celebrates after returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct 20, 2024. Pace raises his arms in celebration following the defensive score during the NFC North matchup late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
It was three years ago that Ivan Pace somewhat surprisingly fell out of the draft and was ultimately picked up by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent. Pace not only earned a place on the roster as a rookie but also became a starter on Brian Flores' defense.
However, poor positioning, failing to finish tackles, and a lack of reliability in coverage have seen him fall out of favor as his defensive snaps have reduced each year. He played 706 defensive snaps in 2023 and 323 in 2025 (it would have been lower than that if Blake Cashman didn't miss four games through injury).
Jamal Adams has been signed to provide direct competition to Pace for one of the team's final roster spots. Adams has the edge on experience and versatility.
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Dwight McGlothern
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (47) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Kendall Milton (36) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports.
Dwight McGlothern has been a star of the last two training camps since being picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He found his way onto the roster for the last two seasons but it only translated to a combined 50 defensive snaps. You have to wonder if the breakthrough for McGlothern is ever coming.
— READ MORE: Vikings Rookie Keeps Upping the Ante at Training Camp — — READ MORE: Young Vikings Trenchman Breaks Through with Starters —
Senior cornerbacks Byron Murphy , James Pierre , and Isaiah Rodgers will take up three roster spots. Plus, fifth-round rookie Charles Demmings has been turning heads and looks locked in for the fourth spot. It leaves McGlothern battling with the likes of Zemaiah Vaughn and Kahlef Hailassie for the fifth and probably final CB place. Early signs point towards Vaughn as the favorite.
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Zavier Scott
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Vikings carried just three running backs plus fullback CJ Ham last season. Zavier Scott did well to come from nowhere to claim a roster place last year.
He was an undrafted rookie in 2023 who was picked by the Indianapolis Colts . Scott found a new home in Minnesota in 2024 and largely due to his pass-catching ability, impressed enough during the 2025 preseason to secure a roster spot.
Ham has retired and been replaced by Max Bredeson as the fullback. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason remain the top two backs in Minnesota. If the Vikings plan to just have a three backs again this season then Scott will have to battle it out with the speedy sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne for the RB3 role
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Max Brosmer
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer drops back to pass during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. The rookie signal-caller continued gaining valuable game experience while Minnesota evaluated its quarterback depth late in the 2025 season. Nov. 30, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images.
Max Brosmer completed the dream of being a Minnesota Golden Gophers QB to starting an NFL game for the Vikings. In fact, he started two games and even led the team to a win over the Lions in Week 17. Truthfully, the undrafted rookie QB didn't do much to contribute to the win, only attempting 16 passes with a 56.3% completion percentage.
Brosmer made history for how bad his stat line was for a winning QB. The best praise you can give him is that he managed not to lose the game, but he was clearly not good enough. Assuming Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy are both sticking around and with Carson Wentz also in the mix. It is the practice squad at best for Brosmer.
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Michael Jurgens
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) holds the ball at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 draft, Michael Jurgens got the opportunity to play in his second season thanks to the Vikings' offensive line being obliterated by injuries. Jurgens got to start in three games at center and did okay apart from committing five penalties. A more penalties-than-games ratio is not good. The fact that Minnesota has opted to go with a guy who had never snapped a ball before last season in Blake Brandel as the new center tells me that there wasn't a belief in Jurgens being ready.
Add in the fact that another rookie – Gavin Gerhardt – was drafted in the seventh round this year it should leave Jurgens looking over his shoulder. Usually, the younger new draft pick would seem the obvious choice but the Vikings are in the strange situation where one player was picked by the former general manager while the other was selected before the current GM arrived. The preseason likely determines the backup center.
