The Complete Summer Storyline Guide for the Vikings

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The Complete Summer Storyline Guide for the Vikings

The Complete Summer Storyline Guide for the Vikings — Brad Rempel

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sat, May 23, 2026 ·

8 min read

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Every year, near the end of May, Vikings Territory publishes a comprehensive list of Minnesota Vikings -themed storylines on the horizon for the summer. This is the 2026 edition,

Minnesota 's summer checklist is loaded with quarterback drama, roster battles, rookie intrigue, and contract questions.

From quarterback battles to general manager searches , here's everything you need to know, with organized team activities (OTAs) kicking off next week.

Training Camp Will Settle Several Lingering Vikings Mysteries

Every Vikings storyline heading into the summer — all of them.

Matt Daniels watches warmups before a Vikings preseason game against the Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings storylines — Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels surveys the field before a preseason matchup against the New England Patriots on Aug. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Daniels entered the 2025 campaign tasked with stabilizing Minnesota's special teams operation while overseeing a unit featuring multiple new contributors and roster hopefuls. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

37. Who's the Holder on Kicks with Ryan Wright Gone?

Wright held all field goals and extra points for Will Reichard in 2024 and 2025. They had it down to a science. Wright left for the New Orleans Saints in March. So, who will hold kicks? Veteran punter Johnny Hekker ? Rookie Brett Thorson, who did no holding at the University of Georgia ?

If you've come to enjoy Reichard's deadliness as a kicker, this matters.

36. Is Myles Price Used on Offense?

Last month, some social media footage teased Price as a playmaker on offense — as in, he was working on his craft during the offseason. Will that mean anything?

35. Is Gavin Gerhardt a Late-Round Gem or Just a 7th-Rounder?

The Vikings said "no thanks" in the draft to a new center like Logan Jones, Jake Slaughter, Sam Hecht, and Connor Lew — the draft's "Big Four" at the position. They claimed that they scouted Gerhardt as "their guy" all along. Does that mean he could … start at center?

34. Will WR Dillon Bell Make the 53-Man Roster?

Every year, Minnesota onboards a handsome crop of UDFAs, and at least one man turns heads as a guy who can possibly break through to the regular season roster. This time, at wide receiver, that's Dillon Bell from Georgia.

33. Can Dwight McGlothern or Zemaiah Vaughn Make the Regular Season Roster?

Speaking of UDFAs, McGlothern and Vaughn feature the same pizazz and upside as Bell. Will either be a part of the 2026 defense?

32. Is OT Walter Rouse on the Roster Bubble?

The Vikings added two new tackles this offseason: rookie Caleb Tiernan and veteran Ryan Van Demark . That might've put Rouse on notice.

31. Will Theo Jackson Make the 53-Man Roster?

Minnesota quietly benched Jackson for Jay Ward last December. If Harrison Smith returns (unretires?), Jackson could face a roster math problem.

30. Is It Worth It to Re-Sign Fabian Moreau for Depth?

Moreau secretly balled out as the Vikings' CB3 last season, and nobody cared. He's a free agent. Sign him for the veteran minimum.

29. Who's the TE3? Gavin Bartholomew or Ben Yurosek ?

Gavin Bartholomew participates in tight end drills during the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings storylines — Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew participates in drills during the NFL Combine on Feb. 27, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Bartholomew entered the pre-draft process as a developmental tight end prospect known for physicality, blocking upside, and dependable hands after a productive collegiate career at Pittsburgh. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Ex-general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Bartholomew in Round 6 in April 2025. He did not play a single snap as a rookie due to injury. Now healthy, is the TE3 job his to lose?

28. Who's the Punter — Johnny Hekker or Brett Thorson?

Hekker was the best punter in football — 10 years ago. Thorson was the best punter in college football — seven months ago. Who wins and why?

27. Will the Vikings Keep Four RBs or Cut Zavier Scott ?

These are the purple RBs:

Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Zavier Scott
Kejon Owens

Is there room for Scott?

26. Does Jordan Addison Stay Out of Trouble?

Addison has made bad headlines four times since becoming a Viking: speeding 140 MPH in 2023, drunk and asleep on a California freeway in 2024, skipping a team walkthrough overseas in London last October, and arrested for trespassing at a Florida casino in 2026.

Are we done yet?

25. Is RB Demond Claiborne a Late-Round Gem or Just a 6th-Rounder?

Fans desperately wanted Minnesota to draft a running back early, and they waited until Round 6 with Claiborne. He could be anywhere from Nyheim Hines to De'Von Achane, based on his size and style of play. What's it gonna be? Hines or Achane? Somewhere in the middle, like Jerick McKinnon ?

24. Will Tai Felton Rise — or Devolve into a "Bad Kwesi Pick?"

Adofo-Mensah picked Felton in Round 3 last year. He hardly played on offense as a rookie, which is a little weird for a 3rd-Rounder.

23. Do Rookies Get Playing Time or Stay Buried on the Depth Chart?

This stat needs repair.

22. Is Caleb Banks's Injury a Slow Burn?

Banks broke his foot at the NFL Combine. Does that mean he'll be a non-factor for most of his rookie season, or is he good to go?

21. Will Jake Golday Trend to Play Right Away?

The Athletic 's Alec Lewis wrote about Golday this week, "Close your eyes, listen to these lines, and you might even imagine Van Ginkel. He sniffs out screens like he was in the opponent's huddle, and he corrals ball carriers like the football was embedded with a tracking device. Coaches often shrug when trying to explain his exceptionalism. It's as if there's some intangible missing piece."

Will fans see those traits in 2026 or 2027?

20. Will the Vikings Sign a Free Agent OLB3?

If the Vikings want a better EDGE than Bo Richter or Tyler Batty , they have these free agents to ponder:

19. Will Domonique Orange or Levi Drake Rodriguez Get the Nod at Nose Tackle?

Orange should be ready for Week 1, but will the Vikings do the thing where they ease him just because ?

18. Is Jay Ward a Starter?

Ward took Jackson's job late in the 2025 campaign. Was that eternal?

17. Is Blake Brandel the Center for the Long Haul?

Blake Brandel lines up during the Vikings' playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams in Arizona. Vikings storylines — Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) lines up during an NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Brandel played a larger-than-expected role for Minnesota throughout the season, filling multiple offensive line positions as injuries reshaped the Vikings' protection plans. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kevin O'Connell said earlier in the offseason that Brandel was the favorite to start at center. Is he simply the new starting center and no longer a jack-of-all-trades lineman?

16. Can Will Fries Rebound?

Fries signed a $87 million deal over five years in 2025. He wasn't worth that price tag in Year No. 1 with the Vikings.

15. Are There Any Summer Contract Holdouts?

Men like Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman are due for extensions. Will they feign earaches at training camp to get new deals like T.J. Hockenson a few summers ago?

14. Will Brian O'Neill Get a Contract Extension?

O'Neill is also due for a new deal, which the Vikings will oblige. When and how much?

13. Will the Vikings Use T.J. Hockenson as a Pass-Catcher?

Hockenson's targets by season in Minnesota:

2022: 129 (MIN + DET)
2023: 127
2024: 62
2025: 66

Will he serve as the sixth offensive lineman again or return to a pass-catching threat?

12. Who's the New GM? Does He Have a Normal Role?

The Vikings will announce the GM decision before too long. Is that new guy in charge like a normal general manager, or will Minnesota have a fancy custom setup that puts the Wilfs, O'Connell, Rob Brzezinski, and the new guy equally in charge of the roster?

11. Who's the Real RB1? Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason?

This one is simple: Who takes the first handoff of 2026?

10. Will the Vikings Actually Run the Football?

The offense needs balance:

Vikings Rushing Offense,
Rush Playcall % | Rush EPA/Play,
NFL Ranking:

2025: 19th| 15th
2024: 18th| 14th
2023: 30th| 18th
2022: 30th| 18th

9. Is Kevin O'Connell on the Hot Seat?

Fansided 's Nick Villano wrote about O'Connell's hot seat this week : "Kevin O'Connell's future as a head coach hinges on his choice at the quarterback position. Right now, he has JJ McCarthy and Kyler Murray fighting for the starting position."

"The Packers had a chance to have Sam Darnold , Aaron Rodgers , or Daniel Jones last year, all quarterbacks who excelled, and one who won the Super Bowl. They went with McCarthy, and it led them to missing the playoffs. If O'Connell makes the wrong decision this season and they waste another year of Justin Jefferson 's prime, it could cost KOC his job."

8. Can Justin Jefferson Regain All-Pro Production?

Remember when the main goal in December of Vikings football was to get Jefferson across the 1,000-yard finish line for the season? Not a good look for the quarterback situation.

7. Is Christian Darrisaw 's ACL Ready to Go?

Darrisaw tore his ACL in October 2024, and it remains a central topic among Vikings-themed talkers.

6. Is Dallas Turner Ready for Bright Lights as a Starter?

A path has been cleared for Turner to start with Greenard on the Philadelphia Eagles roster. Will he be good or great?

5. Will Harrison Smith Return?

Most players who retire … usually tell the world, "I'm retiring."

Smith hasn't done that.

4. Will J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz Battle at All for QB2?

J.J. McCarthy throws a pass during a Vikings game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings storylines — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back to throw against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The first-quarter snapshot captured McCarthy operating comfortably within Minnesota's offense as the Vikings attempted to establish rhythm early during a pivotal NFC North showdown against Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Wentz played more efficiently than McCarthy in 2025, and both are in line for backup quarterback jobs on the same team in 2026.

3. Will J.J. McCarthy Humbly Accept a QB2 Job?

If Murray wins the QB1 job this summer — he probably will — will McCarthy smile and proceed? Or squawk and request a trade?

2. How Serious Is the QB Battle Between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy?

Last summer, the Vikings insisted that no one seriously challenge McCarthy for the QB1 job. This summer, the Vikings insist that Murray must battle McCarthy for the QB1 job. Can McCarthy really score the upset? Or is that a spring narrative to keep him happy?

1. Does Kyler Murray Latch On as the Vikings' Long-Term QB?

Murray averages 30 passing and rushing touchdowns every 17 starts. If he stays mostly healthy, there's a chance he could be the Vikings' QB1 for the next 5-8 seasons.

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