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Sunday Could Be the Final Ride for These Vikings Players
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- Sunday Could Be the Final Ride for These Vikings Players
Brad Rempel
The Minnesota Vikings will end their season on Sunday, taking on the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. They're expected to win by a touchdown or so, as the Packers will likely rest most of their starters. Along the way, a handful of Vikings will play their final game with the franchise.
Sunday's finale may double as an audition tape: Chandler's role, Nailor's price tag, Pace's next deal, and whether Smith calls it a career.
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The list will grow to many by the time 2026 free agency hits, but for now, these four notable players are probably facing their last hurrah.
Four Vikings Who Could Be Doing Their Last Dance on Sunday
Sunday could be the last ride for these men,
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler reacts with center Garrett Bradbury after a second-quarter touchdown run on Nov 12, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The moment capped a strong offensive sequence against the New Orleans Saints, highlighting effective blocking up front and Chandler's burst through the interior of the defense. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
1. Ty Chandler | RB
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Chandler in 2022, the now-infamous class that produced no starting-caliber players besides arguably Jalen Nailor . Chandler has flashes in spots with the Vikings, mainly near the end of the 2023 campaign when he filled in for Alexander Mattison — and performed much better.
He spent most of this season on injured reserve, only resurrecting last week from the Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions .
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Chandler should get extra work this weekend with Aaron Jones injured, but in reality, it's probably his final game with the Vikings.
Somewhat mind-bogglingly, Chandler will turn 28 this offseason. He was an old rookie back in 2022.
2. Jalen Nailor | WR
Speaking of Nailor, this could be his last ride, too.
Nailor has created chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, enough to turn heads in approximately three games. He also disappears. For example, he hasn't caught a pass in the last two games after a monster showing in Week 15.
Adofo-Mensah chatted with Paul Allen, the Voice of the Vikings, last week, and when Allen asked about Nailor's future, the executive discussed his team's "economic realities" and budget. That lingo is usually reserved for players who are on their way out.
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There will remain a chance that Nailor could accept a small-ish contract and stay in Minnesota as McCarthy's wingman. One must wonder, though, why would he do it if he could maximize his value in free agency?
Our Kyle Joudry noted on Adofo-Mensah's comments, "In pointing toward the upcoming economic situation, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is laying the groundwork for a divorce. Minnesota already has a ton of money invested in Justin Jefferson . So, too, is T.J. Hockenson getting paid high-end money."
" Jordan Addison will be moving into an offseason where he's eligible for an extension. Oh, and Aaron Jones — the RB1 who may need to shuffle towards being a high-end 3rd-down running back — is operating under an above-average deal. In other words, the already snug budget is spending plenty on pass catchers. Making room for Jalen Nailor would appear to be quite difficult."
3. Ivan Pace Jr. | LB
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Pace Jr. has started 27 games in Minnesota since the start of 2023. Pretty impressive for an undrafted free agent, right? Absolutely — but the context is important.
The Vikings benched Pace Jr. this season in favor of seasoned veteran Eric Wilson , and now he only sees action in spots. Pace Jr. will be a restricted free agent this offseason. It may not be a priority for the Vikings to keep him.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. celebrates after recording a second-quarter sack on Nov 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Pace's reaction energized the defense during a strong first half against the Jaguars, underscoring Minnesota's aggressive pass rush and his growing role as an impact defender in the middle of the unit. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Meanwhile, Pace Jr. is almost guaranteed to have the personal mindset that he can start somewhere else, so why would he be eager to stick around in 2026 with the team that put him on the bench? Minnesota controls the leverage in Pace Jr.'s contract situation, but there's a decent chance that the franchise parts ways.
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At the peak of his powers in 2023, Pace Jr. was quite dependable, logging a 77.1 Pro Football Focus grade as a rookie. That mark dipped to a lowly 42.3 this season. Not ideal.
4. Harrison Smith | S
Smith opened the year moving in silence, dealing with a mysterious ailment that floated around as anything from a hernia to hemorrhoids. The results showed. By Weeks 10 and 12, the Vikings' mainstay posted Pro Football Focus grades south of 60.0, a stretch that felt unfamiliar for a player of his stature.
Then the switch flipped. A 90.0 grade against Washington . Later, a 79.7 at home versus Detroit. The burst, the angles, the timing — all seemed to be back.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith lines up on defense during a road matchup on Sep 14, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The veteran defender remained a central presence in the secondary against the Eagles, handling coverage responsibilities and communicating assignments as Minnesota navigated a challenging early-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Early in the season, the tape hinted at a career winding down. Lately, it's told a different story. Smith looks like a legitimate starting safety again, one who still tilts plays and cleans up teammates' mistakes. If he wants another run in 2026, the timing couldn't be better. The juice is still there. He's proven it in the last month.
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On the whole, though, it's probably more likely that a soon-to-be 37-year-old safety calls her quits. Fans should treat this Sunday like his last game — just in case.
Smith ranks fifth all time in Vikings history in games played. If he returns in 2026, he'd be No. 3 by season's end.
