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The Vikings Need One Man Back at His Best in 2026
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- The Vikings Need One Man Back at His Best in 2026
Jeff Hanisch
The Minnesota Vikings came into the 2025 season with high hopes for their revamped offensive line . The unit was a major part of the team's downfall in 2024, but heavy investment didn't solve the problem, with a host of injuries a major factor.
Christian Darrisaw 's Bounce-Back Season Looms Large For The Vikings
The supposed starting five on the Vikings OL played together only twice during the 2025 season — Weeks 12 and 14. In many games, multiple starters were absent due to injuries that decimated the Vikings' OL. Only newly acquired free agent signing Will Fries played in all 17 games. Brian O'Neill and rookie guard Donovan Jackson missed a handful of games, while multiple concussions kept Ryan Kelly out for nine games, leaving his future in doubt.
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Then there was Christian Darrisaw.
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Minnesota 's cornerstone left tackle has always played at a high level since being drafted by the team 23rd overall back in 2021. At his best, he was talked of in the same vein as the best left tackles in the league. Darrisaw looked like a shadow of that player when he eventually returned from injury during the 2025 season, only to finish the year back on Injured Reserve , having never fully recovered from the original knee injury.
Darrisaw's 2025 Woes and 2026 Projection
Darrisaw hadn't fully recovered from the ACL & MCL tears that ended his 2024 season by the start of the 2025 season. He didn't return to the lineup until Week 3, and as it turned out, that may have been too soon. The Vikings LT never looked right and was on the injury report every week due to a knee injury he apparently had recovered from. In Week 13, he failed the pregame fitness test, and after playing in Week 14, the Vikings shut his season down, with the campaign a lost cause by that point.
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) celebrate a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
In 2025, Darrisaw played 504 snaps on offense across 10 games, where he drew 8 penalty flags and allowed 18 pressures and two sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 65.9, with a 71.8 pass blocking grade and a 69.8 run blocking grade.
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These aren't bad numbers, but they aren't what we are used to from Darrisaw. He clearly wasn't at 100% when he came back, so now the question is, will he be for the 2026 season? It was a devastating injury, and the Vikings will hope the extended rest will give him the time to recover, but when an injury lingers like this, it becomes a major concern.
Darrisaw plays at a premium position and was one of the best in the league pre-injury, which is why Minnesota gave him a four-year contract extension worth up to $113 million.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) takes part in a team practice at The Grove in Watford, United Kingdom, on Oct 4, 2024. The overseas workout came as Minnesota prepared for its international matchup, with Darrisaw sharpening his readiness alongside teammates in the unique setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
At his best, he is worth every cent of that contract, and if the Vikings are going to get the improved OL play that they desire and desperately need, particularly if JJ McCarthy remains as the starting quarterback. Darrisaw needs to lead the group and be back at his best, dishing out pancakes with consummate ease. That's what we are looking for in 2026.
The state of his knee will be something to monitor when the players return for training camp in July.
