The Minnesota Vikings’ final preseason game starts in a few hours, but that doesn’t mean all questions about the upcoming season are answered. Numerous mysteries remain around the 2026 club, and VikesNow is here to unpack them.
Ranked in no particular order, these are the biggest questions facing the Vikings, with the regular season about two weeks away.
Where the Vikings Still Need Answers
1. Will Tai Felton or Myles Price Blossom as a Pass Catcher?
The Vikings have Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson to do the heavy lifting. But life would just be better if Felton or Price shapeshifted into a dependable WR4. Why not both?
2. Does Jordan Addison Finally Become a 1,000-Yard Receiver?
Addison has flirted with this benchmark before, and the talent is undeniable. If his targets rise and he doesn’t get into off-the-field trouble – – he does that – – 1,000 yards feel attainable.
3. Does Will Fries Bounce Back?
Fries didn’t play poorly last year, but he wasn’t worth his monster 2025 contract. He needs to be worth five years and $87 million. Can he do it?
4. Is the Vikings’ Cornerback Room Actually Good Enough?
Byron Murphy Jr. provides stability, but Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, and Charles Demmings must prove this group can survive injuries and stronger passing attacks.
Most Vikings fans aren’t worried about this group, but compared to other playoff-contending teams, this section of the depth chart is skimpy – – unless Pierre or Demmings ball out.
5. Does Kevin O’Connell Get on the Hot Seat?
O’Connell has built goodwill, but expectations are no longer modest. Another disappointing season, especially with unresolved quarterback questions, could create internal scrutiny around his long-term standing.
6. Is Andrew Van Ginkel’s Contract Extended?
Van Ginkel has become too important to Brian Flores’s defense to ignore. Minnesota must decide whether to reward his production now or risk letting contract uncertainty become an offseason storyline. He’s 31 – – a tricky age to assess the future.
7. How Does the Blake Brandel Experiment Go at Center?
Brandel’s move to center is one of Minnesota’s boldest lineup decisions. If it translates, the Vikings may have solved a position that has irritated fans since the day they realized Garrett Bradbury would not turn into a total stud.
8. Does Nolan Teasley Make Any Trades?
Teasley’s predecessor traded like a fiend. The former Seattle Seahawks executive inherited a roster with several obvious pressure points, so standing pat would be surprising. A veteran cornerback, EDGE, or quarterback could still arrive via trade.
9. Is Demond Claiborne a Real RB1-RB2 Type?
Claiborne has the explosiveness to command a large role in the offense, but the Vikings already have two established backs ahead of him. His rookie season should show whether he is depth or more. Never forget: Minnesota desperately needs dynamic RB youth in the pipeline. It could be Claiborne.
10. Can Brian Flores Keep the Vikings’ Defense Among the NFL’s Elite?
Flores always manufactures aggressive, disruptive defenses, but maintaining elite results gets harder every year. Injuries and pass-rush consistency will determine whether Minnesota remains among the league’s best. If so, the Vikings will return to the postseason.
11. Is T.J. Hockenson Back as a Productive Pass-Catching TE1?
Hockenson remains one of the NFL’s better receiving tight ends when healthy, but that aspect of his game has vanished a bit. The Vikings need that version of Hockenson back.
12. Will the Vikings Actually Run the Ball More?
O’Connell has talked about playcalling balance for years, yet passing still reigns supreme for him on Sundays. With Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Claiborne, 2026 may finally reveal whether O’Connell commits to the running game. Fingers crossed.
13. What Happens to J.J. McCarthy?
McCarthy’s future is suddenly one of Minnesota’s strangest storylines. Mike Florio thinks he could be waived on Sunday. Others say a trade is incoming. He also still has the upside to be a franchise quarterback.
This one will engulf the Vikings’ news cycle.
14. Can Minnesota Seriously Challenge for the NFC North Crown?
The NFC North is unforgiving, but Minnesota has enough talent to contend. Kyler Murray’s efficiency will decide whether the Vikings merely compete or seriously threaten the world.
15. Will Harrison Smith Return before 2026 Is Over?
Smith’s absence leaves Minnesota without one of its defining players. If he returns late, the Vikings gain leadership and versatility; if not, 2025 was the final chapter.
Why didn’t Smith expressly retire with Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham? The door remains open.
16. Can Christian Darrisaw Play 17 Games?
Darrisaw is one of the Vikings’ most valuable players, but his injury resume is front and center. A full 17-game season would transform the offensive line and give Murray premium blind-side protection.
At his price point, the Vikings need Darrisaw to resume his stellar career – – all the way healthy.
17. What Impact Do Rookies Have?
The 2026 rookie class can’t have obvious busts. Not allowed. The Vikings must put Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, Domonique Orange, and Charles Demmings on the field to erase some of the recent draft sins.
18. Is Dallas Turner Fully Ready to Cook?
Jonathan Greenard now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s time for Turner to utterly erupt.
19. Does Kyler Murray Look Like the Vikings’ Long-Term QB1?
There’s just no way the Vikings will let Murray leave in 2027 free agency if he balls out in 2026 – – not after the Sam Darnold debacle. The question remains: will Murray ball out?
20. Will the Vikings Return to the Postseason?
Minnesota tends to make the playoff tournament every other year, meaning they’re due in 2026. Does that pattern hold?
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VikesNow Verdict: The Vikings have enough talent to contend in 2026, but quarterback play, cornerback depth, offensive line health, and several young players will determine their ceiling. Answers are on the way.
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