A Trio of Bold Predictions for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings Offseason
The Minnesota Vikings are moving into a pivotal 2026. Anything less than building up a team that can run roughshod on the NFL in the upcoming regular season before then experiencing playoff success will mean that substantial changes are likely to be made.
As things stand, the roster has talent (but questions) while the coaching staff works through changes (and potential changes). There are then going to be developments relating to the salary cap and the draft picks, a team’s main resources for acquiring new talent. How are things going to work out? Consider some guesses.
The Minnesota Vikings: Three Bold Predictions for 2026
No. 1 Prediction:
The Vikings Have $20 Million in Open Cap Space by the New League Year
An important disclaimer: Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seldom does all of his money moves at once. He’ll need to do a certain amount so that Minnesota is cap compliant (obviously), but the top executive will save some contract shuffling for the summer months.
That being said, the Vikings will have a minimum of $20 million in cap space by March 11th.
The number at Over the Cap puts the Vikings at roughly $49 million in cap debt. Some of that deficit is going to get cleared up through carryover cash. An unexpectedly robust budget for 2026 — the league wide salary cap ceiling — could help, as well.
Afterwards, Minnesota will pull almost every lever available to get the money figured out: cuts, trades, extensions, restructures, and so on. There will be enough cap room to get frisky in free agency, signing at least one major talent.
No. 2 Prediction:
The Vikings Dip into the Trade Market for a Quarterback
The 26-year-old Justin Fields is my guess.
He’s a former high pick who has tremendous size and athleticism. After not doing particularly well with the Bears, Fields has been a Steeler and Jet. Both of those stops involved starting before being put on the bench.
In Minnesota, Mr. Fields would be leaned on to push J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings want the No. 10 pick from 2024 to win the job but can no longer assume that the Michigan man will become a franchise passer. Bring in the Ohio State alumnus to compete.
Other passers to note: Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Jameis Winston, and Russell Wilson.
No. 3 Prediction:
The Vikings Opt for an Off-Ball Linebacker or Safety in the 1st Round of the Draft
Put me down for linebacker.
Very soon, Blake Cashman is going to hit his 30th birthday. He’s moving into his final year under contract and has had injuries recently. Minnesota must invest at off-ball linebacker. Might Sonny Styles be an option?
Eric Wilson had a tremendous season but appears to be too pricey. Ivan Pace Jr. looks likely to be traded. There are then the young linebackers — Kobe King and Austin Keys — who got shown the door during the season.
Don’t be surprised if No. 18, the 1st-Round selection for the Minnesota Vikings, goes toward a linebacker who can shutdown the run while running with the league’s top tight ends in pass coverage.
