The Vikings Details and Trends to Know Ahead of Pivotal Decisions in 2026
There are some Vikings details to make note of ahead of what appears to be a vitally important 2026.
Since 2022, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and HC Kevin O’Connell have established some well-worn paths. How much do things change now that the GM has been fired? A lot of the same leadership structure is in place, but Rob Brzezinski is leading things now.
Assessing the past doesn’t offer ironclad certainty about future decisions, but there’s still some merit in exploring recent history. How are the Vikings going to handle the chaos of free agency and the draft?
Vikings Details and Trends to Consider in 2026
If you see a draft prospect who is young, bump him up your board a touch. At least in the recent past, Minnesota opted for youth in the opening round. Consider recent picks and the age upon getting chosen:
- 2022: Lewis Cine, 22
- 2023: Jordan Addison, 21
- 2024: J.J. McCarthy, 21
- 2024: Dallas Turner, 21
- 2025: Donovan Jackson, 22
Rallying around just five draft picks isn’t the largest sample size. Note, as well, that draft selections later on in the previous drafts (think 2nd Round onward) have involved choosing older players. But then there’s at least some reason to think that youth was a factor when sinking Minnesota’s most promising pick into a new player.
Another notable trend was Minnesota’s proclivity for giving high-end but underperforming talent a second chance.
Consider some examples: DT Ross Blacklock, WR Jalen Reagor, CB Jeff Okudah, WR/PR Rondale Moore, QB Sam Darnold, DE/DT Jerry Tillery, LB Jamin Davis, WR N’Keal Harry, EDGE Marcus Davenport, CB Joejuan Williams, and likely several others. Seeing that continue in the same way remains to be seen, but the coaching continuity gives it a chance.
Again, a takeaway: as you look at free agency lists, bump up the free agents who were chosen high, who are still young, who fit a position of need, and who could be had for cheap. Many (all?) teams pursue the strategy, but it was a notable effort under Adofo-Mensah, even going so far as to trade for players who fit the criteria.
Speaking of gambles, small ones got made after the draft. The UDFA adds often were for be players who secured meaty guarantees. Is that going to continue? Do edge rushers still get the same financial priority?
As for trades, expect one or two to occur. Moving out a player or two makes sense given that the finances need a pressure release and the roster needs to improve.
However, do note that in-draft trades have cooled off in recent years. The 2024 NFL Draft got a ton of headlines due to the moves for McCarthy and Turner, but the overall amount of trades wasn’t high, at least not when held up against the half dozen from 2022. Ditto for the trading in ’25.
When it comes to saving money, void years appear likely to get baked into deals.
Under Adofo-Mensah, there was seldom a huge pile of cap space to then go on a spending spree. His habit was to do things slowly and methodically, opening the room he needed to in order to work through his checklist.
In other words, the extensions that can wait for July and August were allowed to wait until July and August. He would do deals in March that were most important for March. Sounds simple, but something to note.
Will that strategy continue?
The observant writer or fan will surely have other tidbits of wisdom that could be discussed, so don’t take the above discussion as exhaustive. Rather, keep the ideas discussed here in mind — alongside whatever other insights exist out there — as you mentally prepare for what’s to come.
Check out a different piece on PurplePTSD for the important dates for the offseason.
