4 Offseason Moves That Could Haunt the Vikings

By now, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 offseason is in the books, with training camp beginning on August 1st and the regular season six weeks after that. While the club has fired up some encouraging transactions, such as signing quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, Minnesota may regret a handful of offseason decisions.

Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top possible regret), here’s the list of items that could age poorly.

Vikings Bet Heavily on Youth and Internal Development

Cade Mays runs onto the field before a Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium. Vikings offseason moves — Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays runs onto the field before a home game at Bank of America Stadium. The pregame moment occurred on Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte as Mays prepared for regular-season action and continued his role along Carolina’s offensive line during the closing weeks of the campaign. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

4. Ignoring Veteran Centers in Free Agency

The Vikings had opportunities to address their center position more aggressively. They could have pursued free agents like Cade Mays, Elgton Jenkins, Lloyd Cushenberry, Luke Fortner, or Tyler Biadasz. Alternatively, they could have drafted a center such as Jake Slaughter, Connor Lew, Sam Hecht, or Logan Jones.

Instead, they chose to retain Blake Brandel as their primary center, a decision that accepts intrinsic risk.

While Minnesota did draft Cincinnati center Gavin Gerhardt in the 7th Round, hoping he might develop, relying on a 7th-Rounder for an immediate impact is ill-advised, particularly for a team focused on stabilizing the quarterback position and maintaining offensive momentum.

If Brandel performs well, the Vikings’ decision will appear shrewd and patient. However, if he struggles, this one will undoubtedly become an offseason choice that fans quickly criticize, given the available alternatives. Ultimately, they opted to trust their internal solution.

3. Passing on All the Draft’s Best RBs

In free agency, the Vikings said no thanks to halfbacks like Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker II — presumably too expensive. Instead, they drafted Demond Claiborne from Wake Forest in Round 5 and re-upped with Aaron Jones at a reduced price.

During the draft, Minnesota passed on these rookie tailbacks:

Kaelon Black | R3, San Francisco 49ers
Jonah Coleman | R4, Denver Broncos
Mike Washington Jr. | R4, Las Vegas Raiders
Emmett Johnson | R5, Kansas City Chiefs
Nicholas Singleton | R5, Tennessee Titans
Adam Randall | R5, Baltimore Ravens

For a franchise that has not connected on a rookie RB draft pick since Dalvin Cook in 2017 and Alexander Mattison (to an extent) in 2019, one might’ve expected more emphasis on a new runner. No luck.

For youth at running back, Claiborne and his 4.37 speed is the one big hope.

2. Trading Jonathan Greenard

The Vikings might be just fine at outside linebacker with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Rookie defender Jake Golday could even play some hybrid ILB-OLB snaps. Early summer clues also hinted that defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins could flip to OLB from time to time in 2026.

Jonathan Greenard parties after a defensive stop during a Vikings game against the Arizona Cardinals. Vikings offseason moves — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard celebrates after a defensive stop as teammates gather around him at U.S. Bank Stadium. The play occurred on Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis during a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as Brian Flores’ defense controlled momentum in the second quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Regardless, most Super Bowl contenders don’t trade their best defensive players, and they for damn sure don’t trade quality EDGE rushers to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Minnesota did that anyway, refusing to accommodate Greenard’s asking price of $25 million per season over the next four years. The pressure is now squarely on Turner.

1. A Team That Has Drafted Poorly since 2022 Betting It All on 1st-Round DT with a Bad Foot

The departures of DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March were no surprise. Allen signed with Cincinnati, Hargrave with Green Bay, and Minnesota signaled a transition towards a younger strategy.

Simply promoting Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins was never going to be the complete solution. While these players remain valuable, the Vikings clearly viewed them as depth rather than primary starters.

The perspective later directly informed their draft strategy. Minnesota dedicated two of its first three picks to Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, clearly outlining the front office’s vision for rebuilding the defensive line’s interior. The message was straightforward: out with the old and in with the new.

Caleb Banks talks to reporters during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings offseason moves — Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks with reporters during a media session at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center. The interview took place on Feb. 25, 2026, in Indianapolis as Banks discussed his preparation and draft outlook before NFL evaluators and team personnel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While Allen and Hargrave offered experience, their projected 2025 performance wasn’t compelling enough. The Vikings evidently opted to construct their future defensive line around emerging talent rather than established, albeit mediocre, veterans.

So, the pressure is now on the rookies. Rapid development from Banks and Orange will validate the move. On the other hand, if the defensive line underperforms, questions will inevitably arise about whether parting with two proven veterans was premature.

The problem with Banks? Well, he’s suffered two separate foot injuries since the summer of 2025, including a broken foot at the 2026 NFL Combine. Big men with foot injuries tend to have problematic recoveries, though that’s not a guarantee.

The Vikings have not drafted well over the last four years, and while Banks has All-Pro upside when healthy, it’s a little weird that one of the NFL’s worst-drafting teams since 2022 would take the plunge on a boom-or-bust rookie.

Hopefully, for the Vikings’ sake, Banks, as No. 1 on this list, will age poorly.