The Main Winners of the Vikings’ Offseason

VikingsTerritory chronicled the main losers from the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason last month; now, it’s time to look at the bright side and identify the winners. You can read about the losers here.

While the purple team didn’t quite go on a spending spree like the 2024 and 2025 offseasons, a handful of clear offseason winners still emerged. Players are ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = player who won the offseason the most).

Dallas Turner Headlines the Summer Momentum List

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins participates in drills at the NFL Combine. Vikings offseason winners — Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins moved through position drills at Lucas Oil Stadium while scouts closely evaluated his athletic profile and interior-line upside. On February 27, 2025, in Indianapolis, Ingram-Dawkins participated in the NFL Combine as draft prospects worked through testing and field work before team meetings shaped the spring process. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL

When the Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard during the draft, it created an opening for another outside linebacker to see playing time in 2026, with most fans assuming the club would draft one or sign a veteran free agent. Minnesota ended up picking Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, who was listed as an inside linebacker on most draftboards while signing no major EDGEs from free agency.

Fast forward to OTAs and minicamp, and Ingram-Dawkins evidently plans to switch positions from DT to OLB, or at least be deployed in a hybrid capacity. If the experiment works, he can snatch more snaps throughout the regular season and become an instrumental defender for defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

The Vikings don’t need to sign Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney, or Leonard Floyd if Ingram-Dawkins is the real deal at OLB.

4. Brian Flores | DC

If Flores fully expected to earn a heading coach job in January or February, then, of course, he didn’t win the offseason. Yet, as Flores’s lawsuit against the NFL continues to tunnel through the legal system, he probably knows a head coaching gig is a long shot.

So, what happened for Flores in the offseason? Only the Vikings’ most defensive draft in franchise history: Minnesota drafted four defensive players in the first three rounds. That marked the most defensive players the team has ever selected in Rounds 1-3 of a single draft.

Before the start of Round 4, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski handed these rookies to Flores:

Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Jake Golday | LB, Cincinnati
Domonique Orange | DT, Iowa State
Jakobe Thomas | S, Miami

New toys. Theoretically, all of those could’ve been offensive players. They were not.

3. Justin Jefferson | WR

Jefferson notched 1,048 receiving yards in 2025, with 2 touchdowns. Is that good? Absolutely. Is that good for Jefferson? Absolutely not.

The 27-year-old averages over 1,500 receiving yards over 17 games, so the 1,048 yards last year felt like a letdown and a downturn. Minnesota’s quarterbacks struggled, cycling through J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Jefferson experienced no stability, and three passers showcased their limitations.

How did the Vikings respond? By signing Kyler Murray in March, a man who does not have major issues distributing the football to premium playmakers. If the Vikings’ main goal this offseason was to keep Jefferson happy, signing Murray was the best realistic option.

Justin Jefferson warms up before a Vikings game against the Lions. Vikings offseason winners — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson warmed up at U.S. Bank Stadium before a divisional matchup with the Detroit Lions, drawing attention during pregame routines. On October 20, 2024, in Minneapolis, Jefferson prepared for another NFC North test as Minnesota readied its offense against Detroit in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

They nabbed Murray for $1.3 million.

Jefferson also has the advantage of fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings joining the depth chart as the WR3. Jennings is the most promising Vikings WR3 addition in decades and should free up defenders for Jefferson to further cook. If opposing defenses prefer to double-team Jefferson, they must deal with Jordan Addison and Jennings.

2. Blake Brandel | C

Brandel saw action at center in 2025 when Ryan Kelly missed nine games due to concussions. He improved each week, so much so that head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips want to see more. Minnesota could’ve signed about four decent centers in free agency or drafted four in the first few rounds of the draft. It did nothing. Brandel is their man.

Usually, Brandel is in line for jack-of-all-trades duty entering a regular season. He’s that versatile and is suddenly one of the longest-tenured Vikings on the roster. This go-around, Minnesota decided he has the chops to be a starting center.

It’s also worth noting that Brandel’s contract expires at the end of the regular season.

1. Dallas Turner | OLB

Drumroll: After patiently waiting behind Andrew Van Ginkel and the aforementioned Greenard for two seasons, Turner has climbed the depth chart to achieve the role of an undisputed starter. There is no one else on the Vikings’ roster who can limit Turner’s snaps, as was the case in 2024 and 2025.

Dallas Turner celebrates after a play against the Falcons. Vikings offseason winners — Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner celebrated after a play at U.S. Bank Stadium as the defense looked for early momentum against the Atlanta Falcons. On September 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Turner reacted during the first half, giving Minnesota another flash from its young edge rusher in a home matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded the whole kitchen pantry to nab Turner in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft; now it’s time for him to strut his stuff. Turner has played well in his first two seasons, but it always felt abbreviated because folks knew Van Ginkel and Turner had the advantage of depth chart placement.

Those days are over. In 2026, it’s The Dallas Turner Show.