Entering every season, an NFL team has players with something to prove more than most, and you can consider this the edition for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings. The list contains a couple of quarterbacks, some linebackers, and an offensive lineman.
The following five men must produce commendable seasons or risk significantly altering their career trajectories.
This upcoming season is unusually crucial for Fries. Will he be the standout player he was with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, or will he simply be another average starter? After signing a lucrative contract with Minnesota last offseason, the pressure is on.
So far, he hasn’t quite justified that price tag. Fries received a score of 61.8 on Pro Football Focus in 2025—respectable, but there’s definitely room for growth. If he improves in 2026, that contract will seem more justified. If not, his future in Minnesota could be uncertain come next offseason.
At his $18 million per-season price point, his PFF grade should be at least 71.8, not 61.8.
Once upon a time, Pace Jr. was the next big thing for the Vikings, immediately earning a starter’s job as an undrafted free agent in 2023, a wildly impressive feat. He also performed wonderfully as a rookie but has since slid back. In 2025, Eric Wilson took his job, and the Vikings re-signed Wilson for two more years in March. Pace Jr. must reestablish himself in the NFL, a tall task with Wilson and Blake Cashman in front of him on the Vikings’ depth chart.
Pace Jr. will turn 26 this season, so it’s time to prove if he’s a starter or a backup. Those are the stakes. He belongs in the big leagues, though his status as a starter is straddling a cliff.
By January 2027, the Vikings should finally understand what they have in Turner. After two seasons of waiting for a larger role, the spotlight is finally on him.
The trade involving Jonathan Greenard changed the OLB landscape. Minnesota sent Greenard to Philadelphia for two 3rd-Round picks, opening up a starting position for Turner and removing the obstacles that had previously hindered him. While he had some solid snaps in past seasons, particularly during Greenard’s absences, the opportunities were inconsistent.
This time, however, there are no contingencies. Turner won’t be waiting for an injury, a shift in rotation, or a specific play call from Brian Flores. For the first time in his career, he’s entering the season with a secured starting role. If he performs well, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s bold trade-up will look rather astute.
Greenard said about Turner a few weeks ago, “He’s gonna take this big, big step. You saw him kind of do it a little bit towards the end of last season. And now this point, shoot, I said, ‘It’s time now. This is your time, this is your team, you need to go ahead and make that happen.’ So I’ll be looking real close for him, and I know it’s gonna get done because that boy a dog, too.”
The pressure on Murray is immense. His future hinges on how 2026 unfolds. If he can replicate his previous success — around 3,900 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards every 17 starts — Minnesota would have every reason to view him as their long-term quarterback. This could lead to a contract extension, solidifying his position as the Vikings’ QB1 for years to come. However, if things take a downturn, the situation changes dramatically. Murray would likely enter free agency in March, seeking his next opportunity. Teams with quarterback needs, such as the New York Jets, might see him as an appealing option. One path leads to stability and an extension; the other begins a new chapter somewhere else.
If McCarthy can outperform Murray in training camp or seize the starting job during the regular season, Minnesota’s long-term quarterback strategy will be back on track.
The Vikings drafted McCarthy to be the successor to Kirk Cousins. A breakout season in 2026 would reinforce that vision and elevate his status within the organization.
However, if things don’t go as planned, the situation could become complicated. If McCarthy fails to make a big leap in his third year while Murray secures the starting role, Minnesota may start considering trade offers next offseason.
The Vikings would still control McCarthy’s rights through 2028, so there’s no rush to move him. But if another team presents enticing draft picks and Murray appears established as QB1, a trade could become a viable option.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Vikings Player Pressure Points Come into Focus before Camp
5. Will Fries (OG)
4. Ivan Pace Jr. (ILB)
3. Dallas Turner (OLB)
2. Kyler Murray (QB)
1. J.J. McCarthy (QB)
