The Minnesota Vikings lost some veteran players this offseason, which is standard operating procedure for every NFL team. To make up for losses, existing players will be expected to step up, along with a whole bunch of rookies. It’s just the way it goes.
In 2026, these are those men for the Vikings, listed in alphabetical order — veterans whose job descriptions will increase.
Blake Brandel | C
The Vikings have a history of unconventional center selections, and Brandel might be the most surprising, given his presence on the team.
Last season, Brandel played 383 snaps at center, indicating this isn’t merely a fleeting experiment. While his 61.4 PFF grade isn’t spectacular, it revealed a crucial truth: Minnesota may have found a viable player for a position that can hold down the fort.
That makes Week 1 a critical juncture. With Brandel slated to start at center, the experiment becomes reality. If he performs adequately, the Vikings could resolve this position without the frantic search for solutions next offseason. If not, it’s back to square one. Brandel’s value has always stemmed from his versatility. He can play guard, shift to tackle, and now has a legitimate opportunity at center. Last season, he was indispensable, playing in all 17 games, including nine starts, and handling 64% of the offensive snaps.
Teams often dedicate entire offseasons to finding stopgap players. Brandel, however, might be that rare individual who can not only fill a void but also secure the job long-term.
Joe Huber | G
Huber is included on this list “just in case.” The Vikings will start guards Donovan Jackson and Will Fries in 2026, but if one gets injured, Huber figures to be the next man up. Otherwise, Minnesota would have to convert tackle Walter Rouse to guard.
The undrafted rookie from 2025 saw action as a rookie and remains on the roster with training camp 3.5 weeks away. For now, he seems to be the primary backup guard. Injuries spanked the Vikings’ offensive line in 2025. If that happens again, Huber could be a starter.
Dallas Turner | OLB This season marks the moment the Vikings will finally justify the substantial investment made in Turner. No more talk of more “waiting for snaps” and no more relegating him to a backup role behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. With Greenard now an Eagle, Turner’s time has arrived.
It’s exciting because Turner’s projected 2025 sack numbers and his knack for forcing fumbles suggest a player capable of far more than simply fitting into Brian Flores’ defense. He possesses the talent to become a pass rusher who can singlehandedly alter the course of a drive.
Most Vikings fans would likely be content with him simply solidifying a starting role, reserving Pro Bowl aspirations for 2027 or 2028. That’s a reasonable expectation. However, Turner’s ascension might happen even faster.
Minnesota didn’t draft him to be a rotational player. The Vikings expended considerable draft capital for a high-impact defensive talent. Now, he’ll receive the snaps to prove that investment was worthwhile.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Turner last month, “A substantial part of the calculus of trading Greenard is that the Vikings need to see what they have full-time in Turner, who they traded up for in the first round two years ago.”
“He came alive in the second half of last season and has an arrow pointing straight up heading into year three at 23 years old. Turner emerging as a star would help fans forget about the Greenard trade pretty quickly.”
Jay Ward | S The most mysterious statement in the current Vikings landscape is this: Harrison Smith is not presently on the roster. He may return; he may be retired. Nobody knows. If Smith remains away or retires, Ward stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries on the entire depth chart.
He already provided the Vikings with compelling reasons to consider him. Late last season, Ward surpassed Theo Jackson, injecting more intensity into the secondary. His aggressive play was noticeable, and his ball-tracking ability proved helpful. The defense as a whole appeared more dynamic with him on the field.
If Smith is indeed done, Minnesota would likely enter Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers with Josh Metellus and Ward as the starting safeties.
It represents a monumental challenge for Ward, but it’s precisely the kind of opportunity young defensive backs strive for over two years. The Vikings may have an open safety spot, and Ward is currently in the prime position to claim it. It’s also the final year of his rookie contract, also known as go-time.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
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