Minnesota Vikings News

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports that the Minnesota Vikings had a relatively even split of snaps between quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy in the first training camp practice on Wednesday, but Murray had the slight edge in first-team snaps with 16 to McCarthy's 12. Will Ragatz reported that it was a solid first day for both Murray and McCarthy in their QB1 battle. Murray had some impressive throws, but also some misses. McCarthy has plenty of arm strength, but the Vikings are going to need to see more accuracy to all parts of the field after a pretty disastrous first full season as the starter in 2025. Whoever wins this QB battle will be no more than a QB2 in superflex leagues, but Murray has more NFL experience and fantasy upside as a dual-threat signal-caller with an upgraded receiving corps in his new home. Murray has felt like the favorite going into training camp, but head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't tipping his hand. If Murray wins the starting job, as expected, he'll have QB1 upside, based on matchups, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as his top-two receivers.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was "everywhere" during the team's first training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Will Ragatz. This comes after a recent report that Addison and new quarterback Kyler Murray worked with each other for two months leading up to training camp. The 24-year-old former 23rd overall pick in 2023 out of USC is motivated going into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026 after a career-worst season that saw him catch 42 of his 79 targets for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games after combining for 19 touchdown receptions in his first two seasons. Minnesota's lackluster quarterback play in 2025 didn't help matters. Addison will continue to be in the shadow of All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, but a bounce-back campaign could be in the cards if Murray seizes the QB1 gig and elevates the Vikings' passing attack from what it was a year ago. His case for being a WR3/4 sleeper in fantasy drafts this year is dependent on Murray winning the job in training camp and clicking with Addison in 2026. So far, so good.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. remains a sensible low-cost dynasty target for contenders, while rebuilding managers should look to move him before his short-term value declines further. The 31-year-old produced 1,546 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 before a hamstring injury helped limit him to 12 games last season. Jones finished 2025 with 132 carries for 548 yards and two touchdowns, plus 28 receptions for 199 yards and another score. Jordan Mason was the more productive runner, totaling 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries, but Jones doubled Mason's reception total and should remain the more established passing-down option. Minnesota retained Jones on a revised contract that lowered his 2026 base salary to $5.5 million, and he is entering the final year of the deal. Sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne adds another change-of-pace option, but Jones still has a path to useful receiving work. RotoBaller ranks Jones 171st overall in its latest dynasty update, placing him firmly in the low-cost range. Contenders can justify acquiring him as PPR depth, while rebuilders should sell rather than risk another age-related drop in value after the season.

The Minnesota Vikings signed offensive tackle Brian O'Neill to a four-year, $96 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. O'Neill is now under contract with the Vikings for the next five years. The 30-year-old veteran and two-time Pro Bowler has been a starter for the Vikes at right tackle since entering the league in 2018 as a second-round pick (62nd overall) from the University of Pittsburgh. O'Neill has been one of the team's most reliable offensive linemen and now gets rewarded for it. He will continue to anchor the Vikings' O-line in 2026 as their starting right tackle as they look to bounce back in 2026. O'Neill has started all but four of his 124 games played for Minnesota in the regular season in his eight years in the league.

Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will both receive first-team and second-team repetitions as the competition for the starting job begins in training camp, according to Alec Lewis. Head coach Kevin O'Connell met with every quarterback over the past day and said he has a timeline in place for naming the starter so the team and players have clarity, though he did not reveal a date. Minnesota used a similar rotation during minicamp, and the team has cautioned against drawing conclusions from which quarterback receives more first-team work on a particular day. McCarthy completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 10 starts in 2025 while adding 181 rushing yards and four scores. Murray was limited to five games with Arizona, completing 110 of 161 attempts for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 173 yards and one touchdown. The planned rotation confirms that neither quarterback has secured the job, leaving both with considerable fantasy uncertainty until O'Connell makes his decision.

Three-time All-Pro safety Jamal Adams is signing an undisclosed deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz. The 30-year-old former sixth overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2017 NFL draft out of LSU moved from strong safety to linebacker last year with the Las Vegas Raiders and recorded 45 tackles (30 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in 17 games (four starts) in his ninth year in the league. Last year was the first time since 2018 that Adams played in every regular-season game. The veteran defensive back was once one of the most attractive safeties in IDP fantasy leagues because of his ability to come up in the box and defend the run, but because of injuries and his move to linebacker, he's no longer on the fantasy radar in those formats. Adams has 22.5 sacks in his nine-year career, but has had just one sack since the start of the 2021 season.

Minnesota Vikings "executives, coaches, and teammates quietly raved" about rookie running back Demond Claiborne's movement skills this spring, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. A sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Claiborne recorded 2,350 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns across his final 24 games for the Demon Deacons. He enters 2026 firmly behind veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason on the team's running back depth chart and may even be behind Zavier Scott for Minnesota's RB3 job. However, neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is under contract with the Vikings beyond 2026. Claiborne profiles as the highest-upside athlete of the Minnesota running backs. If he can prove himself capable of handling the finer points of the running back position, Claiborne could carve out a role in the Vikings' backfield sooner rather than later.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Jordan Addison have been working out together for the last two months in Dallas, Texas, according to Jordan Schultz. Both players also reported to Minnesota early this week to prepare for the start of training camp, and they both have hopes for a big year in 2026. Murray and Addison are motivated to succeed after down years in 2025. The 28-year-old Murray only played in five games due to a foot injury in his final year in Arizona, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. The former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma is competing with J.J. McCarthy for the starting QB gig for the Vikes this year, but given his experience and dual-threat abilities, Murray feels like the favorite entering camp. Murray will see his ADP rise if he's named the starter, but right now, he's an intriguing low-cost, low-end QB2 target with upside. Addison, 24, had a career-low 610 receiving yards and only three TDs in 14 games in 2025, but he wasn't helped by the team's lackluster QB play. He's locked in as the WR2 in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson, and he, too, could be primed for a bounce-back year if Murray wins the job and elevates the passing attack. Addison is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 36 fantasy WR for 2026.

Following an injury-marred final season with the 49ers, wide receiver Jauan Jennings was met by a cooler-than-expected free agent market before eventually signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, and should Minnesota's offense take a step forward in 2026, as many are projecting, Jennings could prove to be a tremendous value in the closing rounds of fantasy drafts. The battle at quarterback between free agent acquisition Kyler Murray and disappointing third-year player J.J. McCarthy will undoubtedly be a point of focus when the Vikings take to the field for their first public practice of training camp on August 1, and the result will have an obvious impact on a Vikings receiver room looking to put a forgettable 2025 season behind them. Justin Jefferson remains one of the league's premier talents, but with Jordan Addison profiling more as a big-play threat than a consistent target-earner, and tight end T.J. Hockenson yet to return to his pre-injury form following a 2023 ACL tear, an important chain-moving role could be had by Jennings in Kevin O'Connell's offense. At RotoBaller's WR59, Jennings will be a player to monitor throughout training camp, and if his draft price holds, he should be seen as a late-round target with standalone value and multiple paths to an increased role.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is no longer being drafted as a weekly difference-maker, which is probably where his 2026 appeal starts. He caught 51 of 66 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season, his lowest yardage total since his rookie year. Minnesota's offense was a mess around him. Three quarterbacks started, the line cycled through 26 combinations, and Hockenson's routes were reduced because he had to stay in and help in protection. The setup is better, not clean. J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray will split first-team work early in camp, while Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings leave plenty of competition for targets. Hockenson remains the Vikings' lead receiving tight end after restructuring his contract, though he played only 69% of the offensive snaps last year. RotoBaller lists him at TE22 with an ADP of 161.6. That is late enough to take a chance, but managers should pair him with another tight end rather than count on a full return to form.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison is coming off the worst season of his career, but his current draft cost leaves room for a rebound. A three-game suspension shortened 2025, and Addison finished with 42 catches for 610 yards and three receiving touchdowns on 79 targets. He also dropped six passes, one more than he had across his first two seasons combined. That part cannot be blamed on Minnesota's quarterbacks, though the position remains unsettled between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray. Before last season, Addison opened his career with 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 scores, then followed with 63 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. Jauan Jennings adds another target to an offense already led by Justin Jefferson, but Minnesota still exercised Addison's fifth-year option for 2027. RotoBaller lists him at WR42 in current redraft ADP. At that point, managers are not paying for another double-digit touchdown season. They are betting that a proven No. 2 receiver can recover from a messy year. Addison has enough past production to beat that cost, although the quarterback competition and deeper target tree keep him from being a safe weekly starter.

Across 16 games (five starts) in 2025, Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason recorded 809 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 173 touches. The 27-year-old's fantasy upside in PPR scoring formats is limited by his lack of pass-game involvement, as he's recorded just 28 catches across 61 career NFL games. Mason is also likely to split reps for the second straight season in 2026 with veteran Vikings back Aaron Jones Sr. However, Jones Sr. is entering his age-32 campaign and has missed at least five games in two out of the last three years. At this point in their respective careers, Mason profiles as the better between-the-tackles rusher and could take over as Minnesota's primary early-down back. The overall health of the Vikings offense should be improved this year as well, as the team added veteran quarterback Kyler Murray over the offseason. At his current redraft ADP of RB43, Mason could be a value pick for fantasy managers.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggled in his first chance to be an NFL starter in 2025. McCarthy missed seven games due to ankle, concussion, and hand issues and finished the year with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Minnesota brought in some significant competition for McCarthy in free agency, signing veteran quarterback Kyler Murray. Given Murray's established track record from his time with the Arizona Cardinals, it wouldn't be a surprise if McCarthy is limited to QB2 duties in 2026. However, the Vikings reportedly plan to allow the battle between Murray and McCarthy to run through training camp and the preseason. McCarthy is just 23 years old, and Minnesota could still view him as a key piece of the team's future. McCarthy also brings some fantasy juice with his legs, as he rushed for 181 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season. With his value at a low point, McCarthy could be a worthy buy-low candidate for dynasty managers.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that optimism persists for quarterback Max Brosmer. The Vikings wished he didn't have to play during his rookie season, but circumstances put him into the spotlight last year due to injuries to J.J. McCarthy, and he completed 66.2% of his pass attempts for 328 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions in seven games (two starts). Lewis adds that if the Vikings were to release him, there would be plenty of interest around the league. The 25-year-old didn't have much help from the offensive line in front of him, and he was sacked 14 times in 85 dropbacks in his first year in the league. It's unclear what the Vikings will do with their QB room heading into the 2026 regular season, as they also have McCarthy, Kyler Murray, and veteran Carson Wentz. The QB1 battle between McCarthy and Murray is expected to go right up to the start of the regular season in early September. At best, Brosmer is most likely being groomed for the backup QB job in the long run.

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition is set to go "right up to the start" of the 2026 regular season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Vikings acquired veteran Kyler Murray over the offseason to compete with incumbent signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, who battled both injuries and underperformance in 2025. Murray was limited to just five games in 2025 by a foot injury and has struggled with inconsistency himself in recent seasons. However, he's demonstrated a much higher ceiling than McCarthy to this point in their respective careers and was a productive dual-threat quarterback as recently as 2024, when he threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 572 yards and five scores. Fantasy managers with an interest in Vikings wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and/or Jauan Jennings may be better served if Murray wins the job, as the veteran quarterback likely offers the higher floor. Still, McCarthy is only entering his age-23 season and could be a higher-upside option.

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he recorded 1,047 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns across 12 games at Wake Forest in 2025. In Minnesota, Claiborne joins a crowded running back room that also includes Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott. As a result, Claiborne may have a difficult time carving out a fantasy-relevant role in his first NFL season. However, both Jones Sr. and Mason will be free agents at the end of the 2026 season, leaving the Vikings without a clear running back of the future. Weighing in at under 200 lbs., Claiborne is a bit undersized for a true three-down role in the NFL. Still, he brings high-end speed and could be worth targeting as a dynasty stash candidate in rookie drafts.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not suddenly stop being an elite dynasty asset because 2025 went sideways. The touchdowns vanished. He scored only twice, and Minnesota cycled through J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer while Jefferson finished with 84 catches for 1,048 yards on 141 targets. It was his worst full season, yet he still cleared 1,000 yards for the sixth time in six years. One season earlier, he posted 103 receptions, 1,533 yards, and 10 scores. The quarterback question remains, with McCarthy and Kyler Murray headed for a camp battle, while Jauan Jennings joins Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in a deeper group of pass-catchers. None of that changes the larger point. Jefferson turned 27 in June, remains under contract through 2028, and sits fourth in RotoBaller's dynasty wide receiver rankings. He will cost plenty. For a contender with depth to spare, though, this is the rare moment to see whether a frustrated manager will move him. Rebuilders should hold unless the return includes another cornerstone asset.

In his second season with the Minnesota Vikings, running back Aaron Jones Sr. was limited to only 548 rushing yards and two scores on the ground while missing five games with a variety of injuries, including a hamstring issue that landed him on injured reserve. An additional 199 receiving yards and one more touchdown through the air allowed him to maintain a serviceable fantasy floor when he was available, but along with former undrafted free agent Jordan Mason, he formed one of the less inspired running back committees in 2025. The Vikings finished in the bottom half of the league in terms of both rushing yards and touchdowns, making it all the more surprising that the team opted to make so few changes to the room for 2026. Minnesota spent a sixth-round pick on Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne, but at only 195 pounds, his role could be limited to little more than change-of-pace duties as a rookie. The offensive line should see better health in 2026, and free agent acquisition Kyler Murray represents a dramatic potential improvement at the quarterback position, so the Vikings could be banking on better cohesion and functionality to lift the offense as a whole, and with it the running game. No longer a player to actively target in fantasy drafts, Jones has fallen to RotoBaller's RB38 for 2026. Still, he should continue to provide usable value from the flex spot for as long as he can hold off Claiborne as the team's primary pass-catching back.

After spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is entering his first year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2026. Jennings emerged as a more prominent piece of the San Francisco passing game over the past two seasons, recording over 1,600 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns since the start of 2024. However, he now profiles as the clear WR3 in a Vikings offense that already features star wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. While Minnesota's passing game should be improved this season following the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray, the Vikings may still struggle to support fantasy-relevant production for three pass-catchers. Additionally, Jennings is entering his age-29 season and plays a physical style that has led to him playing through nagging injuries in recent years. In dynasty formats, Jennings profiles as a clear sell-high candidate ahead of 2026.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell wouldn't shed much light on where the quarterback competition stands between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show with training camp quickly approaching later this month, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "Kyler has come in and done a great job," O'Connell said. "J.J., I think, has benefited from it; he's had a really good spring. Carson Wentz is this veteran quarterback in the room," O'Connell said. Some believe that Murray is already the favorite to win the starting job, but O'Connell isn't going to admit it before camp even begins. Murray, 28, flamed out with the Arizona Cardinals and is no stranger to injury, but given his experience and dual-threat abilities, he makes sense as the QB1 to begin the 2026 regular season, and he will have clear bounce-back potential in a better offensive situation in Minnesota with a QB whisperer as his new head coach. In fantasy, Murray is the much more intriguing QB2 option with upside because of his rushing ability. RotoBaller has Murray ranked as the QB19, with McCarthy not even listed among the top-34 signal-callers.