Realistic Expectations for Every New Player
Vikings 2026 Preview: Realistic Expectations for Every New Player
What should Vikings fans realistically expect from the new players in 2026? Tyler Forness delivers the answers.
The Minnesota Vikings are entering Phase II OTAs with a roster full of new faces, and Vikings fans are eager to know what to expect in 2026. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show — a Vikings 1st & SKOL production — host and A to Z Sports beat writer Tyler Forness joins co-host Dave Stefano to set realistic expectations for every new Viking, from first-round pick Caleb Banks to newly acquired quarterback Kyler Murray. With the hype machine running at full speed, Forness delivers the grounded, film-based analysis that Minnesota fans need heading into the season.
Episode Summary
Forness opens the discussion by framing the conversation around development over projection: “It’s not necessarily about talent, not necessarily about projecting them forward, just the 2026 season.” For defensive tackle Caleb Banks — the 18th overall pick who might have gone top-10 without a Combine foot injury — Forness sets a measured bar: 500–550 snaps, 25–30 pressures, and 3–5 sacks. “Let’s improve the baseline of Caleb Banks’ play from a consistency and technique standpoint. And if we can do that, then we can potentially see a year two breakout.” On linebacker Jake Golday, Forness pushes back on the popular Andrew Van Ginkel comparison: “There is no other Andrew Van Ginkel… I just don’t see him being an edge rusher. He’s an off-ball guy who can do some edge things.” For quarterback Kyler Murray, the expectations are straightforward but significant — “He’s going to walk into a Rolls-Royce” — with the best supporting cast of his NFL career in place.
Key Points from This Episode:
Caleb Banks (1st Round, DT): Forness projects 13 games, ~500–550 snaps, and 3–5 sacks. “Let’s just hope that he figures out how to play consistent football.”
Jake Golday (2nd Round, LB): Expected in sub-packages and 200–400 snaps. “His focus is going to be playing off the ball… not as an edge rusher.”
Domonique Orange (3rd Round, NT): Simple expectations — “Just be a stalwart nose tackle… four to 600 snaps. Be solid.”
Demond Claiborne (RB): A controversial take — “I don’t know if Demond Claiborne makes the team” — citing blocking concerns similar to those that limited Ty Chandler.
Kyler Murray (QB): “He just has to play within the system… if Kyler ends up maximizing himself within this offense, you’re talking about a group that could be top five.”
James Pierre (CB): “Just be as good as Isaiah Rodgers last year, but tackle better… Don’t be a disaster.”
Jauan Jennings (WR): Stats don’t matter to Forness — “When I watch your film, I’m like, ‘Oh, that guy kicks ass. I’m glad he’s on my team.’”
Harrison Smith: Forness believes Smith returns — “I think he just comes back if he wants to… he loves Flores, he loves playing for him.”
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
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