https://vikesnow.com/training-camp/2026/vikings-training-camp-2027-roster/

Vikings Training Camp Already Telling a Story about 2027

The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season is still about five weeks away, but at training camp, the club is already scripting a tale about 2027 – – and it is pretty damn glorious. Most of the non-quarterback news revolves around young players strutting their stuff, and for the most part, it’s not just smoke.

No matter what happens in 2026, this year’s camp has provided evidence for a promising future of player development, which couldn’t necessarily be declared in the last half-decade.

Vikings’ Next Core Is Emerging Earlier Than Expected

2026 Rookie Class Jumps the Timeline

First-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks has seen considerable time with the first team at training camp; Charles Demmings is arguably the number-one-with-a-bullet surprise rookie of camp; Jake Golday is already handling multiple linebacker responsibilities; and Minnesota drafted Domonique Orange with a clear track toward becoming their long-term nose tackle.

Banks’s emergence is particularly noteworthy. If he, Golday, Orange, and Demmings all establish themselves this year, Minnesota will enter 2027 with inexpensive starters or major contributors across the defensive line, at linebacker/EDGE, and at cornerback.

KFAN’s Paul Allen recently told Vikings.com about Banks, “I haven’t seen anything like this inside since Pat and Kevin Williams.” Quite the comparison, quite the compliment.

This revelation is so overdue and divine because the Vikings struggled to draft productive contributors in 2022 and 2023, outside of Jalen Nailor and Jordan Addison. In fact, Minnesota was well-known for drafting poorly – – part of the reason the franchise dismissed former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January.

In short, this is new territory: rookies looking fantastic at training camp. That cannot bode badly for the future.

Tai Felton Suddenly More Than a Special Teamer

The Vikings coaches have praised Felton’s improved understanding at the line of scrimmage, noting his ability to anticipate defenders’ attempts to counter his speed. They’ve also observed improvements in his route running and an overall presence, claiming that he’s putting a thumbprint on training camp each day.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell on Felton: “I think he has a better plan at the line of scrimmage this year.”

The 2025 rookie, who saw minimal offensive play last season, is now generating buzz as a receiver, positioning himself behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings as the sure-fire WR4. Given Jennings is on a one-year deal, Felton’s development into a solid WR3 option would simplify the team’s strategy next offseason.

Felton, alas, is not a lost cause and can be removed from the “failed Kwesi picks” pile. Thanks to his training camp about-face, he doesn’t belong there.

Gavin Bartholomew Begins His NFL Career

Bartholomew’s 2025 season ended before it began due to a back injury, preventing him from playing a single regular season snap. Now healthy, he’s making multiple catches in camp and is close to overtaking Yurosek for the TE3 spot – – if he hasn’t already. Bartholomew is basically embarking on his rookie season in 2026.

With T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver both approaching 30, Bartholomew has the potential to become a legitimate NFL tight end, offering Minnesota a cost-effective successor rather than needing to acquire one elsewhere. Think of this way: if Bartholomew shows enough on the field or behind the scenes this season, he can nibble at the TE1 or TE2 job in 2027.

Not long ago, fans would grimace about the 2025 draft class when hearing “Bartholomew” and “Felton.” The tide has turned. Minnesota may have two pass-catchers worthy of the roster in 2026 and 2027, when both could’ve lived on the damn roster bubble a month ago.

Kyler Murray’s Big Opportunity

This is it. The Vikings bungled the Sam Darnold situation during the 2025 offseason. They let him leave, and he won a Super Bowl 11 months later. Of course, Murray still has to script a Darnoldesque season in 2026 – – that won’t be easy – – but if he looks the part of a QB1, Minnesota can simply extend his contract and make him the QB1 for the next several years. At 29, he’s young enough for a three- or four-year extension.

Murray has the edge in Eagan over J.J. McCarthy in the oft-advertised quarterback battle. All signs point to Murray winning the competition.

If one assumes that he wins and later guides the Vikings to the postseason, general manager Nolan Teasley can spend big bucks to keep him around.

It will remain really, really bizarre that a quarterback who averages 3,900+ passing yards, 600+ rushing yards, and 30 total touchdowns every 17 starts fell into the Vikings’ lap for $1.3 million in March.

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VikesNow Verdict: The Vikings are preparing for 2026, but August’s most encouraging developments may matter even more a year from now. Young defenders are accelerating, Felton and Bartholomew are reviving their trajectories, and Murray could completely remodel the franchise’s 2027 quarterback plans.