Playmakers. https://t.co/WWmnOJoIcP

— VikesNow (@VikesNow) August 11, 2026

Nolan Teasley Has a Simple Message for Vikings Players Fighting for Their Jobs

After the Minnesota Vikings’ three preseason games, head coach Kevin O’Connell, his staff, and new general manager Nolan Teasley will trim the current roster from 90 players to 53. Accordingly, about 40% of the team will leave or join the practice squad, placing some players on the roster bubble as early as right now.

And on Sunday night, Teasley explained what he wants to see from players fighting to make the cut — production and playmaking. So, a message to all bubble players: be a playmaker.

What Nolan Teasley Wants to See Before Roster Cuts

Teasley’s Bubble Player Philosophy = We Want Playmakers

Speaking with Vikings.com’s Tatum Everett, Teasley kept it simple at his team’s popular night practice: “We’re just looking for production. We’re looking for, you know, playmakers. And really what that tells us is that you’ve been focused and taking advantage of your time.”

“Your alignment, assignment, and technique are sound, and that allows you to apply what you’ve learned and apply it to game-day situations.”

The Vikings hired Teasley at the beginning of June after firing the previous boss, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, in late January. Minnesota embarked on the 2026 offseason with an interim general manager, Rob Brzezinski, in the director’s chair.

Teasley continued, “You don’t want to get overly complicated. You just want to look for production and look for people that are making plays. The underlying factors of that is that what it tells you is that they’re putting in the work off the field to be assignment sound.”

“They’re putting in the work on the practice field to improve in terms of technique. They’re executing. And again, they’re just working hard in all facets to be able to put themselves in position to make those plays and to be productive on the field.”

It’s pretty straightforward: Vikings on the roster bubble earn job security by making plays.

Who’s on the Bubble

While every NFL team’s roster bubble is mysterious – – nobody publishes them anywhere in an official capacity – – the following group for the Vikings might be on the fence:

• Dillon Bell (WR)

• Henry Byrd (G)

• Dontae Fleming (WR)

• Gavin Gerhardt (C)

• Isaiahh Loudermilk (DT)

• Dwight McGlothern (CB)

• Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)

• Walter Rouse (OT)

• Zavier Scott (RB)

• Tavierre Thomas (S)

• Zemaiah Vaughn (CB)

• Elijah Williams (DT)

• Ben Yurosek (TE)

Thankfully, those men have three preseason games – – starting Saturday at the New York Giants – – to state their cases for the 53-man roster, hoping to stave off a practice squad assignment or outright release.

One NFL-Caliber Trait Can Be Enough

Teasley also recently said that a player can do one thing well enough to grab a roster spot: “Every player might have some perceived limitations, but you don’t worry about what they can’t do. You’re just really concentrated on what they can. Then it’s our job to develop them and help them be at their best and then put them in position to do those things as often as possible.”

He also champions versatility: “Versatility brings value. And it’s really incumbent upon the coach to bring that to life.”

Therefore, if a player excels in one area – – take, for instance, Tavierre Thomas on special teams – – that trait alone could bring him along to the regular season.

The Preseason Is Where Practice Work Becomes Evidence

Teasley fully admits that defenses tend to dominate training camp – – that’s happening in 2026 in Eagan – – with the preseason games giving players on both sides of the ball new competition.

“It’s not uncommon for the defense to maybe be a little bit ahead in the first day of pads, but what you’re looking for is you’re looking for growth. And I’m really confident that as camp just kind of progresses, you’re going to see the offense have some days, you’re going to see the defense have some days, and back and forth,” he stated.

The Vikings take on the Giants in New Jersey this weekend, followed by joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens. Those events will become further evidence of training camp observations, especially for those making plays.

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VikesNow Verdict: Teasley has now repeated the same roster-building message: production matters because it reflects technique and execution. With three preseason games looming, Minnesota’s bubble players know the assignment. Make plays.