Initial 53-Man Roster for 2026
The Vikings reduced their roster to 53 players on Sunday in accordance with the NFL's deadline.
A total of 24 players were waived; six were waived with an injury designation; four veterans had their contracts terminated. Additionally, Minnesota traded Walter Rouse, placed one player on Injured Reserve — Designated for Return, placed one player on season-ending Injured Reserve, and placed one player on the Reserve/Suspended list.
Overall, the initial group consists of 26 offensive players, 24 defensive players and three on special teams.
Note: Players listed first at each position correspond with starters on the most recent unofficial depth chart, which will be updated for Week 1. All other players are listed alphabetically by last name.
Quarterbacks (4)
Kyler Murray; J.J. McCarthy; Carson Wentz; Max Brosmer
Running backs (3)
Aaron Jones, Sr., OR Jordan Mason; Demond Claiborne
Fullback (1)
Max Bredeson
Receivers (6)
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings; Tai Felton and Myles Price; Dillon Bell
Tight ends (4)
T.J. Hockenson; Josh Oliver; Ben Yurosek; Gavin Bartholomew
Offensive line (8)
LT Christian Darrisaw; LG Donovan Jackson; C Blake Brandel; RG Will Fries; RT Brian O'Neill; T Ryan Van Demark; T Caleb Tiernan; G Joe Huber
Defensive line (6)
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez; Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange and Elijah Williams
Outside linebackers (4)
Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel; Bo Richter; Chaz Chambliss
Inside linebackers (4)
Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson; Jake Golday and Ivan Pace, Jr.
Cornerbacks (5)
Byron Murphy, Jr., and Isaiah Rodgers; Chuck Demmings and James Pierre; Zemaiah Vaughn
Safeties (5)
Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward; Theo Jackson and Jakobe Thomas; Jacob Thomas
Specialists (3)
Long snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Will Reichard; Punter Brett Thorson
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Only 8 OL makes me nervous. Am glad we kept CB Vaughn and P Thorson.
Why the F is Brosmer still here? Placeholder to get the boot if someone releases an OL we like?
RS_Express wrote:
Only 8 OL makes me nervous. Am glad we kept CB Vaughn and P Thorson.
Why the F is Brosmer still here? Placeholder to get the boot if someone releases an OL we like?
I did not expect 4 qb's on the 53...
But thinking about it more?
K1 and JJM both have injury histories and that could leave (gulp) Wentzmer as the only Qb's in the bldg...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Only mild surprises to me are Claiborne over Scott, but the Vikings are wise to go with the upside. Scot will likely go to the PS. Bell making the 53 is a surprise. Keeping 6 WR is a mild surprise. Sounds like Michael Jurgens will go on short term IR, so they'll need a spot for him in, what is it, 4 weeks?
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
Thorson has been good but moving off Hekker is pretty darn surprising to me.
Also… Brosmer? 🤨
Other transactions to note:
Injured Reserve
OLB Tyler Batty ~ Tore his ACL and is out for the season.
Traded
OL Walter Rouse & a 2027 - 7th round pick to N.E. We're receiving 2027 - 6th round pick in return. A note on the Walter Rouse deal — the pick the Vikings sent to the Patriots is originally from Philadelphia, and the pick the Vikings received back was originally Minnesota’s.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
pattersaur wrote:
Thorson has been good but moving off Hekker is pretty darn surprising to me.
Also… Brosmer? 🤨
I don't think they're done at QB. They'll likely see where the pieces are after the dust settles and make a move (or not) then.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
RS_Express wrote:
Only 8 OL makes me nervous. Am glad we kept CB Vaughn and P Thorson.
Why the F is Brosmer still here? Placeholder to get the boot if someone releases an OL we like?
I think 8 becomes 9 when Jurgens returns and they'll trim some fat somewhere else.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
—George Orwell
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.