The 4-8 Minnesota Vikings have a problem that they thought they had remedied from last season, but it has been a nagging issue again in 2025.
The offensive line.
While the Vikings are technically still in contention for a Wild Card bid, ESPN has their playoff odds at less than 1%. Therefore, this is the perfect time to start looking towards 2026 and the team’s needs.
With all the injuries the offensive line has sustained this season, the line they thought would begin the season with has started (in full) in only one game, and they didn’t come out of that contest healthy.
J.J. McCarthy’s development will become the focus for the rest of this season, and people will grade him based on whether he truly is the QB of the future the team wants him to be. For him to develop, the team must revisit the trenches to assess what they have and what they need going into 2026.
So, what does the team have in store for 2026, and where do they look for help?
What they have going into 2026
To get a clear picture of what the team may require in the future, it is helpful to review what they currently have on the roster.
Let’s start by looking at 2025 starters going into 2026, and who are under contract past next season. The Vikings will try to retain the left side of the line with rookie guard Donovan Jackson and veteran tackle Christian Darrisaw. They also have guard Will Fries, who they signed last off-season, coming back.
While three starters are likely to return, tackle Brian O’Neill and center Ryan Kelly are not signed beyond 2026, making the likelihood of their return a bit more unclear.
I will address up-and-comers already on the roster later, but Justin Skule and Blake Brandel are two current linemen who are not signed beyond 2026. Yet, both have seen considerable playing time in the current construction of this offense.
While I don’t feel Kelly (due to injury) and Skule (due to performance) are viable options to stick around long term, I could see the front office trying to work out a deal to bring back Brandel and/or O’Neill, whether it be a new deal or extensions on their current ones.
The Vikings have the foundation of an offensive line, but where do they go to find pieces that will be key to fixing what seems to have become a concurrent issue on this roster?
There are some obvious places to start when acquiring fill-ins for those two potential openings: the free-agent market and the draft.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has had success in free agency. However, his moves this offseason haven’t panned out, especially along the offensive line. While Fries has been one of the only constants amongst the line, Kelly has only played 70% of the snaps in five games because of two concussions and an injured hip.
So, who should they sign?
At first glance, center Tyler Linderbaum would make a huge splash. He’d instantly help whatever team signs him as he enters his age-27 season.
The more likely road, though, would be someone like tackle Braden Smith, a 30-year-old lineman with injury history, yet who has had a great 2025 season in Indianapolis. This follows more of the Adofo-Mensah free agent, an older reclamation project with high upside.
While he hasn’t drafted well since taking over as Minnesota’s GM, it seems Kwesi hit gold with Jackson. Is there a chance he can do it again?
While other needs, like defensive backs, will be more vital, the smart play is to find a reliable plug-and-play guy. If they don’t, this line might become a sieve again. They may look at guys like Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Gennings Dunker (Iowa), or Connor Lew (Auburn) during the draft/combine process.
Maybe another youngster can do what Jackson has almost paved the way for when it comes to young offensive line talent.
Is there anything in-house?
If the team doesn’t feel it has any linemen ready to start after free agency or in the draft, it may need to consider in-house options. There are guys with experience on the Vikings’ bench who do have contracts that go beyond 2026: Walter Rouse, Michael Jurgens, and Joe Huber.
While all three have seen playing time this season, they have only two starts among the three players. Granted, they are all very young, Jergens being the oldest at 25. It still doesn’t leave the team with much in terms of line help going forward if all those players whose contracts are up in 2026 don’t come back.
While the QB position is the most important in the game, it is up to the guys in the trenches to keep him upright and away from hard hits and negative plays.
The Vikings must find a way to secure a decent offensive line. Otherwise, it could hurt McCarthy’s future development. The front office has always wanted to handle him with clean hands. They can’t do that if they don’t have a viable offensive line next year.
