All Things 2026 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

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Besides having better luck with less injuries, the thing I really want to see change from is KOC. Having an absolute great runner in Murray, will he roll him out and use his legs? Will we ever run quick slant passes or more screens to the rb's?

My nightmare is a 5-10 QB forced to stay in a collapsing pocket, trying to make miracle throws with the defense bearing down on him.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Deebo still thinks he’s the man and wants premium money; if you weren’t going to give it to Nailor, it seems foolish to give it to him.

I thought you said before Hopkins was was cooked?
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It's almost May. Is anyone going to give him "premium money" at this point?

Hopkins is pretty cooked. He'd still be our 3rd best receiver. There are a # of guys still available I'd rather have (Juan Jennings/Gabe Davis) but there seems to be steam due to his time with Murray.
 

howeda7 said:
It's almost May. Is anyone going to give him "premium money" at this point?
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As the Vikes showed it only takes one team.
howeda7 said:
Hopkins is pretty cooked. He'd still be our 3rd best receiver. There are a # of guys still available I'd rather have but there seems to be steam due to his time with Murray.
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I like Allen because it’s not his athleticism he relies on on as much as seemingly the others.

Jennings is likely the best blocker of the bunch, so there’s that as well.
 

So, we are all going to ignore Greenard not playing the last set of downs in SEA? KOC called him out after the game.
 



Luke Braun, from the Locked on Vikings podcast, did a moderate piece this morning on the Vikings GM situation and the viability of Rob Brzezinski in the permanent role. Long story short, his interpretation is that it's not likely that Rob B gets the permanent gig (or that he really WANTS it for that matter).

Just his interpretation from the way things played out over the last few months, how visible and vocal Rob B was during the draft process, etc. I guess we'll see.

Things should shift to the GM search now that the draft is behind them. It will be interesting to see the pool of candidates.

Looks like Alec Lewis put out an article this morning so I'll have to check that out; I'm sure either myself or NYC will throw up a summary here
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
Luke Braun, from the Locked on Vikings podcast, did a moderate piece this morning on the Vikings GM situation and the viability of Rob Brzezinski in the permanent role. Long story short, his interpretation is that it's not likely that Rob B gets the permanent gig (or that he really WANTS it for that matter).

Just his interpretation from the way things played out over the last few months, how visible and vocal Rob B was during the draft process, etc. I guess we'll see.

Things should shift to the GM search now that the draft is behind them. It will be interesting to see the pool of candidates.

Looks like Alec Lewis put out an article this morning so I'll have to check that out; I'm sure either myself or NYC will throw up a summary here
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I took a quick look at it this morning and other than seeing the Raiders Assistant GM listed, the rest just floated over my head.

Front office NFL personnel is yet another one of many subjects where I Sgt. Schultz it, as I know nuthing🤷‍♂️

I therefore will await you posting abd thoughts on Lewis’ list, my friend 😃
 







howeda7 said:
Is he older than Lamar Jackson?

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Before looking it up my guess was less than a 2 year age gap (Jackson older).

Pavia (24) turns out is 5 years younger Jackson (29).
 




howeda7 said:
It was tongue in cheek, but I also thought Pavia was 26 or 27.
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Yes, totally got it but I was also curious how close it was.

Like you, I thought Pavia was a few years older. Also had Jackson in the 28 range.
 

This guy would be a nice hire for GM:

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that assistant general manager Alec Halaby is leaving the team after ten years serving under Howie Roseman, widely regarded as one of the best general managers in the league.
 

Slim Tubby said:
This guy would be a nice hire for GM:

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that assistant general manager Alec Halaby is leaving the team after ten years serving under Howie Roseman, widely regarded as one of the best general managers in the league.
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I think it's like 75% Rob B gets the job. Frankly at this point I'm not sure why they don't just wait until after the season.
 

howeda7 said:
I think it's like 75% Rob B gets the job. Frankly at this point I'm not sure why they don't just wait until after the season.
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Hiring a new GM now gives that person 1 season to evaluate whether or not they can coexist with KOC before deciding if they need to start fresh.
 

howeda7 said:
I think it's like 75% Rob B gets the job. Frankly at this point I'm not sure why they don't just wait until after the season.
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I doubt Rob B gets the job. Can't even say for sure he wants it.

My best guesses right now would be from the following:

Reed Burckhardt - Denver Asst GM (13 years with the Vikings as a scout, MN native)

Brian Stark - Raiders Asst GM. (has some history with KOC)

Terrance Gray - Bills Asst GM. (over a decade as a Vikings scout previously)

Rob B can handle things from the Salary Cap standpoint, so I am hoping/praying they tab someone with a history on the scouting and draft evaluation side. They don't need a financial guy, they need a guy with an eye for talent.
 

howeda7 said:
I think it's like 75% Rob B gets the job. Frankly at this point I'm not sure why they don't just wait until after the season.
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Lewis’ article had this to say FWIW

Rob Brzezinski, Vikings interim GM​

This is the place to begin — if Brzezinski wants the job. The Vikings asked him to shepherd the team through the last three months. Rather than make decisions based on optics and how they would be perceived, Brzezinski cut costs and took a major draft-day swing.

Nobody understands the organization’s internal dynamics better than Brzezinski, and there is immense internal support for him at all levels throughout the building. He knows the coaches’ preferences and personalities. He has helped shape the makeup of the current roster. For years, other NFL teams have poked around about hiring him, which is as much about his relational feel as it is his financial wherewithal.

In making this move, the Vikings would have to answer questions about the personnel plan. Would the team seek an experienced evaluator to pair with Brzezinski? Could it continue to defer a large portion of the work to the coaches, who would like a say in that phase of team-building? Furthermore, Vikings ownership and the hiring committee must be mindful of the reaction from current staffers who believe strongly in Brzezinski’s case for sustained leadership. Wilf rejected the idea of a president of football operations-type structure
 


Gopher_In_NYC said:
Furthermore, Vikings ownership and the hiring committee must be mindful of the reaction from current staffers who believe strongly in Brzezinski’s case for sustained leadership. Wilf rejected the idea of a president of football operations-type structure
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Hiring Committee.

Plausible deniability for Zygi and Mark when things go awry.
 

Depth Signing

The Minnesota Vikings are continuing with their overhaul in the trenches this offseason, with veteran Eric Johnson II the latest to join the fray.

Minnesota is still going through the process of securing its next general manager, with long-time NFL executive Rob Brzezinski running the show on an interim basis for now. That has not stopped its targeted pursuits, with several new additions on both sides of the ball.

Johnson is another addition that appears to have been heavily influenced by the coaching staff.


Vikings Add Ex-Colts DT Eric Johnson​



Christian Barmore

GettyNew Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Eric Johnson (#96) spent one season with the New England Patriots in 2024.

“The Vikings are continuing to add pieces to their defensive line,” Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young wrote on April 29. “Minnesota has signed free agent defensive tackle Eric Johnson II, the team announced Wednesday.

Johnson began his NFL career as a fifth-round pick, taken 159th overall in the 2022 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He has spent three of his four seasons in the league with the Colts.

Johnson spent the other season with the New England Patriots.

Johnson could fit well in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.

Interior defensive linemen are not asked to make the play, though Johnson is an active presence on the field. Instead, they free up the linebackers and edge rushers to do so, all while the team has been the most blitz-heavy outfit in the league during Flores’ tenure, per Stathead.


Johnson, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, has 41 total tackles, 2 stops for loss, and 1.0 sacks in 51 career games. He has never started a regular-season contest.

He figures to compete for a depth role behind Jalen Redmond and a rebuilt interior D-line.
 




WR Deebo Samuel: Minnesota Vikings​

PFF Free-Agent Rank: No. 24​


The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks. However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders.

Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run. Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets.

Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.

www.pff.com

Ideal landing spots for the NFL’s 10 best remaining free agents

With 25 of PFF's top 100 free agents left on the board, Bradley Locker plays matchmaker with names like D.J. Reader and Deebo Samuel.
www.pff.com www.pff.com
 

Slim Tubby said:

WR Deebo Samuel: Minnesota Vikings​

PFF Free-Agent Rank: No. 24​


The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks. However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders.

Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run. Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets.

Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.

www.pff.com

Ideal landing spots for the NFL’s 10 best remaining free agents

With 25 of PFF's top 100 free agents left on the board, Bradley Locker plays matchmaker with names like D.J. Reader and Deebo Samuel.
www.pff.com www.pff.com
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He’s a bigger Diva than even you🥸
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
He’s a bigger Diva than even you🥸
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Deebo couldn't make it through a manicure without drama. I could survive the apocalypse with a baseball hat, jeans, t-shirt and a pair of flipflops.

He would be a damn good 3rd receiver for this team, though.
 


Slim Tubby said:

WR Deebo Samuel: Minnesota Vikings​

The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks. However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders.

Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns,
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This, in bold; and he'll be yet another year older this fall.

I have to believe there's an almost zero chance the Vikings want to bring this into their building for what the return would be
 

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