Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings managed to put together a few solid performances in 2025, but injuries and lackluster play at the quarterback position ultimately doomed a team just one year removed from racking up the second most regular-season wins in franchise history. Honestly, things were a bit lucky to go as well as they did — Minnesota finished on a five-game win streak thanks in large part to Brian Flores' blitz-happy defense wreaking havoc down the stretch.

Unfortunately, the Vikings might have to mostly just rely on the late-season good times continuing to roll into 2026, as this is the league's second-most expensive roster in terms of active cap spending ahead of next season. Accordingly, only the Chiefs have less cap space—the bulk of meaningful roster improvements will likely have to come through the team's four top-100 draft picks.

Secondary: Reclamation project Jeff Okudah didn't work out and joins Fabian Moreau as free agents. The Vikings could get out of their big-money deal with Byron Murphy after this season should his performance not improve. It might be time to get back to slinging some first-round dough at the position.

Quarterback: At a minimum the team needs to have a better emergency plan than Max Brosmer. At a maximum it could make sense to add some real competition in the form of someone like Malik Willis, Marcus Mariota or Aaron Rodgers.

Linebacker: Better performance against the run is needed regardless of whether or not the team simply rolls it back with the same crew in 2026.