The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2026 preseason with clear winners and losers and a QB2 decision that shouldn’t be difficult. Carson Wentz looked like the safe backup to Kyler Murray. J.J. McCarthy looked like a quarterback who needed another chance and then injured his ankle before he could get it.
Friday’s 34-6 loss to the Denver Broncos will be forgotten by lunchtime. Minnesota scoring one touchdown in three games deserves a little more attention, even with most of the starters watching from the sideline.
While the game is usually ugly, the preseason gives fringe players three weeks to make their 53-man roster case. Myles Price and Caleb Banks did that. Demond Claiborne and the reserve offensive line, on the other hand, left the Vikings scanning the waiver wire.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 preseason winners and losers
Winner: Myles Price
Price supplied Minnesota’s only touchdown with a ridiculous one-handed catch against the Giants. He finished that game with four receptions for 51 yards before adding another catch against Baltimore.
The return job already belongs to him, and Minnesota’s first unofficial depth chart suggested his receiver spot was secure. Proving he can contribute at receiver should keep Price not only on the roster but in the weekly lineup.
Winner: Carson Wentz
Wentz completed 21 of 29 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His two drives in Denver produced 15 yards and nothing resembling excitement, but that doesn’t erase the previous two games.
He knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense and thoroughly outplayed McCarthy. The Vikings can call McCarthy QB2 if they want, but Wentz looks like the quarterback they’d actually trust if Murray gets hurt -- which has been McCarthy’s problem all month.
Winner: Will Reichard
Will Reichard went 5-for-5 on field goals, including kicks from 54 and 52 yards. Minnesota’s offense gave him plenty of practice ending stalled drives, and he handled every assignment.
Reichard was one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers in 2025, and his stellar preseason gives the Vikings every reason to expect the same in 2026. Once the regular season gets underway, the Vikings want post-touchdown extra points over field goals, but having Reichard available when drives stall is better than zero.
Winner: Caleb Banks
Banks entered training camp behind schedule because of his foot injury, then steadily found his footing during the preseason. He didn't put up flashy numbers but certainly looked more comfortable as the preseason progressed. He and Domonique Orange helped Minnesota’s second-wave defense force five three-and-outs against Baltimore.
Banks consistently moved blockers out of his path and clogged running lanes, giving Minnesota a promising glimpse of what its first-round pick can become.
Loser: J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy completed nine of 17 passes for 115 yards without a touchdown. His 50-yard connection with Tai Felton was excellent, but missing an open Price on fourth-and-goal made for good social media fodder.
The ankle injury cost McCarthy the finale and his last chance to answer Wentz. After losing the starting job, you'd think he would've tried harder to settle the backup competition.
Loser: Demond Claiborne
Claiborne received 28 carries and produced 73 yards, a 2.6-yard average and no run longer than nine yards. The blocking was rough, but his 4.37 speed rarely survived first contact.
There was a ton of excitement about the sixth-rounder heading into training camp, but he's been a massive disappointment. His 25.2-yard kickoff-return average might save his roster spot, but his ground game certainly didn’t.
Loser: Vikings reserve offensive line
Baltimore recorded five sacks, penalties erased productive plays and the running game found little space. Denver then stopped Minnesota on two red-zone trips.
The Vikings can’t manufacture capable offensive-line depth in the two weeks before Week 1 kickoff, but you can bet they'll be studying other teams' discards immediately.
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