Vikings' final 53-man roster for 2025 hints at much bigger moves coming

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell | Stephen Maturen/GettyImages

It's here. The Minnesota Vikings have released their final 53-man roster for the 2025 NFL season, and it features a lot of players who many were expecting to stick around.

However, Minnesota's final roster isn't completely free of surprises, and there are definitely plenty of questions that the team still needs to answer after revealing which players they are keeping.

It's also certainly possible that a few members of the Vikings' initial 53-man roster won't be around by the time the team takes the field for their regular-season opener on Monday, September 8th, against the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota Vikings final 53-man roster for the 2025 NFL season

Special Teams

Will Reichard - Kicker
Ryan Wright - Punter
Andrew DePaola - Long Snapper

Analysis: Zero surprises when it comes to special teams for Minnesota this year. Ryan Wright's job was in question for a little bit this summer, but his skills as a holder kept him safe as a member of the Vikings for at least one more season.

Defense

Defensive Linemen

Jonathan Allen
Javon Hargrave
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Rookie)
Jalen Redmond
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Elijah Williams (Rookie)

Edge Rushers

Jonathan Greenard
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Bo Richter
Chaz Chambliss (Rookie)

Inside Linebackers

Blake Cashman
Ivan Pace Jr.
Eric Wilson
Kobe King (Rookie)
Austin Keys (Rookie)

Cornerbacks

Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
Jeff Okudah
Dwight McGlothern

Safeties

Harrison Smith
Josh Metellus
Theo Jackson
Jay Ward
Tavierre Thomas

Analysis: Following the recent trades of Harrison Phillips and Mekhi Blackmon, there wasn't much room left for Minnesota to generate shock with its defensive roster decisions on Tuesday.

Despite the lack of shock, the Vikings still have to figure out how they want the depth of their cornerback room to look before the start of the 2025 season. Minnesota has been optimistic about Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah this offseason, but after Byron Murphy Jr., nothing is even close to certain when it comes to what to expect from the team's corners this year.

Don't be surprised if the Vikings sign or trade for a veteran cornerback in the near future.

Offense

Quarterbacks

J.J. McCarthy
Max Brosmer (Rookie)
Carson Wentz

Running Backs

Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Ty Chandler
Zavier Scott

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson
Jalen Nailor
Tai Felton (Rookie)
Tim Jones
Myles Price

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Ben Yurosek (Rookie)

Offensive Linemen

Christian Darrisaw - LT
Donovan Jackson - LG (Rookie)
Ryan Kelly - C
Will Fries - RG
Brian O'Neill - RT

Blake Brandel
Walter Rouse
Joe Huber (Rookie)
Michael Jurgens
Justin Skule

Analysis: Minnesota had a ton of questions about its group of wide receivers heading into Tuesday, and after the release of the team's final 2025 roster, just about all of those questions are still waiting to be answered.

It seemed like the Vikings were going to solve some of their receiver problems by trading with the Carolina Panthers to acquire former Minnesota pass-catcher Adam Thielen. But the chances of that deal happening seem to be getting smaller and smaller as each day goes by.

As is the case with their cornerbacks, expect the Vikings to sign or trade for another wide receiver or two before the start of the 2025 regular season.

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