The Minnesota Vikings are entering the final phase of the 2026 offseason, where things are going to go dark with the players and coaches off until training camp gets underway in over a month.
Things will be quiet for a bit, but that doesn't mean things can't get done before the 2026 season gets underway for them. Bleacher Report writer Brent Sobleski recently named three things the Vikings still need to get done before the 2026 season starts.
- Name Kyler Murray the starting quarterback
- Move on from Harrison Smith
- Extend Brian O'Neill's contract
Minnesota Vikings must mark off three things off their list before Week 1
Murray, being the starting quarterback, feels like the worst-kept secret in the NFL right now as the stars align for him to take the job. J.J. McCarthy struggled on and off last season in his first full season as the starter, leaving much doubt about his future with the franchise.
The Vikings didn't bring Murray in to sit behind McCarthy; he is here to take over the job and get Minnesota to make the leap they should have made last season.
As for the second name on the list, Smith, it does feel like a change of the guard needs to occur with the Vikings' defense in general. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a younger defense, especially on the defensive line, but needs to start getting some youth in the secondary.
Rookie third-round pick Jakobe Thomas feels like the perfect long-term replacement for Smith, even if he needs some time to develop. The Vikings have to get younger back there and get the right pieces in the secondary, as this was way overdue and should have started last season.
With an offensive line that was inconsistent last year with injuries and up-and-down play, O'Neill feels like the one constant on the line despite missing three games last year.
He still managed to have a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.6, ranking 13th among 89 eligible offensive tackles in the NFL last year. The two-time Pro Bowler is in the last year of his contract, and even at 30, he should still get a long-term deal to stay, as young tackles like Donovan Jackson can still learn and develop with him.
These final three things to get done feel like they are obvious to every Vikings fan, but they have to get done if the franchise wants to be in the right position entering the 2026 season.
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