Ranking the Vikings against every NFC North roster in 7 key categories

The Minnesota Vikings will open the 2026 season against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and it’s fitting they’re opening with a battle against a divisional foe. The NFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football entering this year and after the division was separated by two games in the standings last year, there should be plenty of battles heading into the fall.

While the division will be decided on the field, fans won’t be able to wait as they see how they stack up against their rivals. For the Vikings, that’s a complicated task but one that can be sorted out in seven categories.

Quarterbacks

The Vikings predictably are a step behind their rivals at quarterback because Kyler Murray is one giant mystery box. While he has the talent to provide the baseline Kevin O’Connell wants in his signal-caller, he also gets a tough draw, stepping into a division with three former No. 1 overall picks and another that was taken in the first round.

In this exercise, Goff gets the nod because of his consistency. Love also ranks second because of his overall performance, but injuries have him a step out of the top spot. Like Murray, Williams is talented enough to climb the rankings as the season moves along, and it will be one of the biggest storylines to watch in the North this season.

Running Backs

The Vikings have bragged about their revamped running game, which is led by new offensive line coach Keith Carter and assistant head coach Frank Smith. But they’re relying on the same faces to keep the chains moving, including Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones.

Mason has slimmed down and looks ready to take on his role this year. But Aaron Jones brings big questions entering his age-32 season, and rookie Demond Claiborne looks a ways away from contributing after a tough preseason.

The good news is that the rest of the division has similar questions. Jahmyr Gibbs is the best back in the division, but the Lions' depth behind him took a hit after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are the best duo in the division, and the Packers have significant questions after Josh Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last week.

Pass Catchers

If there’s one area the Vikings have a significant advantage, it’s in their receivers and tight ends. This will happen when you have Justin Jefferson as your top receiver, but there’s also quality depth behind him with Jordan Addison and free-agent pickup Jauan Jennings. Although T.J. Hockenson has struggled since tearing his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve 2023, he can also be capable of being a key target, and it’s a deep group compared to the rest of the division.

The Lions have a case to overtake the Vikings, with one of the game’s elite possession receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown, a top deep threat in Jameson Williams, and a strong tight end in Sam LaPorta. But Isaac TeSlaa remains a projection at this point in his career, though he could break out in his second season.

The Bears have a young group that’s strong at tight end with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. But while Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III have potential, they’ll need to show it after Chicago traded D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

Finally, the Packers have a top tight end in Tucker Kraft, but he’s coming off a torn ACL. Even if he returns to form, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are frequent visitors to the blue medical tent, making Love a player that must carry this group.

Offensive Line

The Vikings hope their offensive line plays better than it did a year ago, and the biggest difference may be a healthy Christian Darrisaw. Will Fries is another year removed from a broken tibia suffered during the 2024 season, per Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller, and Donovan Jackson should take another step forward.

Brian O’Neill’s leadership is also a good thing to have at right tackle, but the biggest question is at center. With Blake Brandel still learning the position, it could be the weak link that defenses exploit or the poor snap that takes points off the board.

Meanwhile, the Bears have the class of the division led by reigning Protector of the Year Award winner Joe Thuney and right tackle Darnell Wright. The Lions have an elite left tackle in Penei Sewell but have questions elsewhere, including first-round pick Blake Miller. The Packers have even more questions as they’ve been coy about the status of Zach Bako-Bewele and Aaron Banks for Week 1.

Front Seven

The Vikings have some intrigue over their front seven going into the season. Dallas Turner looks ready to fill Jonathan Greenard’s shoes, and Andrew Van Ginkel’s intelligence is a versatile weapon that is maximized by Brian Flores. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson have been joined by versatile rookie Jake Golday, but the biggest questions will be on the defensive line.

Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were sent packing after underwhelming seasons in Minnesota, and while Jalen Redmond stepped in, there are big questions at the other two spots. According to Ourlads, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez are in starting roles, but the success could depend on how quickly rookies Domonique Orange and Caleb Banks get up to speed.

The rest of the division would look very different if Micah Parsons were healthy, but the Packers must figure out how to pressure the quarterback in the short-term. The Lions have a similar game-changer in Aidan Hutchinson as well as an elite linebacker in Jack Campbell, and the Bears feel like they’re treading water until they can find someone to step up.

Secondary

Harrison Smith’s return helps the Vikings' cause, and while they don’t have household names at cornerback, they benefit from the sum of Flores’s defense. Josh Metellus is also a versatile chess piece in a defense filled with them, and there’s some upside behind Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre if fifth-round pick Chuck Demmings continues his training camp hype.

Looking at the rest of the division, the Vikings are in a good spot. Detroit is missing its two top safeties as Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph recover from injury, and they lost a starting cornerback with the release of Terrion Arnold. The injury bug also bit the Bears, knocking Coby Bryant out for the next 4-6 months, and Keisean Nixon may be the weakest part of the Packers' secondary as they rely on second-round pick Brandon Cisse to hold down the other starting spot.

Schedule

The final spot dates back to the Vikings' win over the Lions last Christmas. While many were having a joyous holiday as Max Brosmer struggled to get over 50 yards passing, the Vikings were throwing their shot at an easier schedule out the window and giving it to the Lions.

Per Sharp Football Analysis, the Lions have the easiest schedule in the NFL because of that loss, one that would have left the Vikings sitting fifth had they lost that game. Instead, the Vikings are in the middle of the pack at No. 15, while Green Bay ranks No. 24 and Chicago ranks No. 26.

Final Standings

After going position by position, fans will want to know who has the advantage going into next season. Using a four-point scale for first place and one point for last place, the Lions have the advantage, with the Vikings coming in second. The Packers and the Bears will duke it out for last place in this exercise, but it’s likely to be close with all four teams fielding competitive rosters coming into the year.

Whatever happens, it’s sure to be entertaining and it gives the Vikings a good chance to rebound from their 2025 disaster.

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