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3 Vikings Roster Areas Are about to Face Extreme Attention

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Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell in 2024 at PHI
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speak after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason is in full motion, evidenced by the termination of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nine days ago. Things are changing. The club will embark on free agency in one month and the NFL draft in April. Expect three roster areas to get love and garner all the attention.

Minnesota’s offseason hinges on stabilizing the secondary and clarifying the QB room, with free agency and the draft both in play.

There is a litany of depth roster teams, as many teams encounter in February, but these are the biggies.

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Three Vikings Roster Areas Drawing Special Attention in 2026

It’s a three-horse race for Minnesota’s paramount roster need.

Cardinals defenders Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker warm up before a game. Vikings roster needs 2026.
Arizona Cardinals defensive backs Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker go through pregame warmups in Glendale, with the scene set on Sept. 19, 2021, as Arizona prepared to face Minnesota while the duo loosened up, communicated alignments, and set coverage expectations ahead of the interconference matchup at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

1. Safety

Who’s Under Contract in 2026:

  • Josh Metellus
  • Theo Jackson
  • Jay Ward
  • Kahlef Hailassie

The 2025 campaign might have been the end of the road for Harrison Smith, and if so, the Vikings will need an immediate replacement, mainly because Lewis Cine didn’t work out four years ago.

In theory, Brian Flores might be able to get by with Metellus, Jackson, and Ward. That just doesn’t feel likely, though. From free agency or the draft, Minnesota needs a Smith replacement if he walks away.

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It’s also worth mentioning that Smith could return one more time with Flores back in the saddle as defensive coordinator, allowing Minnesota to push the safety timeline in 2027.

SKOR North‘s Judd Zulgad noted on Smith this week, “There remains no word on Smith’s plans, and that leaves the door ajar for the recently turned 38-year-old to continue playing. What could influence him? Many veterans will tell you that at the end of the season — and the few weeks that follow — that they give thought to walking away.

“This is a brutal sport, and the nearly constant in-season grind makes retirement seem attractive. Those same veterans will acknowledge that as they get into the offseason their minds drift toward what they love about the game. The camaraderie that comes from being in the locker room, the thrill of competing on game day, the ability to play a kids’ game into their 30s.”

Who the Vikings Could Target:

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  • Dane Belton (NYG)
  • Reed Blankenship (PHI)
  • Nick Cross (IND)
  • Andre Cisco (NYJ)
  • Alohi Gilman (BAL)
  • Jalen Thompson (ARI)
  • Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Rookie, Toledo)
  • Dillon Thieneman (Rookie, Oregon)

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis recommended Thompson this week: “If Harrison Smith retires, safety will be one of the team’s primary needs for 2026. Thompson is similar to Mays. He’s only 27 and has played for the Arizona Cardinals since 2019. He has the smarts to man the controls for Flores’ defense, and his athleticism would help the Vikings stick with receivers on the back end.”

“There are plenty of enticing free-agent safeties. The Los Angeles Rams’ Kamren Curl feels like a perfect player for Flores’ system, but Minnesota might be priced out of a rangy ball hawk like him.”

2. Cornerback

Who’s Under Contract in 2026:

  • Byron Murphy Jr.
  • Isaiah Rodgers
  • Dwight McGlothern
  • Zemaiah Vaughn

Vikings fans have yearned for a productive young cornerback from the draft since the days of Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander — guys drafted a decade ago. In fact, various Vikings general managers have swung and missed on virtually all cornerbacks in the draft, to the tune of eight and hopefully none counting.

The purple team limped into 2025 with an extremely skimpy CB room, got away with it, and will probably take measures to get deeper at the roster spot in 2026. Remarkably, Murphy Jr. and Rodgers didn’t miss a single game in 2025.

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Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott intercepts a pass at MetLife Stadium.
New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott secures a fourth-quarter interception at MetLife Stadium, with the play occurring on Oct. 9, 2025, as Flott undercut the route and took away a throw intended for Philadelphia wide receiver Jahan Dotson during a tense late-game sequence as momentum swung sharply in the final minutes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

Who the Vikings Could Target:

  • Montaric Brown (JAX)
  • Cordale Flott (NYG)
  • Greg Newsome II (JAX)
  • Alontae Taylor (NO)
  • Jaylen Watson (KC)
  • Tariq Woolen (SEA)
  • Aveion Terrell (Rookie, Clemson)
  • Brandon Cisse (Rookie, South Carolina)
  • Colton Hood (Rookie, Tennessee)
  • Jermod McCoy (Rookie, Tennessee)
  • Mansoor Delane (Rookie, LSU)

3. Quarterback

Who’s Under Contract in 2026:

  • J.J. McCarthy
  • Max Brosmer

This one is for all the marbles. Minnesota will likely enter 2026 with McCarthy somewhere on the roster, but he’s no longer guaranteed a starter’s job “just because.”

McCarthy has played in 30% of Vikings games since joining the team in 2024. That isn’t enough. He’s officially injury-prone. And in his first season as a starter, he played about five good games, missed seven due to injury, and played poorly in the other five contests.

Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. tackles Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. brings down Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Soldier Field, with the contact happening on Sep. 8, 2025, as Chicago’s interior pressure collapsed the pocket and ended the play during first-half action amid early drives, crowd noise, and shifting protection calls on a critical snap. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images.

Whether it’s a competition this summer or just an insurance policy, Kevin O’Connell will add a quarterback or two from this list:

Who the Vikings Could Target:

  • Teddy Bridgewater
  • Jake Browning
  • Jimmy Garoppolo
  • Joe Flacco
  • Case Keenum
  • Daniel Jones
  • Marcus Mariota
  • Gardner Minshew
  • Kenny Pickett
  • Aaron Rodgers
  • Tyrod Taylor
  • Mitchell Trubisky
  • Carson Wentz
  • Malik Willis
  • Russell Wilson
  • Zach Wilson
  • Mac Jones (trade)
  • Will Levis (trade)
  • Drew Lock (trade)
  • Davis Mills (trade)
  • Jalen Milroe (trade)
  • Kyler Murray (trade)
  • Spencer Rattler (trade)
  • Anthony Richardson (trade)
  • Tua Tagovailoa (trade)
  • Jameis Winston (trade)

NFL free agency gets underway in four weeks.


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Roy Jones says world champion will surpass Mayweather because ‘he doesn’t duck anyone’

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There aren’t many fighters that are deemed to be superior to Floyd Mayweather but Roy Jones Jr believes there is one active fighter who claims that accolade.

Mayweather called time on his illustrious career in 2017 having put together a perfect 50-0 record along with world title reigns in five divisions from super-featherweight to super-welterweight.

He also defeated some of the biggest names in the sport, including the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, though one criticism by some fans of Mayweather is he was tactical with deciding when and who to fight.

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Because of that, boxing legend Jones Jr has explained to Fight Hub TV why he thinks unbeaten star Shakur Stevenson has eclipsed Mayweather.

“He is [the Mayweather of this era], he’s not giving guys any chance to beat him but the difference with him [Shakur] is he’s fighting everybody. He’s not ducking and dodging. He’s fighting everybody and that’s a bit different.

“He could be Floyd Mayweather [in terms of] not getting beat in his era, but the difference to Floyd is he’s willing to take on the big challenge, and he’s also getting the right money for it early in his career.”

Stevenson became a four-weight world champion last month when he defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO super-lightweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York, going alongside his previous triumphs at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.

He also holds impressive wins over fighters such as William Zepeda and Oscar Valdez during his career, and at just 28-years-old, time is well and truly on his side for Stevenson to continue to add to his already impressive resume.

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How to complete the Searching for a Spy side quest

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The Searching for a Spy side quest is one of the many missions you encounter in the Nioh 3 storyline. In this mission, you need to help Hattori Hanzo search for a spy. While the objective sounds simple, one section of the mission puts you in front of a locked door with no alternate path. This can make the quest challenging for many players, especially beginners.

If you are facing difficulty completing the Searching for a Spy side quest in Nioh 3, here is a detailed article to help you out.

Read more: How to complete the Unwavering Hope side quest


How to unlock the Searching for a Spy side quest in Nioh 3

Location to find Hattori Hanzo (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)Location to find Hattori Hanzo (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)
Location to find Hattori Hanzo (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)

As mentioned earlier, you will unlock the Searching for a Spy side quest in Nioh 3 after you meet Hattori Hanzo. To find him, visit Futamata to encounter him on the roof of a house. Additionally, you can use the Tealeaf Village fast travel point. The image attached above will help you reach the precise location.


How to complete the Searching for a Spy side quest in Nioh 3

Learn the objective of the Searching for a Spy quest (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)Learn the objective of the Searching for a Spy quest (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)
Learn the objective of the Searching for a Spy quest (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)

Once you get the quest, your objective is to help Hattori Hanzo look for a spy. For this, you need to take the stairs going down to the village. After that, take the path on your right to reach uphill. At the intersection, turn left to arrive in front of a closed door at the very end. Upon interacting with it, you will learn that it is closed and requires a key.


How to find the Abandoned Shrine Key in Nioh 3

You will find the door closed (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)You will find the door closed (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)
You will find the door closed (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)

You need a key to open the shrine’s door. To obtain it, head down the path on your immediate right. When you see stairs on your left, go up them. Then turn right and walk straight to the end. Once there, you will find another set of stairs going down. At the midway point, you will come across a fallen soldier. Interact with the body to collect the Abandoned Shrine Key.

Obtain the Abandoned Shrine Key (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)Obtain the Abandoned Shrine Key (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)
Obtain the Abandoned Shrine Key (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)

After retrieving the key, jump down and follow the path on your right. At the very end, you will reach the door again. Now, use the shrine key to open it and go through. Once inside, climb the stairs to reach the courtyard. Since this area will be full of enemies, you need to clear them out.

Defeat the enemies to wrap up the mission (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)Defeat the enemies to wrap up the mission (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)
Defeat the enemies to wrap up the mission (Image via Koei Tecmo || Sportskeeda Gaming)

After you defeat the first wave, another will appear. In this group, you also need to defeat the yokai Kyokotsu. Once you eliminate all enemies, interact with Hattori Hanzo to complete the Searching for a Spy side quest in Nioh 3.


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