3 Vikings Who Could Leave Next Year if the 2026 Season Fizzles

If the Vikings fizzle in the upcoming season, then change will be afoot. 3 Vikings stand out above the rest.

Most notably, there’s going to be the quarterback position to consider. Does anyone within the quartet — Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer — get kept around in the event of underperformance? Others from within the organization seem like candidates to take off if there isn’t true success in the upcoming season.

3 Vikings Set to Depart if 2026 Flops

No. 1 — WR Justin Jefferson

Not very often, folks, does a receiver who is so tremendous show so much patience.

There’s no sense of exaggeration when saying that Justin Jefferson is a historic talent. What he has done in his opening six seasons has been phenomenal — the yards most prominently — especially since the passers have been so varied.

Presumably, there’s going to be an expiration date on his patience. Jefferson is moving into his seventh NFL season and has yet to win a playoff game. The pair of good passers in his career, Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, have been allowed to walk. There’s a pile of pressure on the Vikings to get things figured out in 2026.

A brutal truth: Jefferson probably should ask out if Minnesota can’t elevate to his level.

No. 2 — HC Kevin O’Connell

Truth be told, Kevin O’Connell is sitting on the hot seat. The Wilfs, like Jefferson, are patient, but they’ll want actual results at some point.

O’Connell can commonly be found doing what a company man does: saying the correct things. He’s good in front of the microphone as he praises the fans and compliments the ownership. So, too, does he make a consistent effort to praise his guys as he maintains an upbeat, positive personality.

The cold reality: he’s 0-2 in the playoffs.

Kevin O’Connell is a good football coach. The Vikings will fire him in a year or two if he can’t show that he’s a great football coach who can win in the playoffs.

No. 3 — A Pile of Veteran Mainstays

Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is a football cyborg. He’s moving into the final year of his contract. Extending him after a failed season would be odd given that he’s an older player.

Consider some others working in a contract year:

• LB Blake Cashman
• CB Isaiah Rodgers
• WR Jauan Jennings
• QB Kyler Murray
• RB Aaron Jones
• TE T.J. Hockenson
• C Blake Brandel
• LB Ivan Pace Jr.
• RB Jordan Mason

Other players would be plausible cut candidates, such as S Theo Jackson, S Josh Metellus, CB James Pierre, and various others. In short, the final player isn’t a player at all. Rather, the final player is a collection of guys in their prime or a touch later in their careers who could get moved out in favor of a rebuild.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.