The Most Important Rumblings around the Vikings Right Now

The Minnesota Vikings will embark on the draft in 26 days, scheduled to pick nine new players from April 23rd to 25th. To get you ready for April, here’s a look at the main rumblings in Minnesota’s orbit right now.

Minnesota has no shortage of storylines as the draft gets closer.

The items below are ranked in order of importance (No. 1 = most important).

The Loudest Vikings Chatter Covers the Roster From Top to Bottom

Fasten your seatbelt for a busy Vikings-themed April.

Minnesota Is Scouting Early-Mid Round RBs and WRs

The Vikings are doing homework on running backs and wide receivers who are expected to be selected between Round 2 and 4, including men like Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington), Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska), and Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State), to name a few.

In addition to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jordan Mason near the top of the playmaking ticket, the “extra” guys are Aaron Jones and Tai Felton. Conventional logic suggests that’s not enough. Visiting with mid-round playmakers suggests 2nd, 3rd, or 4th (if there’s a trade) weaponry is on the way.

After all, the Vikings have signed exactly zero new running backs and wide receivers in free agency.

Harrison Smith Will Probably Be Back

This one is straightforward: if Smith were planning to retire, why hasn’t he done it? The Vikings announced the retirements of Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham, even submitting the paperwork. There was no Smith retirement paperwork.

Every day that passes is a hint that Smith will return for one more ride. The Vikings have also signed zero free-agent safeties. If they believed Smith was a goner, they likely would’ve added a new safety, at least for depth’s sake.

Vikings Will Probably Lock in Jordan Addison’s 5th-Year Option

Indeed, Addison’s rap sheet since turning pro is splotchy and discouraging, but he’s one of the Vikings’ few draft successes in the last half-decade. His antics may also drive his extension price tag down just a bit, and it’s all his fault.

Minnesota let Jalen Nailor walk in free agency, and as mentioned above, signed no replacements. All signs point to an Addison fifth-year contract option, while possibly leaving the extension until next offseason.

Had the Vikings inked Nailor to an expensive new deal or signed a free agent like Romeo Doubs, the Addison forecast would be different. But interim general manager Rob Brzezinski did the opposite.

Defense Will Be on the Menu Early in the Draft

In the last three drafts, the Vikings have spent three of four eligible 1st-Rounders on offensive players: Addison, J.J. McCarthy, and Donovan Jackson. It’s probably time to even the score.

Meanwhile, Minnesota has roster needs at safety, cornerback, and defensive tackle, and those three spots could be the top priorities. So long as the Vikings don’t lean full tilt into the “best player available” philosophy with a tight end like Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, a defensive player will likely be the first pick in the draft.

Popular names include Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon), Peter Woods (DT, Clemson), Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson), and Emmanuel McNeill-Warren (S, Toledo).

J.J. McCarthy Isn’t Going Anywhere

The moment the Vikings added two new quarterbacks — Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz — some folks panicked, thinking McCarthy would be on the trade block, merely because two new players at this position entered the fold.

But then cooler heads prevailed, with the masses realizing that McCarthy is just 23 years old, he probably understands that his injury track record is concerning, and he is mature enough to handle a year behind Murray. Minnesota has spoken positively about McCarthy this offseason; it’s going to have the best of both worlds — Murray in town on an abnormally cheap contract, and McCarthy ready and waiting to re-prove himself.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about McCarthy in January, “J.J. McCarthy is a guy that wants to be great. I know he’s going to work tirelessly to do that. I know his teammates have a lot of confidence in what he’s going to go to work to improve on this offseason and come back and have a great offseason and be ready to hit the ground running in 2026.

“But I think a deep and talented quarterback room will only enhance his ability to do that, and I look forward to being a part of that process.”

Jonathan Greenard Likely to Stay Put

Greenard’s recent social media activity — posting pictures and videos of himself in Vikings gear making plays — has fueled speculation about a contract extension. A photo he shared from inside the team’s headquarters in Eagan further intensified this speculation, as it seems unlikely he would be spending time there if a trade were imminent.

The internet has since been abuzz, analyzing every detail to determine Greenard’s future with the team. The prevailing sentiment is that Minnesota intends to retain its 2024 Pro Bowl pass rusher and finalize an extension.

This outcome seemed plausible even when trade rumors initially surfaced. The Vikings’ acquisition of the aforementioned Murray wasn’t a cost-cutting measure indicative of a roster purge. Instead, it signaled Minnesota’s belief that they can contend for a playoff spot in 2026 and potentially achieve even greater success.

If that is indeed the plan — as many within the organization have indicated — contending teams typically don’t trade away their top pass rushers.

Reportedly, Minnesota’s asking price for Greenard in trade discussions was a 2nd-round pick, but no deal materialized. As it stands, a return for Year 3 in Minnesota appears to be the most probable scenario.

Of course, should circumstances change, Dallas Turner, following his late-season breakout in 2025, is waiting as a potential replacement for Greenard.