The Minnesota Vikings are down to their 53-man roster with two weeks left before the 2026 season begins, and the cutdown day chaos around the league has opened a fresh shopping list.
More than 1,000 players were released or waived across the NFL, giving Minnesota a chance to look for quick fixes and useful depth at a few spots. The roster already had its share of surprises, including the decision to keep quarterback J.J. McCarthy on board, but the work may not be done yet.
One obvious name to monitor is Greg Dortch, a slot receiver the Vikings could plug into the passing game right away. Listed with the Detroit Lions, Dortch spent the last five years with Kyler Murray in Arizona, and that connection showed up in the numbers: 145 catches, 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns in 66 games. Minnesota would have a clear use for another reliable slot option, and Dortch could give Murray a familiar target as he settles in as the new starter.
Another receiver who makes sense is K.J. Osborn, who is suddenly back on the market after his time with the Tennessee Titans.
Osborn spent four seasons in Minnesota and produced 158 receptions for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns. He hasn’t done much since leaving, which makes a reunion worth considering for both sides.
The Vikings would get a veteran depth piece, and Osborn would have a chance to get his career moving again in a place he already knows.
Up front, Sam Williams is the kind of edge rusher Minnesota could stash into the rotation. The former Dallas Cowboy has 9.5 sacks in four seasons and missed 2024 with an ACL injury, but the tools are there. With Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner leading the way, the Vikings could still use another body off the edge, and Williams might fit nicely in Brian Flores’ defense as a third rusher type.
There’s also a potential answer in the secondary with Trevon Diggs. He was one of the more surprising cuts by the Seattle Seahawks, though Seattle plans to bring him back on the practice squad.
Even so, the door is open for Minnesota to get involved at a position that could use more depth. Byron Murphy Jr. is solid, but the Vikings are still leaning on Charles Demmings and James Pierre despite strong camps.
Diggs would bring outside corner ability, even if the consistency isn’t always there, and the Stefon Diggs connection gives the idea an added wrinkle.
At safety, Geno Stone stands out after the Vikings lost Jamal Adams for the season because of a quad injury. Harrison Smith has been floated as a possible signing, but that move still hasn’t happened, and fans probably shouldn’t expect it anytime soon.
Stone has started for the Cincinnati Bengals over the last two years and was a bit of a surprise cut by the Buffalo Bills. If Minnesota wants dependable depth, he checks that box.
One more name worth mentioning is Lynch, another former Viking who could fit into the mix. He began his career in Minnesota and has carved out a solid path as a backup since then.
The Bears were impressed with him in camp and his release caught some people off guard, but they also intend to bring him back to the active roster. Even so, he’s the kind of player the Vikings could try to swipe and add to the defensive line rotation.
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Vikings Just Created A New Offensive Line Roster Squeeze
The Vikings kept working the waiver wire after the 11 a.m. Central deadline, claiming center Nick Samac and guard Trevor Keegan to add even more competition up front. Samac arrives after stops with the Ravens and Panthers, while Keegan comes over after time with the Eagles and Cowboys, giving Minnesota two more interior line options at a position group that has already been under the microscope.
What comes next is the part worth watching, because the team has not yet announced the corresponding roster moves needed to make room on the 53-man roster. With two new linemen in the building and limited space to sort through, Minnesota has created a fresh numbers crunch, and the decisions it makes now will say plenty about how it wants to stabilize the offensive line heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Fans Already Have Plenty To Debate In Nolan Teasleys First Roster
The Vikings have their final 53-man roster for the 2026 season, and it gives fans an early look at how new general manager Nolan Teasley wants to shape the team after taking over in May. Cut day always brings its share of surprises, but this one carries extra weight because Teasley had the final say on every move, from the rookies who made it through to the players who landed on the reserve/injured list.
For Minnesota, the roster is more than a paperwork milestone. It is the first real glimpse of Teasleys priorities and the first chance for fans to argue over what he values most in building the team. Some of those choices will look sensible right away, others may take time to sort out, and a few will almost certainly fuel debate long after the roster was posted. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings 53-Man Roster Leaves One Immediate J.J. McCarthy Question
The Vikings trimmed down to their initial 53-man roster, and the quarterback room remains one of the most closely watched parts of the team heading into the regular season. Minnesota kept four passers on the roster mix, with Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer all still in the picture, while other moves around the roster included several cuts and a few players shifting to reserve lists.
For McCarthy, the immediate question is how the Vikings plan to sort out the quarterback situation from here, especially with so many bodies still attached to the position. Elsewhere, the roster math brought some tough decisions, including Tyler Batty landing on a season-ending injured designation and Jeshaun Jones unavailable for the first three games, all of which adds another layer to how Minnesota enters the season opener. [Read more 🡒]