Vikings Offseason Priorities: Safety Tops the List as Roster Evaluation Begins
After a disappointing 9-8 finish in 2025, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in unfamiliar territory - on the outside looking in come playoff time, just one year removed from a 14-3 campaign. The regression was steep, and while quarterback instability was the headline issue, the problems ran deeper. As interim GM Rob Brzezinski and his staff begin the heavy lifting of reshaping the 2026 roster, the focus goes well beyond the signal-caller.
With free agency looming and the draft on the horizon, the Vikings are staring down a roster that needs more than just a tune-up. Some positions are thin due to expiring contracts, while others simply didn’t perform to expectation last season. As we break down the team’s needs by position group, one thing becomes clear: safety is at the top of the priority list.
Safety: A Room in Transition
If Harrison Smith decides to hang up the cleats this offseason - and all signs point that way - the Vikings will be losing not just a veteran presence, but their second-most utilized safety in terms of snaps. That’s a massive void, both on the field and in the locker room.
Josh Metellus remains a bright spot. He’s a versatile, instinctive player who thrives when the Vikings deploy three-safety looks.
That alignment allows Metellus to roam, attack downhill, and cover in space - all things he does exceptionally well. But without a third safety to complement him, his role becomes more rigid, and his impact is diminished.
The problem? The depth behind him didn’t hold up in 2025.
Theo Jackson was given a shot to step into a larger role, but the opportunity didn’t translate into production. He eventually lost his starting job, and his struggles in coverage and consistency were hard to ignore.
Jay Ward got more reps late in the season - 128 snaps over the final three games - and while he showed some promise as a tackler, particularly when lined up outside and asked to make plays in the flat, he didn’t exactly lock down the safety role. His best flashes came when he wasn’t playing safety, which says a lot.
So where does that leave Minnesota? If they want to get the most out of Metellus - and they should - they’ll need to reinforce the safety room.
Ideally, they add two players who can contribute meaningful snaps. At minimum, they need one reliable starter to pair with Metellus.
That could be a returning Harrison Smith if he chooses to delay retirement, but if not, the front office will need to look elsewhere.
The good news is that the free agent market at safety is solid this year. There are 18 players who logged at least 50% of their team’s defensive snaps in 2025, which means there’s a pool of experienced talent available. Not every name will be a fit, and not all are plug-and-play starters, but for a team like the Vikings - who don’t need a star, just stability - there are options.
The Bigger Picture
Brian Flores deserves credit for squeezing elite-level play out of a secondary that was often patchwork in nature. His ability to scheme around personnel limitations kept the Vikings competitive on the defensive side of the ball.
But relying on scheme alone only goes so far. If Minnesota wants to take the next step - not just returning to the playoffs but making noise once they get there - they’ll need to give Flores more to work with.
Safety isn’t the only position that needs attention, but it’s one of the most pressing. Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or internal development, the Vikings have to find answers on the back end of their defense. Because if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that even a brilliant defensive mind like Flores can only do so much when the talent cupboard runs thin.