The Vikings’ three-game preseason slate, which wrapped up with a 34-6 loss on Friday in Denver, was an ugly mess that only slightly resembled NFL football. After a 13-10 win over the Giants in the opener, they lost the next two games by a combined score of 47 to 9.
In 12 quarters, the Vikings scored one offensive touchdown, Myles Price’s one-handed grab in the first game. Of their 30 total possessions, 23 ended in a punt, turnover, or turnover on downs. The defense was good in the first two games before falling apart against the Broncos, who racked up 412 yards (88 of which came on a play where nobody covered tight end Justin Joly deep downfield).
The Vikings also committed 23 penalties in the three games, adding to the unpleasantness of the viewing experience.
Does it mean anything? The short answer is probably not. Justin Jefferson didn’t play a single snap. Kyler Murray and the Vikings’ other offensive starters played the first nine in game one. The top nine players on defense played six snaps or fewer. These preseason games were played by backups and, maybe to an even larger extent, by third and fourth-string players, many of whom will not be on Sunday’s initial 53-man roster.
The 2022 Vikings went 0-3 in the preseason and then won 13 regular season games. The Vikings had another winless preseason in 2023, then went 3-0 in 2024 ahead of a great regular season. This was their second straight year going 1-2. The 2008 Detroit Lions were famously 4-0 in the preseason before their 0-16 season.
If there is one broad thing these three games could mean, it’s that the Vikings’ season will hinge on their starters staying healthy. That is, of course, true for any NFL team. But the depth situation feels particularly precarious for the Vikings, who simply did not draft well (especially after the first round) in the four years of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era.
J.J. McCarthy’s poor preseason and latest injury concern — he didn’t play on Friday night because of an ankle issue — means Carson Wentz is almost certainly the Vikings’ backup quarterback. Wentz was serviceable over the three games while playing with fellow backups, but he didn’t do a whole lot to suggest that the Vikings will be fine if Kyler Murray misses time.
Likewise, the Vikings’ depth on the offensive line, at running back, and at a few spots on defense leaves plenty to be desired.
With that said, there were some players who took advantage of their opportunities in the preseason and boosted their stock ahead of cutdown day and the regular season. These are a few players who stood out:
- Jacob Thomas, S
- Myles Price, WR
Jacob Roberts, LB
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.Elijah Williams, DT
Chaz Chambliss, LB
Zemaiah Vaughn, CB
Walter Rouse, OL
Joe Huber, OL
With the preseason in the rearview mirror, the Vikings’ next task is to bring their roster down from 90 players to 53 and a 16-man practice squad. From there, all eyes turn towards September 13, when the Packers come to U.S. Bank Stadium and we get our first real look at the 2026 Vikings.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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