Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell gave Minnesota fans a brief look at the 2026 team in Saturday’s exhibition opener, playing most of the starters in the first quarter of the Vikings’ 13-10 win over the the Giants.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson didn’t suit up, and Minnesota lost a key defensive piece in the victory.
Here are the key takeaways from Act 1 of the 2026 preseason:
Vikings lose Adams
Jamal Adams was already making his impact early in Saturday’s preseason opener in New York.
The Vikings defensive utility piece darted through on a blitz for a tackle for loss on a Giants’ shotgun run in the first quarter.
Then disaster struck. Adams was covering a shallow route in the red zone early in the second quarter when, with minimum to no contact, he went down to the ground with an apparent leg injury.
After a lengthy period in the medical tent, Adams was taken off the field in a cart. Reports indicated numerous defensive teammates — as well as defensive coordinator Brian Flores and head coach Kevin O’Connell — made their way over to check on Adams prior to his departure.
The MetLife Stadium turf has been highly criticized in recent years as it has been a frequent site for ligament injuries.
Adams, a veteran safety whose career had been derailed by a serious quad injury, signed with the Vikings at the end of July. The Vikings quickly announced Adams wouldn’t return to Saturday’s game, but didn’t provide any other updates during the contest.
O’Connell told the broadcast at halftime he’s “just crushed” for Adams.
“The role he was kind of paving for himself and just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time,” O’Connell said, “we’re going to miss him.”
Running game shines
The running game has been a major talking point in training camp for Minnesota after Frank Smith was brought in as assistant head coach to revamp the rushing attack with a lean toward a zone-style scheme.
The positive camp results stemming from the shift carried over to the first drive against the Giants. Aaron Jones took a stretch handoff left for 18 yards on the opening play from scrimmage.
Later in the drive, Mason quickly found a cutback lane up the middle on what looked to be a designed stretch and rumbled for 15 yards.
The chunk plays were a welcome sign for a team that touted just seven runs of 20-plus yards last season – seventh-lowest in the NFL. Mason’s longest rush last season was 24 yards, while Jones’ was 31.
But it is worth noting the Giants sported the league’s worst rushing defense a year ago, surrendering 5.3 yards per carry. New York also didn’t play its full allotment of defensive starters Saturday.
Jones was the starter for Minnesota, but he and Mason split the work largely split the work last season, and each back received three carries on the first drive Saturday.
Kyler in control
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 15: Kyler Murray #1 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball against the New York Giants during a pre-season game at MetLife Stadium on August 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
There wasn’t much to write home about in Murray’s first start for Minnesota, as the Vikings did lean so heavily into the run game on quarterback’s lone drive.
But Murray was in control of the offense, hitting a play-action pass for a short gain and making his highlight of the day by connecting with Jordan Addison on an eight-yard out route to move the chains on third down.
Murray went 2 for 3. His lone incompletion was a third-down pass to Jones that was outside the numbers but bounced off the running back’s hands, forcing the Vikings to send out the field goal unit.
McCarthy can’t move offense
J.J. McCarthy quarterbacked the final three series of the half for Minnesota, and failed to manufacture any points.
There was inconsistency with decision making and ball movement, but a lack of protection up front, a dropped pass and penalties did McCarthy no favors.
Offensive standouts
Carson Wentz relieved McCarthy to open the second half and led a 57-yard march that resulted in three points on Minnesota’s first drive of the third quarter, and capitalized on a Giants’ turnover for a touchdown pass to Myles Price on the following possession.
Price hauled in the one-yard fade route with one hand. The second-year wideout hauled in all four targets for 51 yards and a score Saturday.
Wentz also threw a third-down strike into a tight window on a rollout to Marshall Lang to help put the game on ice in the final two minutes. The veteran signal caller finished 9 for 14 for 81 yards and a score.
Defense surrenders six
Minnesota’s starting defense played well in totality Saturday, limiting the Giants’ run game while sacking Jaxson Dart twice.
But a key breakdown – a 3rd and 23 screen the Vikings allowed to go for 40 yards – keyed New York’s lone first-half touchdown drive, which ended with Dart getting outside the pocket and lofting a pass up to Malachi Fields, who beat Ivan Pace Jr. on a contested ball for the 15-yard scoring strike.
Other notes
Second-year quarterback Max Brosmer played just one series before exiting with an apparent hand or wrist injury, which forced Wentz back into the game.
Will Reichard went 2 for 2 on field goal attempts, hitting a long of 54 yards.
Jacob Roberts and Jacob Thomas each recorded second-half interceptions off Giants’ third-string quarterback Brandon Allen.