The Minnesota Vikings missing the playoffs following a 14-3 season was not on their bingo card, or the card of fans. As a result, folks will have some anger heading into 2026, especially after seeing Sam Darnold win a Super Bowl immediately after the team chose not to re-sign him and stick with J.J. McCarthy.
However, with so many questions at quarterback and around the roster remaining, can the Vikings actually return to the playoffs? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler discussed every team that missed the playoffs, including the Vikings, and offered suggestions on why they will or won’t make the playoffs in 2026.
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For the argument that they won’t return to the playoffs, it all starts with the quarterback position.
He writes, “The quarterback position remaining a huge question entering the fifth season of this regime is concerning. It looks like Minnesota will add a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Several benched starters have resurrected their careers recently — including Sam Darnold with this franchise — and Minnesota offers a stable environment. But this is the one area holding the team back from major progress. That and an offensive line that couldn’t stay healthy.”
Hitting on the offensive line is also important here for those wanting to defend J.J. McCarthy. The offense line was battered in 2025, and backups like Justin Skule and Blake Brandel had their moments, but never replaced the high-profile players who were hurt. Getting them healthy will not only help the team get a good evaluation of McCarthy, but it will also be just as much a part of them making the playoffs or not.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What is stopping the Vikings from making the playoffs in 2026?