Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a forgettable season, with the team finishing one game above .500 (9-8) and missing the NFL playoffs. This has led to many questions about the franchise’s future and what will likely be an important 2026 NBA Draft.

The Vikings will be on the clock with the No. 18 overall pick on April 23, with some uncertainty on what area of need the team will address once it comes time to make a decision.

Tough Decisions Ahead for Kevin O’Connell & Company

Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings

With the Vikings having an interim general manager in Rob Brzezinski, the decision-making heading into the NFL Draft will likely lean on head coach Kevin O’Connell.

ESPN’s Ben Solak warns O’Connell to tread lightly and not be seduced by the prospect of trading up for a player like tight end Kenyon Sadiq out of the University of Oregon.

Not all of those positions will be optimal at 18, of course. But whenever a coach is in charge of a draft war room, my antennae perk up for aggressive, short-sighted trades that mortgage the future to fill the now. O’Connell’s pride is wounded from the offense’s failures last season, and I could see him tilting into an unnecessary Kenyon Sadiq trade-up accordingly.

The bottom line: Just take a lot of good players. You’ll need them. (Don’t trade up for a shiny offensive toy, Kevin O’Connell.)

It’ll be interesting to see what O’Connell and company decide to do during the draft. It remains to be seen if the Vikings can make the right moves to help get this team back on track as a legitimate force to be reckoned with in the NFC in 2026.

Adam Thielen Shares Interesting Take on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings and Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings

Former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen recently shared his thoughts on quarterback J.J. McCarthy on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast. Thielen believes the young signal-caller is a “winner” with the right mindset.

“I just love his mindset,” Thielen said of McCarthy. “You’re around him for a couple of days and you can feel it. I was able to work with him as a rookie during the offseason when he spent time in Minnesota, and we got the chance to throw and work together a bit.

“Then playing with him, you realize he’s just one of those guys. When you’re around him, you can tell he’s a winner. He understands that competitive edge, that chip on his shoulder, and he carries it with him.”

With McCarthy’s name constantly popping up in trade rumors, the 23-year-old’s future with the Vikings seems to be on shaky ground. The franchise might not be sold on him being the leader needed under center for the long haul.

Another indication of that doubt in McCarthy’s talent was the team bringing in former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, who could be the team’s starting quarterback come Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Only time will tell if McCarthy has a long-term future in Minnesota and what the quarterback position will look like next season.