What We Can Learn about the Vikings in Week 18
It’s the Minnesota Vikings vs the Green Bay Packers in Week 18, and disappointingly for those of a purple persuasion. There’s not a whole lot to play for.
Sunday’s finale against Green Bay provides a final snapshot of Minnesota’s progress, exposing both encouraging trends and unresolved flaws.
The Vikings’ hopes for another season with playoff football were dashed weeks ago, while the Packers are safely in the wildcard spot. Green Bay is locked into the seventh seed, so they have no reason to play hard this week and will likely rest key players and anyone with lingering injuries.
What Week 18 Reveals About the Vikings’ 2026 Direction
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has already announced that Clayton Tune will be the QB for Green Bay on Sunday. Jordan Love cleared concussion protocol this week, but won’t be risked before the playoffs. Malik Willis, who played last week and will be deputizing for Love, has a hamstring injury.
That all adds up to a scenario where Minnesota has a great opportunity to finish the season with five straight wins. As nice as that will be, what’s more important are the signs of players and position groups making progress, which should give confidence for next season.
Look for Jalen Redmond and Dallas Turner to Finish the Season Strong
The Vikings paid big money to some veterans — Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen — to try and improve the defensive front this past offseason. Instead, the big improvement came from a couple of players who were already in the building.
Jalen Redmond has been a great story of a guy who didn’t make the grade, went away, got a second chance, and grabbed it with both hands. Redmond does it all from the interior of the defensive line, and when a guy is being talked about on the game commentary of the national media every single week, you know they have made an impression. In just his second season, and first as a regular starter, you can make the case that Redmond was Minnesota’s best player on defense this season.
In contrast, Dallas Turner came into the league as a first-round pick and struggled to live up to that billing early on. He is fast becoming a poster boy for having patience with young players as he finishes his second season strongly.
Last week’s game against Detroit was the best of his young career. If he can follow that up with another good day against the Packers, then the Vikings’ edge defense next season is looking formidable. Hopefully, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel stay healthier in 2026.
Offensive Identity
A lot can happen over the offseason, and maybe Minnesota will make a big move for a star QB that changes everything. Assuming that doesn’t happen and the team sticks with JJ McCarthy and a veteran backup next year. We need to see this offense continue to mould its identity to carry into next season.
The team needs to continue to lean on the run game. That will be difficult with injuries all over the offensive line and at running back. However, those playing have the opportunity to make a case for next season, when a center and a younger, more explosive running back will be talking points for this team as we move into the offseason.
A Chance for Young Players to Shine
With the injury list already extensive, this game should provide plenty of opportunities to give some of the younger players meaningful reps. With Myles Price injured, Tai Felton should get lots of opportunities as a returner, though I’d also like to see him get on the field on offense. Also on offense, it will be a big chance for Michael Jurgens to put evidence on tape to be considered the long-term answer at center, while Ben Yurosek should see an opportunity with TJ Hockenson injured.
On the other side of the ball, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez will hope for more opportunities in the rotation to help make their case for a spot on the roster next year. It will also be another opportunity for Jay Ward to start at safety in the absence of Josh Metellus. Ward hits the last year of his rookie contract next season and needs to stake his claim now, or it will never happen.
Amazingly, if the Vikings do win this game, they will finish just half a game behind the Packers. That’s how close they will have come to playoff football in a season of upheaval and turmoil.
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