Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings probably won’t reach the postseason — less than a 0.5% chance — and they will probably embark on a change-filled offseason in no time. The club was scheduled to contend for a Super Bowl as early as now, but that has not occurred. And with just four games remaining, a handful of players have everything on the line.
These last four weeks double as a franchise-wide audition, revealing who the Vikings can truly build around in 2026 and who might be nudged out of the picture.
Here’s a look at those men, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most on the line).
The Vikings Players with the Most at Stake over the Final 4 Games
The men with the heaviest stakes in the next four games.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson loosened up on the field before kickoff on Oct. 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, preparing for a pivotal divisional test against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran playmaker moved through warmups with his usual precision, offering a steady presence for an offense leaning on his reliability while navigating injuries elsewhere on the roster. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
4. T.J. Hockenson | TE
Injuries up front have forced T.J. Hockenson into more blocking than anyone would prefer, but even with that caveat, his target volume is shockingly low. Quick, over-the-middle throws should be the exact thing Minnesota leans on to get J.J. McCarthy comfortable early in games. Instead, Hockenson has been a bystander.
He’s averaging 4.6 targets per game. That’s nowhere near acceptable for a tight end earning $16.5 million per year and theoretically serving as the safety valve for a young quarterback.
When the Vikings traded for him in 2022, Hockenson immediately averaged about 8.5 targets per game through the rest of that season and into 2023. He looked like a 1,000-yard player and a top-five tight end before the torn ACL and MCL ended his 2023 and delayed his 2024.
With a full preseason and a clean bill of health entering 2025, the expectation was a return to the dominant version of Hockenson — the guy who tilted defenses. It hasn’t happened. And the offense is noticeably worse because of it. Kevin O’Connell has to unlock more from his high-priced tight end.
Thankfully for his sake, Hockenson has begun catching touchdowns as of late. He needs some big games in the remainder of the season to avoid offseason casualty cut chatter.
3. Ivan Pace Jr. | ILB
Pace was one of the breakout stories of 2023 — the undrafted, undersized linebacker who showed up in Minnesota and immediately punched above his weight, even landing PFWA All-Rookie honors.
But Year 3 hasn’t followed the script.
Pace has slipped behind veteran Eric Wilson on the depth chart and didn’t log a single defensive snap in Week 6. He’s seen rotational work since, but the role is clearly diminished.
Early in his career, Pace flashed legitimate coverage chops with two interceptions and three pass breakups in his first two seasons. This year, coverage has been a struggle, though he’s still a problem for offenses as a pass-rusher.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. celebrated an early-game interception on Jan. 5, 2025, during a road meeting with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, erupting with emotion as teammates converged to share the moment. The turnover energized Minnesota’s defense and punctuated Pace’s breakout season, highlighting the undrafted linebacker’s knack for timely plays whenever momentum shifted. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.
His quickness, leverage, and ability to knife through tight spaces remain real assets. The finishing, though — especially on tackles — still suffers from his size. Even as Minnesota’s third linebacker, there’s room for him to make more of an impact down the stretch.
The issue for Pace is simple: Wilson is playing too well to take off the field. Still, the Vikings need something from Pace Jr. over these next four games.
2. Jalen Nailor | WR
The aforementioned McCarthy enjoys Nailor as a target more than past Vikings quarterbacks; the speedster has that going for him.
But after a monster game against the Baltimore Ravens last month, Nailor has just 46 yards in the last four games — the exact opposite of what is needed to finish the season strong. Nailor’s contract expires in mere months, and he must leave a lasting impression on the Vikings’ offense to prove he deserves a second contract.
Of course, aside from last weekend, Minnesota’s quarterbacks have done the offense no favors. If McCarthy cooks the rest of the way, Nailor must get in on the fun.
Our Kyle Joudry on Nailor: “He’s buried behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, neither of whom are anywhere close to being fully unlocked in what has been a very poor offense. Good chance Nailor opts to skedaddle in search of better pay and better production. The 6th-Round selection from the 2022 NFL Draft is the lone player to have exceeded expectations from within the cluster of ten players (though UDFA add Ryan Wright has been excellent).”
“The Vikings could use him but have been hesitant to pay any WR3 since Jefferson, Addison, and T.J. Hockenson demand so much money. Seeing Nailor land in a spot like Buffalo, Denver, Kansas City, or other promising teams before then doing quite well in the ’26 season won’t be shocking at all.”
1. J.J. McCarthy | QB
The next four games are seismic for McCarthy. Absolutely telling and career-defining.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz went through pregame routines on Oct. 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup layered with familiarity. The seasoned passer, added to bolster depth and experience, moved steadily through warmup throws as fans filtered in, watching him ready for a rare meeting against his former team. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
He alone dictates how the Vikings treat him in the 2026 offseason — as the guy who finished the 2025 season on a tear or the man who just can’t quite figure it out. The offseason decision-making will either involve signing a proven veteran quarterback for support, like Gardner Minshew or Jameis Winston, or finding a QB1 solution not named McCarthy, such as Kyler Murray or Mac Jones.
While the playoffs are an extreme long shot, Minnesota’s next four games are of the utmost importance in franchise history because they will prove if McCarthy belongs. Like truly belongs.
