5 Vikings Players Under the Gun in 2025

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

The NFL has a revolving door for players quite frequently, especially with free agency each offseason.

Five Vikings players face almighty pivotal seasons in 2025, with pressure-filled stakes that could define their futures in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 roster is no different, and a handful of players have it all on the line this season.

Listed alphabetically, these five men have almighty pivotal seasons afoot.

5 Vikings Players Entering Make-or-Break Seasons

It’s put up or shut up for these Vikings players this season.

Sam Howell handed the ball to Ty Chandler during second-quarter action on Aug 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Minnesota quarterback, number 8, executed the exchange with Chandler, number 32, against the Houston Texans in preseason play. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

1. Ty Chandler | RB

Oodles of Vikings fans thought Chandler would be cut last week. But with fullback C.J. Ham on injured reserve for four games minimum, Chandler bought himself more time on the active roster.

When Ham returns, Chandler could be the odd man out.

If not, Chandler must still prove himself this season. It’s the final year of his rookie contract. Moreover, Minnesota always seems to go out of its way to choose a different path when Chandler nears the RB2 job on the depth chart: see two Cam Akers trades in 2023 and 2024.

2. Theo Jackson | S

Theo Jackson’s career isn’t on the line in 2025, but his role as a bonafide starter might be.

Former Viking Camryn Bynum left in free agency for the Indianapolis Colts, which backhandedly promoted Jackson, who has waited for this moment since joining the purple practice squad in 2022. He’s waited three years and then some.

Jackson has make-or-break stakes this year because it alone will determine if he’s a long-term starter. It’s also worth noting that starting safeties are fairly easy to find if Jackson doesn’t blast off.

Theo Jackson lined up in coverage on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Minnesota safety, wearing number 26, competed against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild card matchup as Minnesota’s defense tried to contain the Rams’ passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote about Jackson this week: “From coaches to teammates, everyone asked about Jackson this offseason has had nothing but good things to say about the fourth-year safety. His work on the scout team and on special teams has prepared him for this opportunity. It’s no fluke that Jackson has two career interceptions in limited playing time and was one of the Vikings’ most impressive players during training camp.”

“The Vikings will continue to deploy Metellus in his uniquely versatile role, which sees him line up all over the defense. Smith will also move around quite a bit. Jackson projects as a pure replacement for Bynum as the primary deep safety of the three, which should give him plenty of chances to make plays on the football. And with Smith’s availability for Week 1 in some question due to a “personal health matter,” Jackson could be extremely important right away.”

3. Jalen Nailor | WR

Minnesota traded for Adam Thielen last week. A side storyline to the deal? An instant demotion for Nailor. When Jordan Addison returns from suspension, Nailor will become Minnesota’s WR4. In the last couple of seasons, he owned the WR3 job title.

Like Chandler, this is the last year of Nailor’s rookie contract, and virtually no one anywhere has mentioned an extension.

Nailor may be auditioning for 2025 free agency, especially with rookie wideout Tai Felton on the depth chart.

4. Jeff Okudah | CB

The Detroit Lions drafted Okudah five years ago with a Top 3 pick, and the guy never lived up to that scouting report. He didn’t even start for the Houston Texans last year.

Jeff Okudah took the field during the College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec 28, 2019, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback, number 1, faced the Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl as scouts observed his NFL potential. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Yet, he found a CB3 job in the Twin Cities this offseason, which is basically a starting arrangement in the pass-happy NFL. Okudah still has plenty of years remaining in the big leagues, but this campaign is his last best chance to prove himself as a starter and show the world why Detroit picked him so high a half-decade ago.

If Okudah wishes to stay a starter in the NFL, 2025 is now or never. Otherwise, he’ll be a CB4-CB5 depth guy in 2026 and beyond — like he was in Houston last year.

Kevin O’Connell said about Okudah this summer, “You don’t see him lose very much when he gets his hands on people. I see a clear role for him. Not all corners in our defense play the same spots, play the same roles.”

“To think that we’re going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about; it’s great to see him taking a run with it early on, because I think he’s had a phenomenal camp.”

5. Dallas Turner | OLB

Turner is only under the gun for two reasons in 2025:

The Vikings traded a mid-round version of the farm in draft speak to get him in 2024.

Turner only played about 30% of defensive snaps as a rookie.

Dallas Turner looked on before kickoff on Dec 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Minnesota rookie linebacker, number 15, stood on the field during pregame warmups as the team prepared for its NFC clash against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Those two factors combine for a high-stakes season. He must show he was worth the squeeze. In fact, anything less than a Pro Bowl outcome for Turner down the road would make the trade look silly in hindsight.

Thankfully for Turner’s sake, he’s on deck for much more playing time in his second season. Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward, two outside linebackers from the 2024 roster, no longer work for the Vikings.