Minnesota Vikings 2025 Final 53-Man Roster
With the preseason now in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Vikings are looking ahead to their Week 1 regular season matchup against the Chicago Bears. But on Tuesday by 3 p.m. CDT, they had to set their initial 53-man roster.
As is the case with most teams, Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had a lot of very difficult decisions to make and conversations to have, throughout the day Tuesday. When the dust settled, the Vikings’ final roster was mostly business as usual, though there were some surprises along the way.
Below is the first iteration of the 2025 MN Vikings 53-man roster, where a whopping SEVEN undrafted free agents made the cut.
Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster – Offense
| Name | Position | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| J.J. McCarthy | Quarterback | 2nd year |
| Carson Wentz | Quarterback | 10th year |
| Max Brosmer* | Quarterback | Rookie |
| Aaron Jones | Running Back | 9th year |
| Jordan Mason | Running Back | 4th year |
| Ty Chandler | Running Back | 4th year |
| Zavier Scott | Running Back | 1st year |
| Blake Brandel | Guard | 5th year |
| Will Fries | Guard | 5th year |
| Michael Jurgens | Guard | 2nd year |
| Joe Huber* | Guard | Rookie |
| Donovan Jackson | Guard | Rookie |
| Christian Darrisaw | Tackle | 5th year |
| Brian O’Neill | Tackle | 8th year |
| Walter Rouse | Tackle | 2nd year |
| Justin Skule | Tackle | 6th year |
| Ryan Kelly | Center | 10th year |
| T.J Hockenson | Tight End | 7th year |
| Benjamin Yurosek* | Tight End | Rookie |
| Josh Oliver | Tight End | 7th year |
| Tim Jones | Wide Receiver | 4th year |
| Justin Jefferson | Wide Receiver | 6th year |
| Tai Felton | Wide Receiver | Rookie |
| Myles Price* | Wide Receiver | Rookie |
| Jalen Nailor | Wide Receiver | 4th year |
| Will Reichard | Kicker | 2nd year |
| Ryan Wright | Punter | 4th year |
| Andrew DePaola | Long Snapper | 11th year |
* – Undrafted FA
Initial 53-man takeaways on offense
Most of the expected talents are all here and accounted for, including the former Gopher Max Brosmer, who diced up opposing defenses throughout the preseason. He’s joined by offensive lineman Joe Huber as the other lone undrafted free agent to make the 53-man on offense.
Rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew appears as though he’ll miss the season with a back injury. For now, Ben Yurosek gets that roster spot instead. Minnesota kept four running backs, including Ty Chandler, but in a surprise move, the Vikings placed C.J. Ham on injured reserve (with a designation to return). It’s very possible Ham landing on IR secured Chandler’s spot.
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Jordan Addison is not on the 53-man roster, due to his three game suspension, which allowed Tim Jones to slide in. It’s unlikely this is the receiver room that Minnesota is going to start the season with, however. Of note, the Carolina Panthers set their 53-man roster with Adam Thielen still on it.
Myles Price is one of the more surprising names listed above. His talent as a returner likely helped, but he was far from perfect there during the preseason. If the Vikings are going to capitalize on what is expected to be a strong season, then they’ll need all hands on deck both offensively and defensively
Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster – Defense
| Name | Position | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight McGlothern | Cornerback | 2nd year |
| Byron Murphy Jr. | Cornerback | 7th year |
| Jeff Okudah | Cornerback | 6th year |
| Isaiah Rodgers | Cornerback | 5th year |
| Jonathan Allen | Defensive Line | 9th year |
| Javon Hargrave | Defensive Line | 10th year |
| Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | Defensive Line | Rookie |
| Jalen Redmond | Defensive Line | 2nd year |
| Elijah Williams* | Defensive Line | Rookie |
| Levi Drake Rodriguez | Defensive Line | 2nd year |
| Blake Cashman | Linebacker | 7th year |
| Austin Keys* | Linebacker | Rookie |
| Kobe King | Linebacker | Rookie |
| Ivan Pace Jr. | Linebacker | 3rd year |
| Eric Wilson | Linebacker | 9th year |
| Chaz Chambliss* | Outside Linebacker | Rookie |
| Jonathan Greenard | Outside Linebacker | 6th year |
| Dallas Turner | Outside Linebacker | 2nd year |
| Bo Richter | Outside Linebacker | 2nd year |
| Andrew Van Ginkel | Outside Linebacker | 7th year |
| Theo Jackson | Safety | 4th year |
| Joshua Metellus | Safety | 6th year |
| Jay Ward | Safety | 3rd year |
| Tavierre Thomas | Safety | 8th year |
| Harrison Smith | Safety | 14th year |
* – Undrafted FA
Initial 53-man takeaways on defense
Minnesota didn’t just keep a pair of undrafted free agents on offense. They did so on defense as well. Chaz Chambliss made the roster while Gabriel Murphy wound up being a shocking cut.
It’s likely that his contributions on special teams are the difference. Austin Keys joined him as an undrafted free agent among the linebacker room. Elijah Williams also sticks around and can learn from some of the best to do it on the defensive line.
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Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen need to be healthy this year. If they are, then the Minnesota Vikings will have hit big on their free agent acquisitions. The strength of the defense is definitely the front seven.
The cornerback position, with only four players currently on the 53-man roster, leaves plenty to be desired. If the Vikings make a move anywhere, before week one in Chicago, keep an eye on the secondary for sure. Minnesota’s front office must now tighten things up across the roster before the regular season kicks off, 13 days from today.
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