In two days, the Minnesota Vikings begin selecting for the 2026 draft class, the first such event without Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in charge in five years. And thanks to the team’s leaders, along with Justin Jefferson, the masses learned a little bit more about the Vikings on Monday.
The Vikings’ pre-draft press conference offered insight into QB plans, roster priorities, and the front office’s views on key veterans heading into the 2026 draft.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell, interim boss Rob Brzezinski, and Jefferson spoke to the media in Eagan and provided some insightful intel.
The draft is in Pittsburgh, and the Vikings have nine picks to start.
Smith completed his 14th NFL season in 2025; the Vikings even have a retirement party for him during Week 18. But since that moment, the communication on Smith’s retirement or return has hit radio silence.
Reporters asked O’Connell about Smith, and he comically replied, “Now that you remind me, I’ll probably bug him today.”
“We’re trying to give Harrison as much space as possible,” O’Connell added while insinuating that Smith is more than welcome back for Year No. 15.
Meanwhile, Minnesota could draft Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at Smith’s position. In fact, the betting favorite for the Vikings’ first draft picks is — you guessed it — a safety.
Smith’s retirement-or-return situation still has no clarity.
In a weird twist, the McCarthy comments came from his top playmaker, Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson said about his young quarterback, “And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit.”
“So it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now or I’m going to take that back seat again.’ So it’s all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So it’s all about who’s ready for that moment and who’s ready to step up and take that initiative.”
“Taking that back seat again” caught some listeners off guard. Jefferson must’ve been referring to 2024 when McCarthy was sidelined by a torn meniscus and Sam Darnold took the reins of the offense.
Regardless, with Kyler Murray in the house, Jefferson point-blank told the public that McCarthy must show up to training camp this summer with his game face on. And while that’s common knowledge by now, Jefferson confirmed it.
Greenard trade rumor smoke has billowed since the start of March.
O’Connell said Monday, “I had a conversation with him last week. We’re trying to keep our conversations and dialogue going. I have such a good relationship with Jonathan. He’s been so impactful on me personally, one of our leaders. He knows exactly how I feel about him, how we feel about him as an organization.”
“I’ll continue to have that dialogue and ongoing dialogue as we move forward. But it’s been good, and I think Jonathan’s really respected at least the point of view that our dialogue brings and the clarity, and he knows that I’m always a phone call away.”
More importantly, Brzezinski added on Greenard, “I mean, JG’s a great player. I expect JG to be here. There’s been speculation. There’s conversations that take place with respect to players all the time on rosters.”
“And for some reason, sometimes some things get public and other times they don’t. But he’s a really good player and a special person and a leader. And we’re really happy he’s a part of our team.”
This is a textbook answer for a player on the trade block. The Vikings must decide if they can afford Greenard’s extension price, which may be upward of $35 million per season, especially after his former teammate, Will Anderson, just grabbed $50 million annually in Houston last weekend.