The Minnesota Vikings‘ schedule for the 2026 NFL season is out, and the first game of the campaign will be an NFC North matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Moreover, news is already emerging months before the game is played.
Minnesota could have a new QB under center in Kyler Murray, should he win the competition with J.J. McCarthy. Furthermore, whether it’s McCarthy or Murray, they might have good news for that Week 1 game against the Packers.
On May 14, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Micah Parsons is a candidate to open the season on the physically unable to perform list. Should Green Bay place Parsons on the PUP list, the Packers star will not be able to play in the first four weeks of the regular season.
As a result, the Vikings’ offensive line and quarterback wouldn’t have to worry about Parsons in Week 1 if the Packers do place their star pass rusher on the PUP list.
“The feeling within the organization has been that Parsons would miss the early part of the season and be back early on,” Schefter said. “He’ll be a candidate to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, so three or four games potentially missed.
“But again, we are still four or five months away from the time the season starts. There’s time for him to recover, time for him to get back. But it certainly feels like the tone has been and the expectation has been that Parsons will miss some time to start the season.”
Vikings WR Jauan Jennings Ready to Annoy NFC North
Moreover, facing the Packers in Week 1 will be the first game in which Jauan Jennings plays for the Vikings, along with potentially Murray. The Green Bay defense will be the first to experience how annoying Jennings can be to play against.
During a May 11 appearance on SKOR North, 49ers ON SI’s Grant Cohn shared what the Vikings are getting in the wideout.
“One of the things that’s his defining characteristic is that he really pisses off players on the other team,” Cohn said. “Shelby Harris called him a h– last year, and he started multiple fights. He’s not necessarily a dirty player. He just is really enthusiastic about blocking DBs who are smaller.”
Jauan Jennings Will Look to Take Advantage as WR3
Moreover, Cohn stated what Jennings will bring from a pass-catching perspective. The former 49ers wide receiver will look to take advantage of playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
“They’re really getting, to me, one of the premier No. 3 wide receivers in the league,” Cohn added. “For the last couple of years, he was the Niners’ No. 1 receiver because Aiyuk left and Deebo left, and he was not really suited for that role.”
The 49ers insider also shared specific physical traits that will stand out in Minnesota’s passing game.
“[Jennings] runs a 4.7, but for a wide receiver who runs a 4.7, he’s about as good as it gets,” Cohn said. “He’s 6-foot-3, he’s an elite blocker, and he’s unafraid of going over the middle [and] is one of the best third-down receivers in the league; he’s one of the best contested-catch guys in the league.
“He’s good in the red zone [and] he plays when he’s hurt, as opposed to some guys who, you know, have to have all of their speed and quickness.”
Vikings Get Potential Good News for Week 1 Game Against Packers