Vikings Storylines for 2026 Preseason Opener Against the Giants

It’s been a very long time coming, but we’re finally here: the Minnesota Vikings have a football game on Saturday.

On Saturday at Noon CT, the Vikings have their very first preseason game of the year. Obviously, it’s not the real thing yet, but seeing the purple uniforms in an NFL stadium while the game clock is running is good enough to get me excited.

Even though it’s just the preseason, there will still be plenty to keep an eye on as the team takes the field at a ticketed and televised event for the first time since January. Young men will be fighting for their jobs, and some players may even be trying to beef up their trade value to get out of a sticky situation with the Vikings.

All in all, what will I be watching for at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants?

Future Vikings Ring of Honor Inductee, Charles Demmings

Obviously, this isn’t the first time I’ve professed my unwavering confidence in Charles Demmings, and it won’t come close to being the last time I do it either.

Charles Demmings has been absolutely tearing up training camp this offseason, already looking like one of the best corners on the team. Those privy to who Demmings was before he started rising the draft boards late in the process aren’t shocked at all. At one time, Demmings was practically unheard of, and it was mostly due to his small-school lore.

Minnesota very smartly used a fifth-round selection on him back in April, and I was immediately calling it the steal of the draft. The Vikings have an absolute “dawg” in “Chuck Dee,” and I couldn’t be more excited to bear witness to his first in-game action in the NFL against the Giants on Saturday.

J.J. McCarthy’s On-Field Response to QB Competition Loss

Everyone who reads my articles consistently knows how critical I’ve been of J.J. McCarthy, and it’s for good reason. I don’t dislike the kid, as I’m actually a fan. However, I’m not going to let my fondness for McCarthy cloud my judgment of his on-field play to this point with the Vikings.

For whatever reason, I have a gut feeling that J.J. McCarthy is going to go out there on Saturday afternoon and ball out. He is mentally tough and seems like the type of dude to take his benching personally and use it to fuel a personal fire. He will surely be wanting to show the world that he has what it takes to be a starter in this league, and a Week 1 preseason game less than a week after you were publicly benched is pretty good fodder for a fire.

Can Tai Felton Keep Up Hot Offseason?

Earlier this offseason, I was at the front of the line of people who wanted WR Tai Felton released. I’m also at the front of the line in accountability.

Felton has had an absolutely marvelous offseason, rivaling Charles Demmings for the infamous “Mr. Mankato” award, an honorable training camp award given by fans and media. Felton just looks different this offseason, and it makes sense.

The main reason I was fine with letting Tai Felton walk was because of his inability to beat out a very diminished Adam Thielen for snaps last season, as well as his very shaky coverage success rates while at Maryland. Believe it or not, players can develop, and it looks like he’s doing just that very well.

He should be getting plenty of run tomorrow, as their top trio of Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings probably won’t be seeing much playing time.