Meet the QBs the Vikings Will Face in 2026

Eric Hartline The NFL schedule release is still a few weeks away, but hardcore Minnesota Vikings fans know the team’s opponents are readily available to study. Accordingly, the gauntlet of opposing quarterbacks is public knowledge, and it’s time for you to know the pecking order. Brian Flores will see stars, veterans, and several uncertain young passers.

So, here’s a look at the signal-callers who Flores will face starting in September. We’ve ranked them from easiest to most difficult. Minnesota’s Roadmap Starts with the Opposing QBs It’s not necessarily an easy setup.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) waits in the tunnel before facing the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Dec 21, 2025, standing calmly ahead of kickoff as he prepares to lead the offense in a road matchup with playoff implications late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images. Geno Smith | New York Jets The Jets are rolling with Smith in 2026, and nobody knows why.

There’s a decent chance that by the time this game rolls around, New York has benched Smith for a rookie. Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa | Atlanta Falcons The Falcons thought they had the QB solution licked in 2024 when they signed Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr.