As we move closer to the next stage of the offseason, we want to ensure we have a comprehensive preview of the Vikings heading into 2026. The next stage is free agency, and it has proven to be one that the Vikings can stay active in. However, in this discussion, we will approach things differently.In this piece, we will be discussing the team's roster needs ahead of free agency starting during the new league year. The Vikings' free agency will be both interesting and pivotal to their success in 2026. As they look for a new general manager after the NFL Draft, the interim role will fall on Rob Brzezinski. With not much salary cap space, it makes discussing free agency that much more of a tightrope act than before.With that, here is where we would focus our energy for the team in free agency. SecondaryBoth the cornerback and safety positions are areas that need some help for the 2026 season. With the potential retirement of Harrison Smith casting a cloud over this team, finding safety help needs to be a priority. Losing Smith won't be an easy replacement, but doing it in free agency with some values who could play alongside Josh Metellus could help dull the loss. As for the cornerback situation, that unit played so poorly in 2025. Byron Murphy Jr. had moments, but even coming off his Pro Bowl season, he wasn't the same. Getting some help in free agency with some promising pieces available would do the trick. LinebackerBlake Cashman remains the leader of the group, but he cannot do it alone. When he misses time, and it has become a guarantee, the unit's play falls off a cliff, plain and simple. The free agent group has some decent linebacker pieces in it, and if they can find a cheaper option to play alongside him, then that would be worth pursuing. Running BackThe team is moving on from Aaron Jones, but still has Jordan Mason. This team needs to help whoever is under center by giving them a reliable running game, and sadly, Jordan Mason doesn't seem poised to do that. The team gets mocked some new running backs for the 2026 NFL Draft, but what if free agency gave them some help? There are some decently talented names in the pool for them to potentially fix that issue sooner rather than later. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Vikings biggest needs heading into free agency