Vikings GM Nolan Teasley Reveals What He’s Looking to See in Roster Competition

Vikings GM Nolan Teasley is still new to the job. That doesn’t mean he’s unsure about what he’s looking for as an evaluator who is about to watch the preseason. The long-time executive knows what he wants to see in the Vikings’ roster battle.

Tatum Everett, team employee of the Minnesota Vikings, conducted a quick sideline interview with the front office leader over the weekend. What is Teasley looking to see in the upcoming preseason games? His response: “We try to keep it simple. We’re just looking for production. We’re looking for playmakers. And really what that tells us is that you’ve been focused and taking advantage of your time. Your alignment, assignment, and technique is sound, and that allows you to apply what you’ve learned and apply it to game day situations.”

Vikings GM Nolan Teasley Wants to See Production

Part of what makes his answer compelling is the simplicity. Teasley himself describes the assessment criteria as being simple; he appears to be genuine in that desire.

What the GM wants to see is production. If you’re a linebacker, go gobble up tackles. Forcing a fumble and/or plucking an interception out of the sky would be even better. A receiver should catch passes, chew up yards after the catch, and block like a maniac when called upon.

Go down the line of the different positions and it’s reasonably easy to attach the position to the desired form of production and playmaking.

Another detail that’s of some fascination is how the simple idea of watching for production is tethered to technique.

Shining during games, per the Vikings GM, comes down to having put in positive work in practice. More broadly, there’s the ability to have soaked up the details that the coaches have sought to convey during film study and in the position room. Bring all of that behind-the-scenes work to the forefront when playing the other team.

Get to the correct spot on the field (alignment), understand what you need to do as part of the team (assignment), and then go win your rep (technique).

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Working that Nolan Teasley insight in reverse can be illuminating.

Last year, J.J. McCarthy struggled largely due to poor mechanics. So goes the theory, at least. McCarthy’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t work hard or care about ball. Rather, he was a young lad trying to undo some bad habits that were leading to bad production.

Since then, McCarthy has continued to grind, improving his game accordingly (while nevertheless falling short in his competition). Quite possibly, doing well enough here — improving his technique — will lead to an ability to start yet again, though it’s now debatable whether that chance arrives in Minnesota. Can he produce in the upcoming preseason opportunity?

While watching the game, consider what Nolan Teasley is looking for in his players.

Maybe you don’t know technique in the same way as an NFL coach or executive. No problem. Focus on the production and playmaking. In the past, various players have done well in the preseason before failing to make the team — think of Kyle Sloter — but there’s still a criteria here that the Vikings GM pointed out.

Guys who jump off the field due to positive plays are the all-too-simple guys to focus on. Production that flows out of hard work and soaking up the coaching is a key piece of the in-house criteria for the Minnesota Vikings, per Teasley.

The Vikings travel to New York for the opening preseason game of their 2026 preseason. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.