C.J. Ham retired in the offseason after spending ten years with the Minnesota Vikings. The former undrafted running back became the team’s full-time fullback in 2017, paving the way for running backs Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Aaron Jones.
The retirement left a void at fullback, a dying position in the NFL. It’s not a position that every team feels obligated to carry on the roster, but having a bruising blocker in the backfield can help set the tone in the running game.
The Vikings may have found Ham’s replacement, though. Max Bredeson, a fifth-round pick out of Michigan, may have been a puzzling selection at first. But he brings a physicality and attitude that the offense needs as Minnesota embraces a more run-heavy approach in 2026.
“Coaches love his physicality and scheme versatility as a blocker,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote of Bredeson over the weekend, “and Bredeson will not only get playing time on offense but also start if the Vikings open in one of their heavy packages.”
Bredeson also has the ability to line up as a blocker, providing the kind of position flexibility that can complement starters T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. If he’s as advertised, Bredeson could grow into the unsung hero that fans love out of a fullback.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: The Vikings found their perfect replacement for C.J. Ham