Minnesota Vikings followers present emotion from the stands throughout a divisional matchup in opposition to the Chicago Bears, reacting to second-quarter motion on Oct 9, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the group at U.S. Financial institution Stadium rides the swings of a tightly contested NFC North battle. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
After the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL.com launched a brand new batch of energy rankings, putting the Minnesota Vikings at No. 28, often known as the fifth-worst squad within the enterprise. Now, ESPN has adopted swimsuit, preserving the purple workforce in the bathroom however with a bit extra respect at No. 24.
Minnesota’s roster appears stronger than the nationwide rankings counsel.
To place it plainly, the NFL media machine simply doesn’t suppose Minnesota will probably be superb in 2026.
Kyler Murray Provides Minnesota the Apparent Rebuttal
The place would you toss the Vikings in your private energy rankings?
Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive finish Micah Parsons beats his blocker and pressures the pocket throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, gaining the sting on Nov 23, 2025, in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, as he disrupted safety schemes at Lambeau Subject in a bodily NFC North divisional matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs.
ESPN Energy Rankings: Vikings at Ninth-Worst
ESPN located Minnesota and No. 24, and Kevin Seifert defined essentially the most improved roster place: “Most improved position: Quarterback. The Vikings did some good work at defensive tackle in the draft, but they had long ago accomplished the most important task of the offseason by building a more competitive QB room.”
“Kyler Murray was the best quarterback available this offseason, and he will cost the Vikings only $1.3 million while the Cardinals pay the remainder of his $37.6 million salary. Instead of simply hoping J.J. McCarthy will take the necessary steps forward, the Vikings have a proven veteran with arguably higher upside in Murray.”
Murray will battle McCarthy this summer time for the QB1 job at coaching camp, although most anticipate Murray to prevail — considerably simply.
“And if it doesn’t work out, the Vikings brought back Carson Wentz to ensure the position will have a higher floor than it did last season,” Seifert concluded.
Only a Bit Thoughts-Boggling
Such energy rankings proceed to be complicated for a handful of causes.
Minnesota completed 9-8 final season; they aren’t ranging from a place of large weak point. Concurrently, energy rankings deal with the franchise as if it completed 5-12 or 6-11 final 12 months.
The Vikings’ protection ranked third within the NFL final 12 months per EPA/Play and DVOA. Groups with nice defenses don’t often wrestle or find yourself low in energy rankings.
Minnesota signed Murray for the QB1 job in March; he’s a two-time Professional Bowler and an instantaneous improve over McCarthy.
Not often does Minnesota have back-to-back underwhelming seasons.
The Vikings nonetheless have weapons on offense like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Mason.
These parts do not need the makings of the NFL’s Twenty fourth-best workforce.
Fortunately, Energy Rankings Are Not Necessary
The Vikings have one easy objective in 2026 relating to energy rankings: to defy their Twenty fourth-place NFL standing.
Final season, Minnesota completed 9-8, regardless of quarterback play that ranked fifth-worst within the league by Dropback EPA. The large wager right here is that Murray will instantly enhance their flooring and blow off the ceiling.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern celebrates after recording a second-half sack in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, reacting with teammates on Sep 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, because the protection created strain and compelled disruption at U.S. Financial institution Stadium throughout a key stretch of the competition. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
Nevertheless, that is only a Might energy rating, launched 4 months earlier than the season begins. Nobody will bear in mind ESPN’s ideas subsequent fall if the Vikings begin racking up wins and make the playoffs. Energy rankings are merely a snapshot of present opinion.
A Twist from SI.com
To an extent, a unique web site gave Minnesota its flowers, a minimum of in comparison with ESPN. SI.com ranked Minnesota because the NFL’s Nineteenth-best workforce, sandwiched between the Detroit Lions at No. 18 and the Inexperienced Bay Packers at No. 20.
Conor Orr from that website opined, “I think we forget that the Vikings won nine games last season with a ridiculous carousel of quarterbacks, including a version of Carson Wentz so injured that a police report should have been filed. While we can all pile on the Caleb Banks pick, this was a draft of wild swings.”
“Banks may be a team’s only crack at a defensive tackle that can wreck games. And without a GM at the wheel, why not let DC Brian Flores have a voice?”
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores observes drills and evaluates gamers throughout minicamp apply on Jun 10, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as he monitored defensive execution and changes on the workforce’s coaching facility whereas persevering with to form the unit forward of the upcoming NFL season. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photographs.
Final month, CBS Sports activities‘ Jordan Dajani dropped Minnesota at No. 24 like ESPN and famous, “The Vikings missed the playoffs last year for the second time in four seasons under Kevin O’Connell, despite winning their final five games after a 4-8 start. Former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy didn’t do enough to secure the starting job, prompting Minnesota to bring in Kyler Murray to compete.”
“With an aggressive Brian Flores defense and one of the best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, there’s urgency to build a roster that complements the team’s strengths.”
Sportsbooks predict the Vikings to complete round 8-9 or 9-8. The following cease within the offseason is the schedule launch, which ought to be about one week away. The Vikings may have 9 dwelling video games this go-round and are anticipated to face a middle-of-the-road opponent docket per power of schedule. The NFC North, in fact, will most likely be fairly the assassin’s row as soon as once more.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
