Minnesota Vikings followers watch pregame warmups earlier than a matchup in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 17, 2022, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Supporters stuffed the stadium forward of one of many franchise’s most memorable regular-season contests, making a loud ambiance as Minnesota ready for a nationally watched showdown in opposition to Indianapolis at dwelling. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
In case you are excited concerning the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback adjustments in 2026, primarily the addition of Kyler Murray, CBS Sports activities doesn’t share your enthusiasm. That web site ranked Minnesota’s quarterback group because the NFL’s seventh-worst heading into the summer time.
Minnesota’s quarterback group has danger, however calling it one of many league’s worst feels untimely.
It’s the newest proof to counsel that Murray’s inventory is at its lowest.
Murray’s Monitor Report Makes the Rating Exhausting to Defend
Seventh-worst? Actually?
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) seems on throughout motion in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 31, 2023 at Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Murray continued his return from harm late within the season whereas Arizona evaluated its long-term route at quarterback coming into one other pivotal offseason for the franchise. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities
CBS Sports activities: Vikings QB Room Isn’t Good
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports activities determined seventh-worst for the Vikings’ QB room rating, explaining, “One would think the Minnesota Vikings’ signing of two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray would keep them off this list, but that’s not the case. Murray earned his Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. That’s a lifetime ago in NFL years. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.”
“In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. Recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was the worst quarterback in the NFL in 2025, which sparked the signing of Murray. McCarthy’s performance was simply incredible considering the offensive ecosystem under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.”
Murray is on the town on a contract price $1.3 million. The Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings.
“Despite an electrifying supporting cast, McCarthy ranked dead last in the league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). Murray could rediscover his early career form with Minnesota,” Podell continued.
“Murray is one of just four players in NFL history with 20,000-plus passing yards (20,460) and 30-plus rushing touchdowns (32) through his first seven seasons, joining Josh Allen, Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Week 1 starter: Kyler Murray.”
Little Religion in Murray, McCarthy, and Wentz
Vikings followers are enthused about this yr’s quarterback trio, primarily as a result of the franchise completed 2025 with a 9-8 report, regardless of posting the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback efficiency per Dropback EPA/Play. Including Murray seems like a severe treatment to a fair graver illness.
It’s simply that the NFL populace doesn’t agree but. It has to see Murray thrive in Minnesota to imagine it. In any case, a group as lowly because the Arizona Cardinals removed Murray in favor of Jacoby Brissett and Carson Beck. That’s fairly damning.
Minnesota now has a quarterback with one thing to show in Murray, a person with upside within the 23-year-old McCarthy, and a gritty veteran named Wentz in case the opposite two flounder or get damage.
The Sam Darnold Lesson
In 2024, the Vikings signed Darnold from free company, and followers groaned. The membership was actually going to embark on the Kirk Cousins afterlife with Darnold, who was certifiably the butt of jokes on the time? Certainly, they have been.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame second with Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota following the ultimate whistle on Dec. 7, 2025 at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The alternate paired Minnesota’s younger franchise passer with a veteran quarterback often related to offseason rumors and backup hypothesis. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos
That offseason, although, Minnesota knew what it was doing, even when of us groused when Darnold signed on the Vikings’ dotted line. He’d later submit 35 touchdowns in Minnesota, absolutely reclaimed his profession, and after the Vikings have been completed with him, he went on to win a Tremendous Bowl with the 2025 Seattle Seahawks.
In comparison with Darnold, Murray begins his post-Cardinals journey with rather more confirmed manufacturing. Murray isn’t a punchline like Darnold was two years in the past. Maybe it’s not one of the best time to put in writing off the Vikings’ decision-makers earlier than seeing Murray’s time unfold. In the event that they struck oil with Darnold for a season, there’s no motive to imagine Murray can’t obtain the identical end result.
Browns Take the Cake because the Worst
Who has the quarterback scenario in soccer? That’s the Cleveland Browns, says Podell.
He wrote, “There is no quarterback room more chaotic than that of the Cleveland Browns. There’s the husk of Deshaun Watson, a quarterback who tore his Achilles in 2023 and once more in his rehab process in 2024, set to enter the final season of his five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract in 2026.”
“Then you have the lightning rod that is 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion. Despite being blitzed on 24% of his dropbacks since his NFL debut in Week 11, Sanders faced pressure on 51% of his dropbacks, the highest such rate in the league. Dillon Gabriel, a 2025 third-round pick, started in Weeks 5-11 for the Browns.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) runs with the soccer in the course of the second half in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19, 2025 at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Wentz used his mobility to increase performs as Minnesota’s offense looked for momentum throughout a matchup in opposition to one of many NFC’s high contenders. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos
All indicators level to Watson beginning for Cleveland in September.
“Then, there’s 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green, a player with so much athletic potential that fans are begging him to switch to wide receiver. It’s the final year of Watson’s contract, and if he can still move around after two Achilles tears, he’s the quarterback who has experienced the most NFL success with three Pro Bowl selections,” Podell concluded.
The Vikings’ first common season recreation is lower than 16 weeks away, when Murray can deconstruct the CBS Sports activities narrative.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
