Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray appeared in team-produced offseason content material after becoming a member of the group in free company, giving followers an early take a look at the brand new quarterback. On June 8, 2026, the Vikings featured Murray in launched media as he continued getting ready for his first season in Minnesota following his March arrival that summer season. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings and Inexperienced Bay Packers will do battle in Week 1 at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in 67 days, with storylines aplenty as a result of — it’s Vikings-Packers. However one such state of affairs hasn’t been absolutely unearthed by the plenty but — the rapid, post-Arizona Cardinals showdown between Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
The 2 labored collectively for 3 seasons in Arizona. Their shared first order of enterprise outdoors the desert? Dueling within the NFC North.
Gannon’s Protection Provides Private Stakes to the Opener
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon patrols the sideline at State Farm Stadium as Arizona faces Jacksonville throughout a late-season matchup tied to quarterback questions. On Nov. 23, 2025, Gannon watched his staff deal with one other take a look at whereas the franchise weighed its long-term course round Kyler Murray. Necessary Credit score: Joe Rondone-The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos.
Schedule-Makers Plop Murray v. Gannon Out of the Gate
The Vikings may’ve performed any staff in Week 1, however for the 2026 squad, the NFL selected Inexperienced Bay. The parents who made the schedule most likely didn’t care a lot about Murray versus Gannon, however it’s taking place anyway.
Arizona employed Gannon through the 2023 offseason, a 12 months after the franchise prolonged Murray’s contract, the deal that included the notorious “study hall” clause earlier than it was eliminated. Murray was considered because the franchise quarterback, and with a recent new set of eyes and concepts, Gannon took over.
The Cardinals went 15-36 in these three seasons, compiling a .294 win share and rating twenty seventh within the NFL. The experiment didn’t work, and the pair misplaced their jobs this offseason. Freshly faraway from Arizona, they’ll dance on reverse sidelines at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.
Gannon’s Protection
Gannon inherits the league’s Nineteenth-best protection per DVOA from final 12 months. The Packers reached the postseason — misplaced to the Chicago Bears in a wild recreation — and did so with a mediocre protection that has seen higher days. The membership additionally misplaced celebrity Micah Parsons alongside the way in which to a torn ACL.
Led by Gannon, Inexperienced Bay will face Minnesota with these notable gamers on protection:
Javon Bullard (S)
Edgerrin Cooper (LB)
Zaire Franklin (LB)
Javon Hargrave (DI)
Isaiah McDuffie (LB)
Xavier McKinney (S)
Keisean Nixon (CB)
Benjamin St-Juste (CB)
Lukas Van Ness (EDGE)
Evan Williams (S)
It’s additionally price noting that Hargrave, a defensive sort out, performed for the Vikings final 12 months however was solid apart this offseason earlier than Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport on the Packers’ protection: “After trading Rashan Gary to Dallas, who will step up on the edge opposite Parsons? How will the move from Quay Walker to Zaire Franklin affect the linebackers? How will veteran Benjamin St. Juste and rookie Brandon Cisse fit into the Green Bay secondary?”
“The Packers have the personnel on the defensive side of the ball to field a solid unit in 2026. They are going to need to, because the NFC North has the makings of the most tightly packed division in the NFL.”
Murray’s Offense
How about Murray’s offensive instruments in opposition to Gannon’s protection? He’s bought ’em. Murray hasn’t fairly had recreation motion with the next group, however that story will begin in residing shade on September 13 in opposition to this former coach.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray drops again at State Farm Stadium as Pittsburgh visits Glendale in a matchup from his rookie season, when his playmaking nonetheless outlined Arizona’s rebuild. On Dec. 8, 2019, Murray confronted the Steelers whereas displaying the mobility and arm expertise that later saved him central to Cardinals plans. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Right here’s who will notably encompass Murray in Minnesota’s offense:
Jordan Addison (WR)
Christian Darrisaw (T)
T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Justin Jefferson (WR)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Aaron Jones (RB)
Donovan Jackson (LG)
Jordan Mason (RB)
Brian O’Neill (RT)
Murray may even have Kevin O’Connell whispering in his ear, a person identified for top-tier veteran quarterback tutelage.
Our Steve Hoikkala not too long ago famous on Jackson, a rookie lineman from final 12 months: “Jackson was stellar in his performance last season as a rookie allowing just 2 sacks in 14 games in 2025, and looks to be the long-term starter he was brought here to be.”
“His physicality and consistency to the interior offensive line are just as important as the stability in his youth for Minnesota to build around. Jackson should be the starting left guard for years to come.”
Packers-Themed Media’s Take
LombardiAve.com‘s Luke Norris wrote in regards to the scenario in March, “Jonathan Gannon will now face Kyler Murray, who he benched in 2025, twice in 2026.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon speaks with Kyler Murray at State Farm Stadium throughout second-half motion in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, with Arizona making an attempt to regular its offense. On Sep. 15, 2024, the sideline change confirmed the coach-quarterback dynamic that is still central to Murray’s future and the staff’s bigger course. Necessary Credit score: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Photos.
“Any new wrinkle to the Packers-Vikings rivalry is always fun, but this one comes with a second storyline outside of just Murray himself, as the man who served as his head coach for the last three years and basically benched him this past season will now stand on the sideline opposite him on two occasions in 2026, that man, of course, being new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.”
The Packers are already favored to chip off the Vikings by some extent or two.
Norris added, “There still appears to be plenty of respect between Gannon and Murray, but that doesn’t mean these upcoming Packers-Vikings matchups won’t have a little more intrigue to them.”
“Perhaps Gannon isn’t thrilled that his first regular QB1 as a head coach couldn’t stay healthy (or at least healthy enough), and perhaps Murray wants to stick it to the head coach who benched him.”
The NFL common season is precisely 9 weeks away.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
