Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy stands on the sideline at AT&T Stadium throughout a late-season matchup with Dallas, listening to teammates and workers between possessions. On Dec. 14, 2025, McCarthy remained engaged as Minnesota labored by means of the street contest towards the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, through the closing stretch of the common season. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
After a break, VikingsTerritory has reopened the mailbag, answering questions from the plenty and posting them weekly in a single article. The time feels acceptable, with coaching camp getting underway in about 2.5 weeks.
We picked the principle questions from of us’ submissions, and beneath are our solutions.
Vikings’ Summer season Image Stays Removed from Settled
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson secures a move towards Arizona at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, working into open area because the offense advances through the dwelling matchup. On Oct. 30, 2022, Jefferson finishes the reception whereas Minnesota assaults the Cardinals’ secondary and retains one other drive transferring in Minneapolis that afternoon. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Query: Do you assume the Vikings will attain the playoffs this yr?
Reply: Sure.
The one situation stopping the Vikings from a considerably apparent playoff push — the roster is nice sufficient for it — is the extent of competitors within the NFC North. All through the division’s historical past, there’s at all times not less than one “pushover” staff — normally the Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears. Generally even the Vikings.
These don’t exist anymore.
If Minnesota can conquer the strength-of-schedule concern, they will end not less than 10-7 this season. How do we all know that? Easy — the membership completed 9-8 final yr whereas showcasing bottom-of-the-barrel quarterback play. If the Vikings may very well be 9-8 with a rollercoaster model of J.J. McCarthy, they will safe a Wildcard playoff berth with a gentle model of Kyler Murray.
Always remember: Minnesota already has a championship-caliber protection, due to Brian Flores. Now, Kevin O’Connell should do his half on offense, empowering Murray to cook dinner.
We are saying an 11-6 document for the Vikings, with a Wildcard playoff recreation, most likely towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints.
Query: If Minnesota indicators any free brokers, who will or not it’s?
Reply: Leonard Floyd.
O’Connell and Floyd received a Tremendous Bowl collectively in 2021, and 5 years later, O’Connell arguably wants a 3rd move rusher. You possibly can just about “take your pick” at outdoors linebacker in free company — Floyd, Von Miller, or Jadeveon Clowney would do the trick for OLB3.
So, we anticipate Minnesota to signal an additional EDGE, both within the subsequent few weeks or on the finish of August when a barrage of unemployed move rushers hit the open market amid roster trimdowns.
Buffalo Payments defensive finish Leonard Floyd and security Jordan Poyer line up towards Washington at FedExField, getting ready for the following snap throughout an early-season street matchup. On Sep. 24, 2023, the veteran defenders settle into place as Buffalo’s protection reads the Commanders’ formation and will get able to assault from the road. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports activities.
A guard, too, would make sense as a result of the first backup guard proper now’s Joe Huber. The Vikings are one damage away from an offensive line that appears like this Week 1:
Christian Darrisaw (LT)
Donovan Jackson (LG)
Blake Brandel (C)
Joe Huber (RG)
Brian O’Neill (RT)
In years previous, Brandel can be nominated for backup guard responsibility, however that received’t work anymore. He can’t begin at guard and middle.
Fortunately, as with the OLB spot, a handful of respected depth guards can be found, resembling Will Hernandez and James Daniels.
Query: Any phrase on Harrison Smith? Is he coming again?
Reply: We predict so.
A couple of month in the past, certainly one of our sources advised us, “Hitman is coming back,” however that was prefaced with the caveat that “the announcement is coming soon.”
Right here we’re, lower than three weeks earlier than coaching camp arrives, and Smith has not introduced his determination. Smith turned up the fuel in December final yr, main the plenty to consider he might nonetheless carry out decently, even when the Vikings nominated him for a situational function in 2026.
The telling half right here is that Minnesota’s roster is sort of spectacular. Would Smith actually need to miss out on a playoff or Tremendous Bowl push the second Kyler Murray got here to city? We predict not.
It’s unclear when the announcement will hit, however VikingsTerritory operates below the idea that Smith will return final time in 2026.
Query: Who will win the quarterback battle at coaching camp?
Reply: Kyler Murray.
That is most likely the best query this week; we don’t contemplate the quarterback competitors a giant or mysterious factor. Since coming into the NFL, Murray has a greater EPA+CPOE than Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, and Daniel Jones, amongst others. We don’t consider that Murray wants a big push to place himself excessive as a worthwhile starter. He’s already there.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray delivers a move throughout minicamp on the staff’s follow facility in Eagan, working by means of one other offseason rep in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. In June 2026, Murray continues studying the system after signing for $1.3 million whereas getting ready for a high-profile quarterback competitors earlier than coaching camp later that summer time in Minnesota. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
We additionally preserve that J.J. McCarthy nonetheless has time to develop and change into an honest-to-goodness starter within the huge leagues. Generally quarterback maturation takes longer than 10 begins, which McCarthy has below his belt.
Each males even have a current historical past of damage. Whoever wins the battle will most likely get damage, not less than for a recreation or two, enabling the opposite man to get below middle and shine.
Ultimately, Murray has the expertise, arm power, passing accuracy, and pace to win this competitors. We don’t spend a lot time considering, “I wonder who will be the QB1?” To us, it’s Murray, and McCarthy will want an enormous upset to alter that.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
