Minnesota Vikings followers have a good time throughout a Thanksgiving night time matchup towards the New England Patriots on Nov. 24, 2022, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The nationally televised recreation featured a playoff-style ambiance because the Vikings improved their document throughout Kevin O’Connell’s first season main the franchise in entrance of one other packed house crowd. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The Minnesota Vikings’ free company in 2026 was not as busy because the 2024 and 2025 variations, however the high quality of gamers — primarily new quarterback Kyler Murray — would possibly take the cake, in accordance with CBS Sports activities.
Minnesota’s roster reset is drawing nationwide consideration after an aggressive offseason.
That web site summed up every staff’s offseason in a single phrase this week, and for Minnesota, the time period was “quarterback.”
Murray Offers Vikings a Completely different Offensive Ceiling
Are you stoked about Murray because the Vikings’ QB1?
CBS Sports activities on Vikings’ Improve and Offseason
Zachary Pereles supplied a one-word evaluation for every NFL staff’s offseason, and for the Vikings, he wrote: “Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback. Player who exemplifies it: Kyler Murray. No team needed — and got — as immediate a quarterback upgrade as the Vikings. Murray is an enigmatic, sometimes-frustrating and oft-injured player. But he’s also a major talent, and he’s joining Kevin O’Connell, who has gotten the very best out of lesser talents.”
“Despite getting some of the worst quarterback play in the league last year (32nd in TD-Int ratio, 31st in sack rate), the Vikings finished 9-8. Brian Flores’ defenses are consistently among the better groups in the NFL. But a team can only go so far without starting-caliber quarterback play.”
The Arizona Cardinals are paying Murray to play for the Vikings; Minnesota acquired him for $1.3 million.
Pereles added, “Last year, that would have been enough for Minnesota to make the playoffs. Even in his worst years, Murray has been just that. At his best, he has been much, much more than that — a Pro Bowler and fringe top-10 player at the position.”
“His rushing abilities add a dynamic that O’Connell hasn’t had before and could be a crucial addition. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and recently acquired Jauan Jennings form an excellent receiver trio.”
The Sky Is the Restrict for Murray
Murray shouldn’t be merely a quarterback trying to lastly hit it huge within the NFL; he’s persevering with his story — one which was already respectable in Arizona by way of seven seasons.
When wholesome, Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns (speeding and passing), and round 600 speeding yards each 17 begins. In fact, he’s missed a couple of quarter of all begins since 2019 as a result of damage, however he’ll hope for a clear invoice of well being in 2026.
Murray may even have one thing to show after the Cardinals kicked him to the curb. Arizona’s possession isn’t precisely recognized for concord, and being booted by the Cardinals comes with an particularly sharp sense of embarrassment. Murray will probably be out to show everybody fallacious this season, which bodes effectively for the Vikings and the staff’s followers.
SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Murray: “With the best group of weapons he’s ever had around him, Murray has the chance in 2026 to finally show off why so many have been so high on him since his college days. There are certainly doubters about Murray’s fit in Minnesota, but Kevin O’Connell has a track record of pulling highly-successful seasons out of veteran quarterbacks.”
“The loaded offense and the tutelage of O’Connell are big reasons why former Ravens and Jets linebacker Bart Scott is setting the bar very high for Murray in 2026.”
Now, He Has a Job to Safe in Eagan
The QB1 job shouldn’t be preordained for Murray. He’ll should earn it. Most anticipate Murray to win the starter’s job this summer season considerably handily, however you understand, he has to truly try this first.
It’s already began, the Vikings promoting a real coaching camp and preseason battle between final yr’s starter, 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy, and Murray. McCarthy performed 10 video games final season, showcasing some candy moments but additionally common inconsistency. He has a tough time staying upright and wholesome, too, succumbing to a excessive ankle sprain, concussion, and damaged bone in his hand. And that was all after lacking his rookie season with a torn meniscus.
Murray is the odds-on frontrunner to be the Vikings’ QB1 in 2026, however he nonetheless has to grab the job this summer season.
Underrated Offseason Additions and Buzzwords?
CBS Sports activities says the Vikings’ important phrase this offseason was “quarterback.” Whereas that works, others can apply, as effectively.
“Modest” involves thoughts — the Vikings didn’t spend a lot money in free company, resetting their wage cap after doling out a great deal of money in 2024 and 2025. “Shock” can describe the membership’s 1st-Spherical choose, defensive sort out Caleb Banks. Most assumed Minnesota would draft Oregon security Dillon Thieneman in Spherical 1 final month and name it good. As a substitute, the Vikings swerved, grabbing Banks, who’s coming off back-to-back foot accidents.
One other could be “Brian Flores.” Two spectacular jobs opened up in January: the pinnacle teaching spots for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, a pair of ultra-reputable organizations. Flores landed neither submit and ended up with a big contract extension with the Vikings.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
