SEASON PREDICTION 

Minnesota has decided to move on from NINE (JJ McCarthey) after just one year under center. HC Kevin O' Connell told the media that he is rolling with Kyler Murray as the QB1 for the season, with the decisions coming quickly so that the starter could get more practice reps with the first team unit before the season starts. The JJ draft pick was so bad that the GM who made the selection has since left the organization. Unfortunately, with videos circulating online about the Vikings training camp battle Murray doesn't seem like he is having a great campaign but due to how terrible the QB battle is he was able to scrape by. Luckily Murray will have all the help he can get with one of the best QB whispers as his HC and a top 3 WR to throw the ball to.   

Fortunately for Minesota they were able to retain their elite DC Brian Flores during the free agency poaching period, and his help will be desperately needed once more this season. Last year Flores unit was able to keep the Vikings competitive and above .500 for the regular season despite how little production they got out of the offense. While the offense ranked 29th in passing and 28th in toal offense, Flores unit maintained the 3rd ranked total defense. This year he will have 8 returning Vikings players to his defense and have a new wrinkle in the secondary that could make this defense even more lethal. That addition is James Pierre who ranked 2nd in PFF last year out of 114 CBs. In his time with Pittsburgh last year, he recorded 9 pass breakups, 1 INT and a fumble return TD all in only 5 games starting. He will be joining his DB coach and have a full-time role as a starter in this 3-4 D. I have high expectations for Pierre and expect him to be one of the Vikings best offseason pickups ending the season as their definitive CB1. On their front seven they return their standout LB In Cashman who recorded 144 tackles, paired with Dallas Turner who seems ready for another leap following his 8-sack campaign. With Flores at the helm, I envision the Vikings getting carried once more by his brilliance and can only hope the offense can pick up the slack to alleviate some pressure off this unit.  

Regarding the offense I am cautiously optimistic about what Kyler can do when all the chips are in his favor. We have seen Kevin O' Connell revitalize the career of Sam Darnold and even get competent QB play out of players like Josh Dobbs, so I do believe he can access what little talent Murray still has left in the tank. My big concern, however, is that the RB room is lacking in star power, which is something that Mineestoa can ill afford when opposing defenses already have little respect for Murray. In 2025 Murray didn't complete a single pass over 30 yards which is an indication that defenses will run a lot of run heavy coverages such as cover 1 until Murray can beat them over the top. If Murray does not have the accuracy (which he hasn't shown in camp) then Jordan Mason will have to run into heavy boxes all game. As a personal opinion devoid of any statistical measures, I am not high on Mason capabilities as a runner and as for Aaron Jones he has unfortunately passed his prime and lost his explosiveness. With a tilted running game favoring the defense in numbers and Murray having yet to prove he can sling it downfield, it leaves one possible offensive strategy to move the ball, quick screen passes and short hitch routes for his WRs. Due to Jefferson and Addison’s talent, they should have no issue beating blanket zones and making defenders miss in open space in the screen game. This duo is the strongest part of the offense by a longshot, and O' Connell should be fully intent in using them in all facets in the game especially with how lacking he is in the other position groups relative to division rivals.  

All things considered the success of this season will fully dependent on the QB play from Murray. The defense will give him a crutch to fall back on and extra opportunities which will hopefully alleviate the pressure off his back and allow him to play free and aggressive, taking shots downfield to his superstar WR. The final season record of the Vikings all depends on how highly you think of Murray and how much confidence you have in him bouncing back with a fresh new team. I have fairly low expectations on his ability to get back to 2021 form which is why even with the elite defense and great WR weapons I have Minnesota finishing out the 2026 campaign with a 6-11 record.