All Things 2026 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

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Cardinals to my knowledge are the only team that has their own plane, painted up in team colors. I see it sitting there at Sky Harbor every time I fly in there and chuckle to myself.
 

coolhandgopher said:
Over that 5 year period, only the following quarterbacks have started more than 10 games each season: Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Pat Mahomes (ends this season), Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and Trevor Lawrence (the last two sneaking in with 10 games in one of those seasons). Every team should have a solid Plan B at quarterback, because all QB's are at high risk for injury.

In Murray's case, this past year's starting numbers were skewed, if I remember correctly, due to his coach choosing to start the journeyman Jacoby Brissett over a healthy Murray for a number of games, because of a clash of a power struggle between the two.

Look, Murray could flame out with the Vikings, but if he's not motivated coming into this season, he never will be, For the talent, the age, the cost, and the alternate options available, this seems as much of a no-brainer move as there ever has been. And while all of the negative press about Murray's attitude and commitment to the craft could be true, it would also be wise to consider that he's been playing in an organization that's been so dysfunctional throughout its existence, if they played in New York they would make the Jets look stalwart by comparison. Consider that someone pretty high up the chain with the Cardinals must have leaked to the press the language on the contract re: his video game playing, and you're looking at a fish head laying in the sun for three days organization that Murray is moving on from.

If nothing else, Murray provides hope of lightning in a bottle, which would not be the case with Derek Carr, Joe Flacco, Geno Smith, or a Kirk Cousins re-boot. There's been quite a run of second or third team QB's reviving their careers lately-Darnold, Mayfield, G. Smith, Goff, Malik Willis and Mac Jones (those last two being maybes). Only Goff had accomplished as much on the field as Murray prior to shuffling over from their first franchise, and while a trajectory of what arrived for Darnold in Seattle may seem impossible, it's a hell of a lot better odds than with the other cast of characters who were available this off-season.
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Well said.

I don’t love the pairing, but Murray is a talent and with the market and the roster, you want as much talent at the qb spot as you can get. A higher floor, Lower ceiling guy I don’t think puts this team in the Super Bowl and that’s all that matters
 

coolhandgopher said:
Over that 5 year period, only the following quarterbacks have started more than 10 games each season: Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Pat Mahomes (ends this season), Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and Trevor Lawrence (the last two sneaking in with 10 games in one of those seasons). Every team should have a solid Plan B at quarterback, because all QB's are at high risk for injury.

In Murray's case, this past year's starting numbers were skewed, if I remember correctly, due to his coach choosing to start the journeyman Jacoby Brissett over a healthy Murray for a number of games, because of a clash of a power struggle between the two.

Look, Murray could flame out with the Vikings, but if he's not motivated coming into this season, he never will be, For the talent, the age, the cost, and the alternate options available, this seems as much of a no-brainer move as there ever has been. And while all of the negative press about Murray's attitude and commitment to the craft could be true, it would also be wise to consider that he's been playing in an organization that's been so dysfunctional throughout its existence, if they played in New York they would make the Jets look stalwart by comparison. Consider that someone pretty high up the chain with the Cardinals must have leaked to the press the language on the contract re: his video game playing, and you're looking at a fish head laying in the sun for three days organization that Murray is moving on from.

If nothing else, Murray provides hope of lightning in a bottle, which would not be the case with Derek Carr, Joe Flacco, Geno Smith, or a Kirk Cousins re-boot. There's been quite a run of second or third team QB's reviving their careers lately-Darnold, Mayfield, G. Smith, Goff, Malik Willis and Mac Jones (those last two being maybes). Only Goff had accomplished as much on the field as Murray prior to shuffling over from their first franchise, and while a trajectory of what arrived for Darnold in Seattle may seem impossible, it's a hell of a lot better odds than with the other cast of characters who were available this off-season.
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The only thing I don't like about your post is the last paragraph. Because, Darnold did exactly what you're talking about with "lightning in a bottle" and yet Carr and Cousins are exactly the same QB's as like Darnold.
 

upnorthkid said:
Well said.

I don’t love the pairing, but Murray is a talent and with the market and the roster, you want as much talent at the qb spot as you can get. A higher floor, Lower ceiling guy I don’t think puts this team in the Super Bowl and that’s all that matters
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None of the QB options that were actually available to us -- so excluding the laughable Burrow "option" -- are taking the Vikings to the Super Bowl for the 2026 season.

And certainly neither is the bust McCarthy.


But winning a playoff game is on the table.
 

And since everything I've said above is correct and true, then minimizing the money spent in the way Murray does is probably the most obvious move that there was to be made.

In a magical "do the best possible football move only for the 2026 season, don't care about any other factor, but has to be a reasonable move, so Mac Jones and Burrow are off the table" .... then it's easily Cousins, Rodgers, or maybe Carr.
 


kg21 said:
The Vikings won 9 games last year with brutal qb play.

I don't think there is a great team in our division.

All can be good and not great.

Let's play!
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What have you done with the regular whiny ass, find a way to complain about a victory kg21???
 

coolhandgopher said:
Over that 5 year period, only the following quarterbacks have started more than 10 games each season: Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Pat Mahomes (ends this season), Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and Trevor Lawrence (the last two sneaking in with 10 games in one of those seasons). Every team should have a solid Plan B at quarterback, because all QB's are at high risk for injury.

In Murray's case, this past year's starting numbers were skewed, if I remember correctly, due to his coach choosing to start the journeyman Jacoby Brissett over a healthy Murray for a number of games, because of a clash of a power struggle between the two.

Look, Murray could flame out with the Vikings, but if he's not motivated coming into this season, he never will be, For the talent, the age, the cost, and the alternate options available, this seems as much of a no-brainer move as there ever has been. And while all of the negative press about Murray's attitude and commitment to the craft could be true, it would also be wise to consider that he's been playing in an organization that's been so dysfunctional throughout its existence, if they played in New York they would make the Jets look stalwart by comparison. Consider that someone pretty high up the chain with the Cardinals must have leaked to the press the language on the contract re: his video game playing, and you're looking at a fish head laying in the sun for three days organization that Murray is moving on from.

If nothing else, Murray provides hope of lightning in a bottle, which would not be the case with Derek Carr, Joe Flacco, Geno Smith, or a Kirk Cousins re-boot. There's been quite a run of second or third team QB's reviving their careers lately-Darnold, Mayfield, G. Smith, Goff, Malik Willis and Mac Jones (those last two being maybes). Only Goff had accomplished as much on the field as Murray prior to shuffling over from their first franchise, and while a trajectory of what arrived for Darnold in Seattle may seem impossible, it's a hell of a lot better odds than with the other cast of characters who were available this off-season.
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🎤🎙️

Drop
 

jamiche said:
I have no idea how this is going to play out in term of wins and losses. Anybody who says that they do is a little goofy in the head.

What I can say with confidence is that the Vikings historical ability to keep things interesting exceeds their ability to win football games, especially when it matters.

Given the rate of injuries in the NFL, if I were McCarthy's agent, girlfriend, parents and friends, I'd recommend that he prepare diligently for the season. I wouldn't be shocked if we see articles after a four game McCarthy led win streak describing a newly "matured" QB who has put alter ego #9 back in the sock drawer where it belongs and leaves the griddy in the end zone thing to his best pal, Justin Jefferson.

It's a crazy league with a lazy media that's mostly beholden to the teams. KOC as "QB whisperer"... etc.etc.
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Jamiche sees it clearly. Something is broken in NFL reporting. Dude put it better than I tried to explain for months.
 

coolhandgopher said:
Look, Murray could flame out with the Vikings, but if he's not motivated coming into this season, he never will be,
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This is 100% correct. I'm just cautioning, therein lies the potential issue. Motivation HAS been an issue during his time in the NFL. When your team feels the need to put a clause in your big-time franchise QB contract that you have to actually study film and study the playbook (and lay off Call of Duty), that is a big problem.

Murray is an odd duck, he'll rub some folks the wrong way and the first time this goes sideways (which I am rooting like hell it does NOT), we may see some of those peccadillos start to crop up again.
 



GopherGrit said:
None of the QB options that were actually available to us -- so excluding the laughable Burrow "option" -- are taking the Vikings to the Super Bowl for the 2026 season.
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So QBs "take" teams to championships?

Sam Darnold "took" Seattle to their title?

Is Sam Arnold better than Kyler Murray?
 


Slim Tubby said:
What would you have done at QB this offseason if you were the Vikings GM? Not being sarcastic at all...just curious what direction you would've chosen.
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I would have done exactly what they did. If you had to pay Murray market rate, not a chance. But at what they’re paying him? Absolutely. I’m just skeptical as hell that it’ll end well. But that’s why they play the games.

I would have preferred they run JJM out there and confirm whether hes the guy or not. And if not, find a long term guy, whether that’s drafting another or trading for Burrow. As I highly doubt Murray is a long-term solution. And as a Vikings fan, I am just so run-down on short term QB after short term QB.

My comment wasn’t necessarily shitting on Murray, it was more of a “dude is hurt almost every year he’s played, so let’s temper any expectations”. At the very least it’ll be interesting and my 11-year old is super excited, so that’s good enough for me.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
This is 100% correct. I'm just cautioning, therein lies the potential issue. Motivation HAS been an issue during his time in the NFL. When your team feels the need to put a clause in your big-time franchise QB contract that you have to actually study film and study the playbook (and lay off Call of Duty), that is a big problem.

Murray is an odd duck, he'll rub some folks the wrong way and the first time this goes sideways (which I am rooting like hell it does NOT), we may see some of those peccadillos start to crop up again.
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I saw somewhere on the inter webs that Murray or his agent has already contacted multiple teams about the '27 season. Who knows if it's true. Agree that Murray should be hyper motivated. That doesn't mean he has the emotional stamina to stay hyper motivated. When he inevitably has a rough outing is he going to stay focused on the $150M contract just ahead or revert back to who and what he's always been?

Absolutely well worth the $1.3M risk.

JJ would be stupid to get mopey about this. The pressure is off of him and he will get his chance to shine this year.
 



forever a gopher said:
I would have done exactly what they did. If you had to pay Murray market rate, not a chance. But at what they’re paying him? Absolutely. I’m just skeptical as hell that it’ll end well. But that’s why they play the games.

I would have preferred they run JJM out there and confirm whether hes the guy or not. And if not, find a long term guy, whether that’s drafting another or trading for Burrow. As I highly doubt Murray is a long-term solution. And as a Vikings fan, I am just so run-down on short term QB after short term QB.

My comment wasn’t necessarily shitting on Murray, it was more of a “dude is hurt almost every year he’s played, so let’s temper any expectations”. At the very least it’ll be interesting and my 11-year old is super excited, so that’s good enough for me.
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Have you ordered his #1 jersey yet?
 

jamiche said:
I saw somewhere on the inter webs that Murray or his agent has already contacted multiple teams about the '27 season. Who knows if it's true. Agree that Murray should be hyper motivated. That doesn't mean he has the emotional stamina to stay hyper motivated. When he inevitably has a rough outing is he going to stay focused on the $150M contract just ahead or revert back to who and what he's always been?

Absolutely well worth the $1.3M risk.

JJ would be stupid to get mopey about this. The pressure is off of him and he will get his chance to shine this year.
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What’s not being factored in, is that for there’s a big difference between being 22 and having dominated and pushing 30 and hopefully having found out thst it requires sustained effort to reach a taller summit.

Most people’s 29 year old version is different than their 22 year old self.
 



Good news for Vikings fans, as no doubt they will be in the market for a Day 3 Tight End.

 

The more I read about KOC the more I am beginning to think he is a self serving dishonest person. Hooray
 



Slim Tubby said:
Waddle is a quality receiver in between his frequent trips to the IR. That's a terrible overpay by DEN in my opinion.
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He’s missed 6 games in 5 years. He’s almost always on the injury report, but plays most of the time.

It’s still a massive overpay though
 

Yeah he's only missed 6 games the last 3 years but hasn't been very productive when he is playing.
 

upnorthkid said:
He’s missed 6 games in 5 years. He’s almost always on the injury report, but plays most of the time.

It’s still a massive overpay though
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As his Dynasty owner, I would need a third hand to count the # of times he's gotten injured in the 1st Half of a game and never returned.
 




Chandler found a new home.

Even further reinforcing that the Vikings will likely be in the market for a Day 3 RB.

 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
Chandler found a new home.

Even further reinforcing that the Vikings will likely be in the market for a Day 3 RB.

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I think when we re-signed Zavier Scott (and Aaron Jones), that sealed Chandler's fate in MIN. There will be a ton of intriguing RB's available on Day 3 that would interest me.

We have a lot more pressing holes to fill so my guess is RB is near the bottom of our priority list unless there's a guy we really like in the 4-5 rounds.

Jonah Coleman (WAS), Nicholas Singleton (PSU) and Kaytron Allen (PSU) all have good talent and are currently projected to go in the 4th Round.
 

howeda7 said:
The Broncos need another WR, but yeah that is way too much.
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It seems like a lot, absolutely, although after looking at these numbers, it sure isn't terrible.

Have to remember that for a lot of that time, Tyreek Hill was taking a LOT of attention away from Waddle

 

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