The Vikings QBs

The Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Kyler Murray. For the fourth time in franchise history, the Vikings have added a quarterback that was selected with the first pick in their draft. Murray was the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He joins the following as Vikings #1s.

George Shaw - selected #1 by the Baltimore Colts in 1955

Jeff George - selected #1 by the Indianapolis Colts in 1990

Sam Bradford - selected #1 by the St. Louis Rams in 2010

That was just a little bit of trivia that occurred to me in the wake of the Kyler Murray signing. George Shaw started the first game in Vikings franchise history. While there should be a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy, Murray is expected to be the starter for the next game. 

Last year, the Vikings 2025 season was derailed before it even got started. The quarterback plan was to let Sam Darnold get an unaffordable payday from another team, re-sign Daniel Jones, and have a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy and Jones. It was a good plan. I was for it when it was happening. A year later, I still think it was the right plan. The unexpected happened when Jones opted for a more assured starting opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts. No one can blame him for that. Where the Vikings went wrong was not immediately pivoting to another quarterback path. The team’s decision-makers didn’t address the QB2 role until a draft day trade for Sam Howell. That didn’t work and it took until late August to address it not working. In my opinion, the Vikings should’ve signed Carson Wentz about a day after Jones signed with the Colts. Criticism is always easy a year after. Anyway, the Vikings wanted no part in possibly repeating last year’s quarterback mistakes. Everyone in the building knew that they had to put together a quarterback room strong enough to plow through any adversity. They didn’t do that last year. Repeat that mistake and those involved might be looking for new jobs next year. 

Kyler Murray was the best quarterback available through trade or free agency. The Vikings signed him. Signing him for a league-minimum $1.3 million is an unbelievable plus. His addition to the roster gives the Vikings a current quarterback room very different from last year’s motley group.

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Max Brosmer

Brett Rypien

John Wolford

I expect and it’s expected that the Vikings will sign another experienced quarterback. For a variety of reasons, Carson Wentz is a leading contender. He’s my leading contender. 

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

I can get behind that group. With the way quarterback injuries derailed two of Kevin O’Connell’s four seasons as the Vikings head coach, I’d like to see the above three quarterbacks and about three practice squad quarterbacks in the QB room. 

Welcome to Minnesota, Kyler Murray. 

It’s Kyler Murray Time

The first professional football game I attended was on December 17, 1978. Vikings - Raiders in Oakland. As a young Vikings fan from California, it was the first time I saw all of my heroes live and in person. Well, all but Alan Page as he was released earlier that season. That was a damn shame. Page was my favorite Vikings player. Still is. That Vikings - Raiders game was the last regular season game of Fran Tarkenton’s fantastic career. He was the Vikings first franchise quarterback. Due to an impossible amount of bad luck and perhaps some questionable decisions, the Vikings are still looking for their next franchise quarterback. Injuries wrecked the promising careers of the top contenders. Tommy Kramer, Daunte Culpepper, and Teddy Bridgewater. It’s been nearly 50 years since Tarkenton retired. I’ve spent all of those years dreaming of the day that the Vikings find the quarterback to take the baton from Tarkenton and consistently stay on the field for more than a decade. 

Earlier this offseason, I was absolutely against the Vikings signing Kyler Murray. I have faith in J.J. McCarthy. I will continue to have faith in the kid for as long as he’s on the roster. I can often be optimistic to a fault. I know that the Vikings must have a much stronger quarterback room than they had last year. It’s not a high bar. Murray would make the room much stronger. It’d be nice if it’s made even stronger with the re-signing of Carson Wentz. That’s a decision for another day. Today’s decision concerns Kyler Murray. Many reports have him in Minnesota for a visit with the Vikings decision-makers. After dealing with the cheapness of the Arizona Cardinals for the past seven years, TCO Performance Center should feel like Valhalla in comparison. That’s gotta be a perk for keeping him in the building. Most of the talking heads across the league see the Vikings-Murray union as pretty much a done deal. There’s been too much history of “done deals” not being “done deals” for me to be settled until Murray has signed a contract. If that happens, I want to see a quarterback competition. I don’t want to see the Vikings quarterback job simply handed to Murray upon signing. I didn’t like seeing the job seemingly handed to McCarthy last year. A legitimate competition would bring the best out of everyone involved. Most would expect Murray to win the competition. He has the experience, the talent and the first-pick-in-the-draft pedigree. No matter who wins the competition, the Vikings 2026 starting quarterback will be better for it. 

Even if Kyler Murray is signed and wins the Vikings starting quarterback job, it’s not the end of J.J. McCarthy’s time in Minnesota. He’s only 23. Aaron Rodgers was 25 when he became the Green Bay Packers starter. Steve Young was 30 when he finally got his Hall of Fame started as the starter with the San Francisco 49ers. Kurt Warner was 28 when a Trent Green injury gave him a starting opportunity. McCarthy has the talent to be a long-time starter. Maybe he’s ready this year. Maybe he just needs to let everything slow down a bit. Who knows? I do know that the Vikings quarterback situation will be much better and the team will be much better if Kyler Murray is signed. I didn’t believe that a couple months ago. I believe it now. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Ledger

After two days of occasionally furious action, the 2026 NFL offseason officially opens this afternoon. With all of the “legal tampering” deals, the actual opening of free agency always feels anticlimactic. In advance of the official moment, here’s a look at the Minnesota Vikings free agent ledger.

Staying

Eric Wilson, LB

Tavierre Thomas, S

Andrew DePaola, LS

Jalen Redmond, DL

Bo Richter, OLB

Zavier Scott, RB

Departing

Aaron Jones, RB

Jonathan Allen, DL

Javon Hargrave, DL

Jalen Nailor, WR - signed with Las Vegas Raiders

Ryan Wright, P - signed with New Orleans Saints

Incoming

James Pierre, CB 

It’s been a fairly calm start to Vikings free agency. That should pick up today. There could be quarterback news. There could be some signings. The Vikings have several needs that must be addressed. 

Cornerback

Safety

Defensive Line

Center 

Running Back

Receiver Depth

James Pierre is a nice addition but the cornerback room could still use some strengthening. At safety, Harrison Smith should reveal this week whether he’s back for a 15th season. I’m not ready to see a Vikings defense without #22. With or without Smith, safety is a need. The defensive line group is a remarkable collection of undrafted, underrated, and unheralded football players. Despite my high hopes for the group, they could use some support. I see and hope center is addressed early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Same with running back but I’d also like to see a free agent addition. Same with receiver. 

Some free agent signing hopes:

Kyler Murray, QB

Keaton Mitchell, RB

Juaun Jennings, WR

Nick Cross, S

The free agency fun “starts” this afternoon. 

Minnesota Vikings Tampering: Day 1

It was another frantic Day 1 of NFL tampering. Within minutes of the window opening, Olamide Zaccheaus was signed by the Atlanta Falcons and Dre’Mont Jones was signed by the New England Patriots. There’s no way either deal was negotiated in those few minutes of “legal tampering.” There was some “illegal tampering.” Everyone knows it and accepts it. With player-team agreements being reported at ridiculous rate, it was a very active Day 1. 

It was a fairly slow day for the Minnesota Vikings. With the team having to scramble the past week to simply get to the right side of salary cap space, this free agency wasn’t expected to be very busy. The Vikings did sign one player from another team.

James Pierre, CB

James Pierre agreed to a two year deal worth up to $8.25 million. $3.7 million is guaranteed and includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. It’s a low-cost contract for a quality cornerback. Pierre started 13 games over six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the analytics-centric folks, PFF loves him as he was rated the #2 cornerback in the league last season. At 6’2”, he brings some much-needed size to the Vikings cornerbacks. Byron Murphy Jr. is 5’11” and Isaiah Rodgers is 5’10”. If this is the team’s top corner trio in 2026, they’ll be much better than they were in 2025. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is familiar with Pierre from his single season on the Steelers coaching staff in 2022. New defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander coached Pierre with the Steelers from 2022-23 and last season. If there’s a coach that knows Pierre, that coach is Alexander. The Vikings got better with the addition of James Pierre. 

The Vikings added one player but lost two players on the first day of the”legal tampering.” The New Orleans Saints stole punter/holder Ryan Wright. The Las Vegas Raiders stole receiver Jalen Nailor. Both players headed to familiar places. Wright spent his college days at Tulane. Nailor attended Bishop Gorman  High School in Las Vegas. That sort of sentimentality is the only thing that could pry a Vikings player away from Minnesota. 

Other Day 1 activity

Re-signed:

Zavier Scott, RB

Bo Richter, OLB

Now, it’s on to Day 2. Much of the pre-offseaon talk has been about the Vikings quarterback situation. That probably won’t be addressed until Kyler Murray, and others, are officially released, and made available, tomorrow afternoon. Other than the quarterback position, the Vikings need to address the following position needs. 

Safety 

Cornerback

Running Back

Center

Defensive Line

Receiver

Despite the addition of James Pierre, cornerback is still a need. It’ll probably be addressed in Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft. I expect running back and center to also be seriously addressed in the draft. Here are some of the players I’d really like to see the Vikings sign.

Nick Cross, S

Logan Hall, DL

Juaun Jennings, WR

Keaton Mitchell, RB

And, of course:

Kyler Murray

It’s on to Day 2. 

A Minnesota Vikings Dream Free Agency

What can be considered a dream is always in the eye of the beholder. In this case, the eye is mine. At this moment in time, this is a Minnesota Vikings free agency that I wouldn’t mind seeing. It might change in the next moment. For this moment, this is it.

As a result of recent massaging of their salary cap situation, the Minnesota Vikings went from roughly $45 million over the cap to roughly $32 million under the cap. That gives them the spending ability to add a few players. Backup quarterback/a quarterback to seriously challenge J.J. McCarthy is the biggest talking point, if not the biggest need. It’s always about the quarterback in today’s NFL. After that little position issue, these are the positions that I see are in the greatest need of improvements from free agency.

Cornerback

Safety

Running Back

Center

Linebacker was one of the top needs. Last night’s news that Eric Wilson was re-signed lessened the position as a serious need. With the above positions in mind, here is my dream free agency for the Minnesota Vikings.

Signings

Cor’Dale Flott, CB

Roger McCreary, CB

Nick Cross, S

Kyler Murray, QB

I’m not sure if the Vikings can afford the contracts of the above players. I feel like all are somewhat under-the-radar signings. I liked Montaric Brown at cornerback until this morning’s news that he’d re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Next up is Cor’Dale Flott. Like Brown, Flott is in the back-end of both ESPN and NFL.com’s Top 100 Free Agents. In the Vikings defense, I believe Flott would start nicely opposite Isiah Rodgers on the outside with Byron Murphy Jr. on the inside. I’ve liked Roger McCreary since the Tennessee Titans selected him out of Auburn in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a corner that I much preferred over Andrew Booth Jr. in that draft. The Titans selected McCreary seven picks before the Vikings selected Booth. Flott, Rodgers, Murphy, and McCreary would give Brian Flores and new secondary coach Gerald Alexander some corner options. Nick Cross is about fifth among the top free agent safeties. I guess we’ll find out in a few days how that translates into his new contract. 

As for quarterback, it feels like things are lining up for Kyler Murray coming to Minnesota. I’ve warmed considerably to this possibility. J.J. McCarthy should face serious competition for the Vikings quartererback job. Murray would provide that. And his expected vet minimum salary is an added perk. I’d also like to see the Vikings re-sign Carson Wentz. A quarterback room of McCarthy, Murray, and Wentz could do wonders for my peace of mind. 

Center and running back are significant needs. The Vikings could address those needs in free agency. Right now, I’m looking at the draft for those positions. I like several of the centers that should be available on Day 2. Day 2 would also be a good day to select a running back. The Vikings currently have three Day 2 picks. If center and running back were addressed in free agency, Cade Mays and Kenneth Gainwell would be nice additions. 

Whatever happens, it all gets started today with the opening of the “legal tampering” window. 

Another Mock Draft

Last Friday’s big trade of defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens forced the need for another mock draft. As if I needed a reason for another mock draft! The Raiders received a first-round pick this year and next for Crosby. There are now five teams with two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Las Vegas Raiders: 1,14

New York Jets: 2,16

Cleveland Browns: 6,24

Kansas City Chiefs: 9,29

Dallas Cowboys: 12,20

The big Maxx Crosby trade made me forget about the big Trent McDuffie trade. Earlier last week, the Chiefs traded the talented corner to the Rams for their first round pick and a few other picks. The Rams had been one of four teams with two first round picks. Now, the Chiefs are one of five teams with two first round picks. 

Thus, the need for another mock draft. 

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2.   New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

3.   Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

4.   Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5.   New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6.   Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

7.   Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

8.   New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

9.   Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

12. Dallas Cowboys: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

14. Las Vegas Raiders (from Ravens): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

16. New York Jets (from Colts): Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

26. Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

27. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

30. Denver Broncos: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

32. Seattle Seahawks: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Until the next one. 

Minnesota Vikings Are Under The Cap

With several bookkeeping moves, the Minnesota Vikings are under the NFL salary cap of just over $301 million. More accurately, the Vikings will be under the salary cap when the new league year starts next Wednesday. 

The Vikings entered the week roughly $45 million over the salary cap. It was a daunting hole but one that wasn’t expected to be too difficult to fill. 

The first moves:

Aaron Jones release: saves $7.75 million

Javon Hargrave release: saves ~$11 million

Jonathan Allen release: saves ~$6.5 million

The releases won’t officially happen until Wednesday. For now, the three moves are projected. There’s still the chance that the Vikings might be able to swing a trade for the above players. That could save even more cash. Seeing as the Vikings have already made it known that the players will be released, a trade is unlikely. The Aaron Jones release is the most painful. The Jonathan Allen is the most surprising. In only two seasons, Jones has been excellent on and off the field. Despite all his time with the Green Bay Packers, he will always be a Viking to me. Allen’s release was surprising as the Vikings will carry ~$17 million in dead cap space. For a savings of only ~$6.5 million, I thought that it might be best if he was still on the roster. It felt like a better option than essentially paying ~$17 million for him to play elsewhere. He didn’t play to the level that many expected but he was solid throughout last season. The Vikings do have some young defensive linemen that will get an opportunity boost with Allen’s release. 

More moves:

Justin Jefferson contract restructure: saves ~$18 million

Christian Darrisaw contract restructure: saves ~$9 million

Byron Murphy Jr. contract restructure: saves ~11.3 million

These were all expected. Mechanisms are often built into the bigger contracts that allow teams to move money around to save money in the present. It gives teams the ability to “massage” their salary cap situation to best fit their current needs. 

Final move:

Ryan Kelly retires: ~$8.3 million

This was both sad and a relief. Ryan Kelly is a great football player. In a perfect world, he’d be the Vikings center for at least another season and help carry the team to great heights. This isn’t a perfect world and Kelly has had a worrisome number of concussions. His health, both now and moving forward, is far more important than the game. 

Current Estimated Cap Space:

~$26.8 million

With a few simple moves, some painful, the Vikings moved from roughly $45 million on the wrong side of the salary cap to roughly $27 million on the right side of it. Further cap space could be created with a contract extension for Brian O’Neill (he’s earned it) and contract adjustments with T.J. Hockenson (his contract is high for the recent on-field production). 

Unless something unexpected happens, the Vikings won’t be swimming in salary cap space but they will have enough to be able to add some players in the fast-approaching spending spree of NFL Free Agency. Some secondary help would be nice.