Do the Vikings Have the Best QB in the NFC North?
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings finished with nine wins. That landed them in a three-way tie, at least in the win column, amongst their divisional foes. They accomplished that reality despite starting a hurt and ineffective J.J. McCarthy, a veteran holdover in Carson Wentz, and an undrafted rookie in Max Brosmer.
This time around, the quarterback situation could not be different for the Vikings. They will have a competition, but McCarthy beating out veteran Kyler Murray would be something of a minor miracle. You can probably question Murray’s investment in his craft, but the talent has always been undeniable.
Murray Gives Minnesota a Real Quarterback Argument
So, assuming you get the best version of Murray at just $1.3 million, it’d be hard not to view the Minnesota Vikings as having the top quarterback situation in the division. Murray has played with ragtag offenses in Arizona, and he’s had less-than-desirable coaching situations as well. That couldn’t be further from what the Vikings will offer him.
As things stand currently, the cream of the crop in the NFC North would be a discussion between Caleb Williams and Jared Goff. The former has youth and development to his credit, while the latter has flourished, getting a new lease on life after leaving the Rams. Both are above-average signal callers, but I don’t think you can suggest either is a surefire star at their best.
The Green Bay Packers have the easiest bar to clear. Jordan Love is a good-not-great talent that seems cut from the Kirk Cousins cloth. He can manage a game and avoid losing it, but you’d be better off not asking him to be the difference maker that helps you win one. Green Bay also ponied up a bunch of money to lock into that situation, and it hampers what they can do around him.
Much of the suggestion that Murray is or can be the best land in a hypothetical realm. It assumes he performs to expectations and utilizes the full extent of his talent. If that happens, though, it’s hard not to believe the Vikings have a top 5-10 quarterback in the NFL, and they’ll gladly be paying him a handsome sum of money next offseason.
There seems to be far too much onus placed on the failures Murray has experienced while strapped down by the Arizona Cardinals. If you could bring yourself to believe in J.J. McCarthy with the Vikings, then leaning into what Murray may be should be easy.
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