Offseason Grades Are Largely Unimpressive for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings signed four main players in free agency: quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, cornerback James Pierre, and tackle Ryan Van Demark. After that, the club entered the 2026 NFL Draft under interim general manager Rob Brzezinski and traded outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard during the event.
For those activities, ESPN afforded the Vikings a ‘B-‘ grade, and NFL.com was not far off with a ‘C+.’
Vikings Gamble Still Comes Down to Murray and Banks
The Verdict on Vikings Offseason from ESPN
Seth Walder assigned an offseason grade to each NFL team this week, with Minnesota earning the ‘B-‘.
He explained, “The best thing about the Vikings’ offseason is them signing Murray to a veterans minimum deal, which was possible due to his offsets from his contract with the Cardinals. It was a boon for Minnesota. Murray’s services would be worth many millions more on the free market, and he provides an answer at quarterback in the wake of J.J. McCarthy’s rough 2025 season.”
“The Vikings released veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in March, consequences of ill-advised spending on the aging veterans the prior year. Those transactions left a hole at defensive tackle, which perhaps is why Minnesota reached for Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the draft, far earlier than he was expected to go (the Draft Day Predictor gave Banks only an 18% chance to be selected in the first round).”
Banks’s stock fell because of two foot injuries he sustained since the summer of 2025, including one at the NFL Combine in February — a broken foot.
“During the draft, the Vikings dealt Greenard, one of their best players, to the Eagles in exchange for two third-round picks. I don’t think it was worth it, especially in the current trade environment for high-end players. Despite only three sacks in 12 games last season, Greenard’s 23.2% pass rush win rate at edge would have ranked fourth at the position had he qualified,” Walder continued.
“The Vikings made a nice postdraft acquisition of Jauan Jennings on a one-year, $8 million deal. That’s good value for a No. 3 receiver, especially one with the upside Jennings showed in 2024, when he averaged 2.5 yards per route run.”
From NFL.com
That was the “good” grade. NFL.com’s Matt Okada handed Minnesota a ‘C+.’
After applauding the Murray signing, he wrote, “The rest of the offseason has been largely unimpressive, with the lowest free-agency spending in the league, per Over the Cap. The Vikes parted with a defensive stalwart in OLB Jonathan Greenard (trade), and safety Harrison Smith remains unsigned as of this writing. DTs Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released after ineffective one-year stints.”
“The Vikings had a less-than-stellar draft, highlighted by what I viewed as a reach on Banks at No. 18 overall. Snagging Jennings on a cheap deal in May was a plus, but unfortunately, nowhere near enough to elevate an otherwise-lackluster spring.”
Per both publications, the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles had especially impressive offseasons.
Hindsight Will Boil Down to Murray Signing and Banks Draft Pick
Offseason grades are just like trade grades and draft grades: they’re only legitimate with hindsight. Judging them now only provides something to talk about and gauge public opinion. For example, Walder gave the Seattle Seahawks a ‘B-‘ offseason grade in July 2025; they won the Super Bowl seven months later.
The Vikings offseason marks can move into the ‘A’ range if Murray cooks during his first season with Minnesota and prolongs his stay beyond one year. The same goes for Banks, who was a controversial pick at the time and remains so for some fans today. If Banks plays and performs efficiently, Minnesota will look like damn geniuses for seeing something other general managers did not. If he fires up a redshirt season, the Vikings will look silly.
Of course, wins will cure all offseason grades, too. The Vikings haven’t won a playoff game since 2019. It’s time to end the drought.
Teasley Now in Charge
What’s more, the Vikings ironically already have a clean slate. The team’s owners, the Wilfs, hired new general manager Nolan Teasley from the aforementioned Seahawks four weeks ago after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. There’s a built-in fix if 2026 offseason moves don’t amount to much — Teasley had nothing to do with those transactions, and he is currently assessing the roster and salary cap with fresh eyes.
Suppose the Vikings bank a winning record in 2026, along with a postseason trip — great. Teasley will merely be along for the ride. If the campaign goes pear-shaped, he’ll start anew in the 2027 offseason.
Oddsmakers expect Minnesota to win 8.5 games this season while finishing last in the NFC North.
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