10 Vikings Things That Matter with 10 Weeks to Go before Showtime
Yes, the countdown is around 10 weeks until Minnesota Vikings regular season football, and yes, we have 10 things for you to know before that September 13th game at home against the Green Bay Packers.
To set the table, sportsbooks expect the Vikings to win just eight or nine games this year, so if they plan to reach the playoffs — and maybe even win a game in the tournament — they must beat the odds, as they did in 2024.
Kyler Murray’s Discount Deal Takes the Cake for Vikings Offseason
1. The Cardinals Are Paying Kyler Murray to Play for the Vikings
The Cardinals are shouldering most of Murray’s salary while he plays for the Vikings. Minnesota is only responsible for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, a fraction of the $36.8 million Arizona remains obligated to pay under Murray’s previous contract.
The unusual financial arrangement allows the Vikings to acquire a former top draft pick for the cost of a backup or a player competing for a starting role, while the Cardinals bear the substantial financial burden. It remains to be seen if Murray can revitalize his career in Minnesota, but from a financial perspective, it’s an exceptionally favorable deal for the Vikings. It might be the best deal in professional sports right now.
2. Half of All Vikings Starters Are Scheduled to Hit 2027 Free Agency
Vikings football could look a whole lot different in 2027. These men are scheduled to test the open market next offseason:
- Blake Brandel (OL)
- Blake Cashman (LB)
- Andrew DePaola (LS)
- T.J. Hockenson (TE)
- Theo Jackson (S)
- Aaron Jones (RB)
- Jauan Jennings (WR)
- Jordan Mason (RB)
- Kyler Murray (QB)
- Brian O’Neill (OT)
- Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)
- Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
- Ryan Van Demark (OT)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
- Jay Ward (S)
- Carson Wentz (QB)
3. The New General Manager Is Tight-Lipped
Minnesota hired Nolan Teasley at the end of May, and at his introductory press conference, reporters asked him in-depth questions. He replied with short, diplomatic answers.
His predecessor, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, often divulged the team’s roster construction process. Those days are over. Teasley will never say too much.
4. Vikings Have Best WR1-WR2-WR3 Setup since Moss-Carter-Reed
In no way, shape, or form are Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings better than Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. But they’re the best threesome since Moss-Carter-Reed. The Vikings finally emphasized the WR3 spot this offseason. The days of Bisi Johnson, K.J. Osborn, and Jalen Nailor — decent at best — third wide receivers are paused.
5. Brian Flores Will See the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa — in Separate Games
In Week 4, Flores will face his former employer, the Miami Dolphins. That franchise unceremoniously fired him five years ago, setting in motion an ongoing lawsuit against the league. Flores can get redemption on the field against Miami at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 4th.
Eight weeks later, the Vikings face the Atlanta Falcons, a team that could be led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who called Flores a “terrible person” in the summer of 2024.
A double dose of Flores revenge.
6. No Western U.S. Games
The westernmost points on Minnesota’s 2026 schedule are Mexico City and Minneapolis, believe it or not. If you live Vikings games in California, Colorado, and Arizona, you are out of luck this year — unless the Vikings reach the playoffs.
7. Remember the Alternate Year Theory
A brief history of the Vikings’ performance over the last dozen years:
2014 Vikings: Average
2015 Vikings: Good
2016 Vikings: Average
2017 Vikings: Good
2018 Vikings: Average
2019 Vikings: Good
2020 Vikings: Average
2021 Vikings: Average
2022 Vikings: Good
2023 Vikings: Average
2024 Vikings: Good
2025 Vikings: Average
It’s time for another playoff trip, by the numbers.
8. EDGE Depth Is Different This Time
In years past, the Vikings would roll into September with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Or, before that, Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith, and D.J. Wonnum. After the Greenard trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota no longer has a go-to OLB3, unless rookie Jake Golday or second-year DT Tyrion Ingram Dawkins are ready for the job.
The OLB setup on paper before training camp now looks like this:
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Bo Richter
Perhaps the Vikings will sign a free agent like Jadeveon Clowney and show they mean business.
9. For Now, There’s No Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham, or Adam Thielen
Ham and Thielen retired — like expressly. Smith simply hasn’t returned. No matter how you dice it, the Vikings won’t feel the same. The beloved veterans are gone.
Smith could return for one more hurrah to ease the pain, but you know, he actually has to do that at some point.
10. No Longer an Old Team
Minnesota booted Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave off the roster. Ham and Thielen walked away. Smith’s future is up in the air.
In one offseason, Minnesota went from an old football team to a young one:
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