Vikings Quietly Land on Super Bowl List
It’s that time. It’s time to determine whether the Minnesota Vikings have the muscle to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and CBS Sports believes that answer is yes, at least in a “sleeper” capacity.
Minnesota has the roster infrastructure to turn a quarterback rebound into something larger.
According to Tyler Sullivan, the Vikings are one of the long-shot franchises that could spring up and upend the Super Bowl chase this season.
Murray Gives the Vikings a New Ceiling in 2026
The Vikings as a Super Bowl contender? We will take it.
Sullivan on MIN as an SB Dark Horse
In addition to the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders, Minnesota pulled down a mention from Sullivan as a fringe Super Bowl hopeful.
He wrote, “The Vikings’ biggest issue in 2025 was under center. Letting Sam Darnold — and even Daniel Jones — walk in favor of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy proved to be a monumental mistake. In his first season as the full-time starter, McCarthy struggled with durability issues and poor play when he was on the field.”
“That was enough for Minnesota to fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and effectively pull the plug on the McCarthy era by signing Kyler Murray in free agency and re-signing veteran Carson Wentz. While head coach Kevin O’Connell has discussed a competition for the Week 1 job, Murray is clearly positioned as QB1 entering 2026, dramatically raising Minnesota’s ceiling.”
Murray will play in Minnesota on a $1.3 million contract. The Arizona Cardinals paid him to leave town.
Sullivan continued, “Outside of quarterback, Minnesota already has a roster capable of competing in the NFC, as evidenced by its 14-3 campaign in 2024 with Darnold. If O’Connell can get top-tier play out of Murray, the Vikings should immediately find themselves back in the thick of the NFC North race.”
“That was Minnesota’s most impactful move this offseason, but we’ll also keep an eye on what its rookie class can produce. Selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks at No. 18 overall was a true roll of the dice.”
The Defense Is There
While the Vikings will hope that Murray can take the offense to new heights — he has the physical tools for it — the defense is already there.
In fact, during the last three seasons with the Cardinals, Arizona ranked 30th in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play. The defense next to Murray has been the league’s third-worst since 2023. On the other hand, Brian Flores’s defense in the same timeframe ranks second-best.
So, Murray goes from the league’s third-worst defense since 2023 to its second-best. That should matter.
Meanwhile, Flores’s group ranked third last year per DVOA and EPA/Play. Even if the unit regressed a few spots, it still should be in good shape.
So Are the Weapons
Murray didn’t suffer from a lack of weapons in Arizona; no one really claims that. However, he’ll get a fresh batch in Minnesota that might include more firepower, depending on the eye of the beholder.
In late April, the Vikings’ running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends look like this:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- T.J. Hockenson
- Aaron Jones
- Jordan Mason
- Demond Claiborne
Too, the Vikings have expressed interest in free-agent wideout Jauan Jennings, who could sign with the club at any minute. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night that Jennings was en route to the Twin Cities to discuss a possible contract.
For a Super Bowl push, the weapons are there.
It’s the QB, Silly
Ultimately, the entire Super Bowl dream will come down to Murray; that’s usually how it works at quarterback in the NFL. Last year, Minnesota produced the league’s fifth-worst quarterback performance per Dropback EPA and still finished the season with a winning record. O’Connell needs Murray to put him over the hump and stabilize the QB1 spot.
The Vikings don’t need Murray to play like a Top 5 quarterback to contend. Last season, Minnesota finished 9-8 despite the abysmal quarterback play; even decent production in several losses likely would have altered the outcomes. This highlights the team’s potential with improved QB performance — from Murray.
While Murray won’t be asked to be a game manager, good-enough quarterback play simply could be enough for the Vikings to make the playoffs; anything beyond that would be a bonus. For instance, a solid, efficient, and occasionally explosive Baker Mayfield-level season would likely suffice. The exciting part is that it’s realistic.
He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with undeniable talent, even if he doesn’t fit the mold of a typical tall quarterback. Arizona recognized his unique talent, drafting him first overall in 2019, just one year after selecting Josh Rosen in the 1st Round. Murray boasts impressive speed, ranks fifth all-time in NFL history for completion percentage, and can launch the ball 70 yards downfield.
Minnesota represents a true fresh start for Murray. Free from the “study clause,” general Cardinals drama, and heavy organizational baggage, he arrives at age 28 and is still in his physical prime.
Sullivan might be on to something.
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