The Minnesota Vikings’ free agency in 2026 was not as busy as the 2024 and 2025 versions, but the quality of players — mainly new quarterback Kyler Murray — might take the cake, according to CBS Sports.
Minnesota’s roster reset is drawing national attention after an aggressive offseason.
That website summed up each team’s offseason in one word this week, and for Minnesota, the term was “quarterback.”
Murray Gives Vikings a Different Offensive Ceiling
Are you stoked about Murray as the Vikings’ QB1?
CBS Sports on Vikings’ Upgrade and Offseason
Zachary Pereles provided a one-word assessment for each NFL team’s offseason, and for the Vikings, he wrote: “Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback. Player who exemplifies it: Kyler Murray. No team needed — and got — as immediate a quarterback upgrade as the Vikings. Murray is an enigmatic, sometimes-frustrating and oft-injured player. But he’s also a major talent, and he’s joining Kevin O’Connell, who has gotten the very best out of lesser talents.”
“Despite getting some of the worst quarterback play in the league last year (32nd in TD-Int ratio, 31st in sack rate), the Vikings finished 9-8. Brian Flores’ defenses are consistently among the better groups in the NFL. But a team can only go so far without starting-caliber quarterback play.”
The Arizona Cardinals are paying Murray to play for the Vikings; Minnesota acquired him for $1.3 million.
Pereles added, “Last year, that would have been enough for Minnesota to make the playoffs. Even in his worst years, Murray has been just that. At his best, he has been much, much more than that — a Pro Bowler and fringe top-10 player at the position.”
“His rushing abilities add a dynamic that O’Connell hasn’t had before and could be a crucial addition. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and recently acquired Jauan Jennings form an excellent receiver trio.”
The Sky Is the Limit for Murray
Murray is not merely a quarterback looking to finally hit it big in the NFL; he’s continuing his story — one that was already decent in Arizona through seven seasons.
When healthy, Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns (rushing and passing), and around 600 rushing yards every 17 starts. Of course, he’s missed about a quarter of all starts since 2019 due to injury, but he’ll hope for a clean bill of health in 2026.
Murray will also have something to prove after the Cardinals kicked him to the curb. Arizona’s ownership isn’t exactly known for harmony, and being booted by the Cardinals comes with an especially sharp sense of embarrassment. Murray will be out to prove everyone wrong this season, which bodes well for the Vikings and the team’s fans.
SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Murray: “With the best group of weapons he’s ever had around him, Murray has the chance in 2026 to finally show off why so many have been so high on him since his college days. There are certainly doubters about Murray’s fit in Minnesota, but Kevin O’Connell has a track record of pulling highly-successful seasons out of veteran quarterbacks.”
“The loaded offense and the tutelage of O’Connell are big reasons why former Ravens and Jets linebacker Bart Scott is setting the bar very high for Murray in 2026.”
Now, He Has a Job to Secure in Eagan
The QB1 job is not preordained for Murray. He’ll have to earn it. Most expect Murray to win the starter’s job this summer somewhat handily, but you know, he has to actually do that first.
It’s already started, the Vikings advertising a true training camp and preseason battle between last year’s starter, 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy, and Murray. McCarthy played 10 games last season, showcasing some sweet moments but also general inconsistency. He has a rough time staying upright and healthy, too, succumbing to a high ankle sprain, concussion, and broken bone in his hand. And that was all after missing his rookie season with a torn meniscus.
Murray is the odds-on frontrunner to be the Vikings’ QB1 in 2026, but he still has to seize the job this summer.
Underrated Offseason Additions and Buzzwords?
CBS Sports says the Vikings’ main word this offseason was “quarterback.” While that works, others can apply, as well.
“Modest” comes to mind — the Vikings didn’t spend much cash in free agency, resetting their salary cap after doling out loads of cash in 2024 and 2025. “Shock” can describe the club’s 1st-Round pick, defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Most assumed Minnesota would draft Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in Round 1 last month and call it good. Instead, the Vikings swerved, grabbing Banks, who is coming off back-to-back foot injuries.
Another might be “Brian Flores.” Two impressive jobs opened up in January: the head coaching spots for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, a pair of ultra-reputable organizations. Flores landed neither post and ended up with a large contract extension with the Vikings.
