The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason was highlighted by one major move — signing Kyler Murray after the Arizona Cardinals kicked him out of town. Three months later, USA Today has decided that Murray turning purple is a Top 12 offseason move around the NFL.
USA Today‘s Nick Brinkerhoff ranked all the best offseason moves last week, and Murray to Minnesota checked in at No. 12.
National Praise Builds Around Vikings’ Low-Cost QB Swing
USA Today: Murray No. 12 on Offseason List
Just ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles’ draft-night trade for wide receiver Makai Lemon (No. 13), Murray to Minnesota checked in.
Brinkerhoff wrote, “The Vikings didn’t receive good enough quarterback play in 2025. For the second year in a row, injuries were the story of J.J. McCarthy’s season and Sam Darnold wasn’t there to save him this time.”
“Murray has his faults, but he is proven and has never played in an offense like Kevin O’Connell’s. Either Murray pushes McCarthy to be the best version of himself, or Murray takes over the starting job. It’s hard to be against either option.”
Other pundits, too, have been high on Murray to the Vikings, mainly because head coach Kevin O’Connell cooked with Sam Darnold in 2024. Murray could follow suit.
The Potential
Murray can resume his career with no drop-off whatsoever if he’s in the mood. The Vikings’ offense presents a playground of weapons, along with a quarterback-whispering head coach. Had Murray joined the Miami Dolphins, for example, he would’ve thrown the football to pass-catchers Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Malik Washington, and Greg Dulcich. Instead, he gets Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson. Everything is in place for Murray to cook.
And for a man who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards every 17 starts, the two parties should collide in beautiful harmony.
If you recall Baker Mayfield’s career turnaround in Tampa Bay three years ago, Murray can follow that exact path in the Twin Cities. Hell, the two guys were drafted first overall one year apart and were teammates in college.
Other Notable Moves from MIN
The Vikings also fired up other noteworthy moves. ones that weren’t quite as applauded at a national level:
- Hired Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks as general manager
- Signed CB3 James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed WR Jauan Jennings from the San Francisco 49ers
- Drafted DT Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DT Domonique Orange, OT Caleb Tiernan, and DB Jakobe Thomas in the first four rounds of the draft
- Reset the Salary Cap
Minnesota also added veteran tackle Ryan Van Demark, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted in March, “The Vikings needed a robust option for their swing tackle considering the health issues their starting tackles faced last season. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw played in only 10 games, and left five of those early, while dealing with the aftereffects of an October 2024 injury to his left knee.”
“After the season, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted the Vikings needed to be ‘more mindful’ of insurance at the position. Right tackle Brian O’Neill, meanwhile, missed three games because of various ailments.”
Minnesota didn’t spend big over the last several months, but the franchise received a facelift.
On Greenard + Myles Garrett to LAR Takes the Cake
Speaking of Greenard to Philadelphia, Breinkerhoff ranked that transaction No. 10 on his list: “A shoulder injury slowed Greenard’s 2025 season, limiting him to just three sacks after two consecutive seasons with at least 12. Expect the pass-rusher to return to form in 2026 with the Eagles, who collect defensive line talent as a hobby.”
“Surrounded by the likes of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and others, Greenard’s path to the quarterback just got a lot easier. And it only cost the Eagles a pair of third-round picks. That’s some good business.”
Garrett to the Los Angeles led the way, as Brinkerhoff explained, “One of the biggest trades in NFL history tops the charts here. Shocking, right? The Garrett deal rocked the football world in more ways than one, establishing a super team in the City of Angels.”
“With no clear areas of weakness across the depth chart, the Rams might be the team to beat. At the very least, you won’t want to play against them in Madden. On the bright side for the other 31 teams, they play games in real life. And that might be the only bright side when the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year joins arguably the league’s best team.”
Vikings training camp begins in less than four weeks.
