We are in peak offseason form, folks. And, for a team with never-ending quarterback conversations to be had, like the Minnesota Vikings, they are an easy target.
We've seen a recent blurb, from Yahoo's Frank Schwab, that claimed the Vikings have had the worst offseason of any team, thus far. But, in a hilarious turn of events and sudden contrast, the tone has shifted for one expert.
ESPN's Ben Solak went through and ranked teams that have had the best offseason thus far and, believe it or not, listed the Vikings at No. 10.
You hear that, Schwab? 10!
Okay, on a serious note, Solak's analysis was ... interesting, to say the least. When it came to the one thing he loved, he went with the Kyler Murray signing -- but it didn't stop there. Solak's explanation of the Murray signing was a tad hyperbolic:
"I loved: The Murray deal. Of course I did. It's the best signing of any team this cycle."
Pause.
Is the Minnesota Vikings' signing of Kyler Murray the best free agency move this year?
We can go through a bunch of other signings around the league, but let's focus on Murray and the Vikings here.
Yes, Minnesota has another quarterback in the mix with J.J. McCarthy, and Murray isn't just some bum signed off the street. No, we're talking about a former No. 1 overall pick who has had plenty of good moments over his 7-year career.
But we are also talking about a quarterback who has never truly gotten over the hump. Murray is now more of a name than he is a prolific quarterback. Injuries have also become a concern over the past three or four years.
Injuries aside, Murray simply hasn't looked the part of what he was billed to be coming out of college. He's been fine, but not elite. Three out of the last four seasons, Murray has finished with a quarterback rating under 90.0, which is essentially code for "average."
The potential of Murray to reach another level under the tutelage of Kevin O'Connell is absolutely a reason to be excited. If Murray was ever going to finally take that next step, the opportunity is now before him. But, there isn't any hiding the fact that Murray has looked average more often than not.
And, suddenly, we're supposed to believe this guy is the best free agent signing of the offseason? Let's pump the brakes just a bit, here.
Sure, the value is excellent, but that was always going to be the case with how much the Arizona Cardinals will be paying him this year.
If you're looking for the most valid reason to pump the brakes on Murray, just go back and re-watch the only playoff game he's ever been part of back in 2021. Murray looked like he completely forgot how to play the game of football -- and that's not an exaggeration.
Solak might love the Murray signing, but this is 100 percent a hyperbolic take -- and that's fine. He has every right.
Maybe, just maybe, he'll be sitting here a year from now going, "I told you so."
Vikings fans can only hope.