Most Minnesota Vikings fans are ready to move past the massive disappointment of the 2025 season, but are still wondering how they should feel going into the 2026 campaign.
While there have been a lot of changes to the defensive line and secondary, the quarterback position had everyone's attention with their new addition, Kyler Murray, looking like the man who might take over for J.J. McCarthy for at least one season, but is that enough to make the difference?
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport seems to be on board, as he recently shared why he thinks fans should buy into the verdict that the Vikings are contenders in 2026.
"Kyler Murray hasn't officially been named Minnesota's starting quarterback yet, but given how McCarthy has played to date, that announcement is coming.
Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler who will have plenty of passing-game weapons, but there's a reason the team threw in the towel on him.
There are defensive questions as well.
Longtime starting safety Harrison (Smith) is gone, and the team could be looking at a pair of rookie starters up front in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.
The Vikings could be the fourth-best team in the NFC North. But this was a team that was third in the league in total defense last year. If Kevin O'Connell can coach Murray up, Minnesota could do some damage in 2026."
Should the Minnesota Vikings be viewed as contenders in the 2026 season?
Whatever happens on defense, even with all the changes, the Vikings are going to be just fine on that side of the ball. They had edge rushers like Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner, who were inconsistent at getting sacks, but still did enough to make offenses' lives miserable.
A lot of credit goes to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, one of the NFL's best defensive minds. Flores knows how to get the best out of all his players and turn them into a powerhouse just based on scheme alone.
More of the concern is on offense and what kind of quarterback the Vikings will get out of Murray or McCarthy. At least at the end of last year, McCarthy helped Minnesota rattle off four straight wins and showed a lot of improvement as a passer.
If Murray can stay healthy, he could bring a completely different dynamic to the quarterback position that Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't had with a mobile, athletic signal caller.
The offensive line might have some concerns with staying healthy, but remember that Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are still on the team and are such great weapons to throw it to.
Minnesota's roster is still loaded with talent among players and coaches, so while they might be in a tough NFC North division, this team can still compete for a playoff spot.
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