It is safe to say that the Minnesota Vikings struggled offensively during the 2025 NFL season. Despite a strong defense under Brian Flores, the purple and gold struggled to move the football down the field with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer at quarterback.
This season, the Vikings are expected to start former Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray. While Murray has to prove he can fit in Kevin O'Connell's offense, he is expected to bring more consistency to an offense that has stars like Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and other talented players set to contribute.
Setting realistic expectations for Kyler Murray is difficult. Fans have seen the success that experienced quarterbacks have enjoyed in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will follow suit.
The Minnesota Vikings offense could be efficient with an experienced passer like Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback
Recently, NFL Spin Zone's Lou Scataglia shared an article that ranked the NFC quarterbacks in a style similar to NFL power rankings. Kyler Murray of the Minnesota Vikings was ranked No. 11 of the 16 passers in the conference.
Murray was ranked above the following quarterbacks in the NFC:
Tua Tagovailoa -Atlanta Falcons
Jacoby Brissett - Arizona Cardinals
Bryce Young - Carolona Panthers
Tyler Shough - New Orleans Saints
Jaxson Dart - New York Giants
Seeing those names means Murray is ranked as the worst quarterback in the NFC North. Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is at No. 8. Green Bay Packers passer Jordan Love is at No. 4. And Detroit Lions signal-caller Jared Goff lands at No. 2.
Scataglia had this to say about Kyler Murray with the Vikings:
"Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, and it would be a shock if he didn't start. Murray is the perfectly 'average' quarterback, but he's got to reestablish himself on the Vikings. He's someone who can give you about 24 touchdown passes per season, and he does have above-average rushing ability."
The scariest part of Kyler Murray with the Vikings is his history of missing games. The 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year has struggled to stay on the field. He played every game in a season during just three of his seven years in the league, and most recently played only five games for the Cardinals last season.
Playing with numerous talented players should help Kyler Murray thrive with the Minnesota Vikings, but the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will have to prove he can fit in with the purple and gold if he hopes to reignite his career with his new team in 2026.