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The offseason for the Minnesota Vikings has been filled with questions about the quarterback position, a new GM, and the future of the roster and franchise. The quarterback competition will continue in training camp, but it's largely assumed Kyler Murray will start.
The recently hired general manager is guiding a ship built by someone else's draft and roster decisions. Still, the Vikings are a very talented team with a top head coach and defensive coordinator.
Seth Walder of ESPN gave each team an offseason grade and thinks the Vikings did well this offseason.
Biggest move: Signing QB Kyler Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million deal
Move I liked: The Murray signing
Move I disliked: Trading Edge Jonathan Greenard for two third-round picks
The Vikings made a peculiar move as far as timing was concerned when they fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 30. But the move itself wasn't that shocking considering the results of his tenure. That former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold won the Super Bowl in Seattle probably didn't help, though I don't think it was Adofo-Mensah's fault the Seahawks' defense was so dominant (the primary reason they were there). Still, moving on from the GM was understandable.
The best thing about the Vikings' offseason is them signing Murray to a veterans minimum deal, which was possible due to his offsets from his contract with the Cardinals. It was a boon for Minnesota. Murray's services would be worth many millions more on the free market, and he provides an answer at quarterback in the wake of J.J. McCarthy's rough 2025 season.
But I think chalking this up to luck undersells Minnesota's role. Murray surely had several options, and it's a credit to Minnesota -- with its strong head coach in Kevin O'Connell and elite wide receiver in Justin Jefferson -- that he chose the Vikings. Adding Murray doesn't necessarily solve the Vikings' long-term quarterback questions, but it gives them something to work with in the short term ... and potentially longer.
The Vikings released veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in March, consequences of ill-advised spending on the aging veterans the prior year. Those transactions left a hole at defensive tackle, which perhaps is why Minnesota reached for Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the draft, far earlier than he was expected to go (the Draft Day Predictor gave Banks only an 18% chance to be selected in the first round).
During the draft, the Vikings dealt Greenard, one of their best players, to the Eagles in exchange for two third-round picks. I don't think it was worth it, especially in the current trade environment for high-end players. Despite only three sacks in 12 games last season, Greenard's 23.2% pass rush win rate at edge would have ranked fourth at the position had he qualified.
The Vikings made a nice postdraft acquisition of Jauan Jennings on a one-year, $8 million deal. That's good value for a No. 3 receiver, especially one with the upside Jennings showed in 2024, when he averaged 2.5 yards per route run.
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The recently hired general manager is guiding a ship built by someone else's draft and roster decisions. Still, the Vikings are a very talented team with a top head coach and defensive coordinator.
Seth Walder of ESPN gave each team an offseason grade and thinks the Vikings did well this offseason.
Minnesota Vikings: B-
Biggest move: Signing QB Kyler Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million deal
Move I liked: The Murray signing
Move I disliked: Trading Edge Jonathan Greenard for two third-round picks
The Vikings made a peculiar move as far as timing was concerned when they fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 30. But the move itself wasn't that shocking considering the results of his tenure. That former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold won the Super Bowl in Seattle probably didn't help, though I don't think it was Adofo-Mensah's fault the Seahawks' defense was so dominant (the primary reason they were there). Still, moving on from the GM was understandable.
The best thing about the Vikings' offseason is them signing Murray to a veterans minimum deal, which was possible due to his offsets from his contract with the Cardinals. It was a boon for Minnesota. Murray's services would be worth many millions more on the free market, and he provides an answer at quarterback in the wake of J.J. McCarthy's rough 2025 season.
But I think chalking this up to luck undersells Minnesota's role. Murray surely had several options, and it's a credit to Minnesota -- with its strong head coach in Kevin O'Connell and elite wide receiver in Justin Jefferson -- that he chose the Vikings. Adding Murray doesn't necessarily solve the Vikings' long-term quarterback questions, but it gives them something to work with in the short term ... and potentially longer.
The Vikings released veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in March, consequences of ill-advised spending on the aging veterans the prior year. Those transactions left a hole at defensive tackle, which perhaps is why Minnesota reached for Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the draft, far earlier than he was expected to go (the Draft Day Predictor gave Banks only an 18% chance to be selected in the first round).
During the draft, the Vikings dealt Greenard, one of their best players, to the Eagles in exchange for two third-round picks. I don't think it was worth it, especially in the current trade environment for high-end players. Despite only three sacks in 12 games last season, Greenard's 23.2% pass rush win rate at edge would have ranked fourth at the position had he qualified.
The Vikings made a nice postdraft acquisition of Jauan Jennings on a one-year, $8 million deal. That's good value for a No. 3 receiver, especially one with the upside Jennings showed in 2024, when he averaged 2.5 yards per route run.
Continue reading...
