Well, this group isn’t boring…
I had practically completed an article concerning the Vikings’ quarterback scenario, contemplating the Kyler Murray signing and the thought of a Murray-McCarthy-Brosmer/different quarterback room for 2026. Then, the Vikings unexpectedly re-signed Carson Wentz out of nowhere.
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Now I don’t know what the heck goes on. Well, a bit greater than regular for me, anyway.
Let’s go over the choices, we could?
It’s the Kyler Murray Show: Like these earlier than it, that includes stars corresponding to Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Brett Favre, Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and others, it’s a reboot.
Those had various ranges of success. Heck, some even achieved a powerful quantity right here and there. But none managed to high the Nielsen rankings, not to mention construct a streak of seasons at or close to the highest of the heap.
And so, we’re again at it in 2026. Is it lastly our second? I’ve spent the previous week or so getting accustomed to Murray’s time in Arizona, together with its ups and downs and the principle causes for the break up. This contains Warren Ludford’s in-depth look at his profession to this point. There is a compelling argument that the scenario was extra the results of a poor group failing a gifted quarterback than the opposite approach round. Even the a lot-mentioned schematic points inside KOC’s offense appear enormously exaggerated and overblown. Will KOC have to make some changes to suit Murray’s strengths? Certainly. Will it require an entire overhaul of his offensive method? Not in any respect.
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To nobody’s shock, Murray performed properly when his supporting forged was at its greatest. I’ve all the time believed that quarterbacks usually get an excessive amount of credit score when issues go properly and an excessive amount of blame after they don’t. That’s a dialogue for one more time, however for now, the 2026 Vikings’ general roster, offensive weapons, elite protection, and training employees would be the greatest Murray has had within the NFL. If he reveals something near his greatest play in Arizona, it’ll be exhausting to argue towards 10 wins as the ground for this group. However, as talked about, this upcoming season will primarily focus on what occurs within the playoffs.
Indeed, the comparatively cautious method Rob Brzezinski and his group have taken in free company up to now might have as a lot to do with making ready for a possible Murray extension, if every part goes as deliberate, as with balancing the monetary ledger after some expensive free-agent contracts. Before the Wentz signing, the Vikings had round $68 million in cap area subsequent season. A big quantity may be carried over from this 12 months if Brian O’Neill is prolonged (which is nice) or if Jonathan Greenard is traded (which is dangerous). This might hypothetically allow a closely entrance-loaded extension for Murray. Also, hitting on a few of our early draft picks this 12 months might cut back the necessity for future free-agent spending. That could be good, wouldn’t it?
Wentz as insurance coverage for Murray (and McCarthy): Everything is on the road for KOC in 2026. Playoff success is crucial. Despite a promising closing stretch, J.J. McCarthy completed the season ranked thirty fifth in PFF general grade, thirty eighth in quarterback EPA/Play, forty fifth in completion share, and had a league-excessive 11% sack charge. The threat is simply too excessive, and the unknowns too nice, to easily hand him the beginning job once more with out extra safety.
Enter Wentz, whose final season should be considered by way of the lens of a shoulder harm that may land most of us within the hospital relatively than beginning behind middle in an NFL sport. Before sustaining the harm, Wentz executed KOC’s offense effectively. He had two video games with a QB score over 100, accomplished practically 70% of his passes, averaged 253 yards passing per sport, and threw 5 touchdowns towards two interceptions. With a full offseason again at 100% well being, there’s motive to be optimistic about Wentz guiding the group if wanted.
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J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings’ Jordan Love: Just as Love sat three full seasons behind Aaron Rodgers earlier than being handed the beginning job in 2023, one other full season behind Murray (and probably) Wentz would quantity to just about two-and-a-half seasons not beginning an NFL sport. An extra 12 months to work on his mechanics, on high of the ten begins he had in 2025, will then make him QB1 in 2027 if Murray thrives and the Vikings get outbid, or if his season is underwhelming attributable to an unlucky harm or efficiency. I’m pretty sure Wentz just isn’t the lengthy-time period reply.
J.J. McCarthy’s time in Minnesota is over: As a lot as I hate this selection, denying it isn’t a sensible selection. Denial isn’t only a river in Egypt. I stay unconvinced, but when the choice has been made to maneuver on, it might contradict KOC’s usually-repeated quote: “I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.” Again, continuing with a wholesome dose of skepticism, but when the whispers and rumors about KOC preferring to go together with Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones final 12 months—and even signing Aaron Rodgers—are true, and if his coronary heart was by no means absolutely in making McCarthy the man for 2025, then the items of this puzzle begin to align.
I discussed this in my final article, and it’s price repeating. Why? Because nothing has modified in my thoughts.
All I do know is that this: I’m an enormous fan of J.J. McCarthy and consider he’s nonetheless our QBOTF. Giving up after 10 begins could be extremely misguided. I hate it with the depth of a thousand suns. And if he goes on to be an important quarterback for one more group and we’re again to sq. one in 5 years with no Super Bowl appearances, it might break a big a part of the lengthy-time fan base. That could possibly be the ultimate straw for these whose scars return a number of many years. How a lot struggling can the human spirit endure? The Vikings appear to exist to reply that query.
There will likely be a real competitors for the beginning QB place in coaching camp. I saved this one for final as a result of it’s the least seemingly state of affairs, although something is feasible. The Cubs lastly gained a World Series, and I truly acknowledged a brand new tune on SiriusXM’s Hits 1 whereas within the automotive the opposite day. But the possibilities of J.J. McCarthy beginning beneath middle in Week 1 are most likely lower than 20%.
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter famous earlier this week that he feels the beginning quarterback job continues to be “fairly wide open,” however that appears to be the unconventional view. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero mentioned that Wentz would have remained the starter if he hadn’t gotten damage final 12 months. While The Athletic’s Alec Lewis added that many contained in the Vikings group believed the Vikings would have certainly made the playoffs if Wentz hadn’t suffered the season-ending harm.
So what does this seemingly imply? Murray is #1, with the true competitors between McCarthy and Wentz for the backup spot. Unfortunately, it’s too early to ensure McCarthy at #2. He’s most likely the favourite, however he’ll have to show himself in coaching camp. Based on what we all know, Wentz gained’t make it straightforward.
Yes, of us, not solely is there no assure {that a} wholesome McCarthy gained’t be the emergency quarterback when the season begins, there’s even an opportunity he gained’t be on the roster in any respect.
If you’d have advised me this on draft night time in 2024, I’d have a look at you quizzically earlier than laughing. Then I’d shortly understand I do, in reality, root for the Minnesota Vikings, shake my head, and concede: “Yeah, that checks out.”
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On a associated word, it’s been 9,834 days since Daunte Culpepper was drafted. For these preserving observe, that’s not within the present century, you understand, as a result of it’s 2026.
But at the least it gained’t be boring.