Get ready for more of this until a starter is named
It's just the way its going to be (got to be) at this stage of the off-season...
I also wonder if Frank Smith will be one of those under the radar coaching hires that can make an impact?
================================
PHOENIX – An air of satisfaction hung over Vikings brass early this week at the NFL’s annual league meeting.
That’s deserved, at least for now. In the month since the last league-wide gathering, the NFL scouting combine, they achieved exactly what they said they wanted to at the quarterback position, even with salary cap constraints: build a competitive room from which a bona fide, 17-game starter can emerge.
In March, they added Kyler Murray the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, at a league minimum price tag. And they re-signed veteran Carson Wentz, who was the fill-in starter last season until injured.
The Vikings say they still believe in developing youngsters J.J. McCarthy, who ran the team at the start of the 2025 season, and Max Brosmer, who was thrown into the fire as an undrafted free-agent rookie.
“That blend is going to be great in the room,” Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said Monday, March 30. “Both experience and development, and talent on all fronts. It’s a great situation to have, and we’re going to come out a lot better for it.”
The Vikings would prefer, as coach Kevin O’Connell has said more than once, to have to start only one quarterback in a season instead of three or four. After a cheeky comment following Murray’s signing that a starter didn’t need to be named in March, O’Connell said Monday that it’s too early to even begin thinking about how reps are divided in the lead-up to the season.
His approach in the next phase of the calendar, organized team activities starting in late May, centers on “learning and teaching.”
O’Connell said he expects OTAs will include the full group of receivers, including Justin Jefferson, who had a voice in the quarterback discussions this offseason as the Vikings’ franchise player. Jefferson attended OTAs in full last year, too, as the Vikings looked to build his chemistry with McCarthy.
Getting every quarterback a high amount of reps with every member of that receiving group and the rest of the offense is more important to O’Connell than funneling them all to a potential No. 1.
“You can’t go into it with a mindset of trying to elevate your quarterback room and get as many talented players as you can in there and then start carving out the reps in March,” O’Connell said. “It really doesn’t work like that.”
It helps, then, that the four QBs are already spending time in Minnesota working together and establishing rapport.
Murray, whose signing last month comes after seven years living in Arizona while with the Cardinals, is in town a few days a week. The two-time Pro Bowl choice and former Heisman Trophy winner is the presumed 2026 starter. It’s hard to imagine the outcome any other way, with the Cardinals paying the bulk of his $36.8 million salary (the Vikings are paying him the league minimum $1.3 million) after he chose Minnesota as the place to try to rejuvenate his career.
The one obstacle could be Murray struggling to pick up O’Connell’s scheme, though that seems unlikely, too. The 28-year-old’s football IQ and recall have been lauded by members of the organization. Additionally, O’Connell seems open to adapting his offense to fit some of Murray’s skill set and previous experience, particularly as an elusive runner.
The Vikings coach also brought in Frank Smith as assistant head coach ahead of Murray’s signing to help adapt the Vikings’ running game and evolve the overall offense.
“I see a lot of ways that we’ll be able to continue the evolution of our offense here in Year 5, but at the same time, principles that I believe Kyler will be able to not only make his own but provide different layers to what we do with some of his experiences,” O’Connell said.
McCarthy, meanwhile, returned recently from training in Southern California with former NFL QB and 3DQB trainer John Beck. O’Connell said he believes McCarthy gained “perspective” through his 10 starts last season, but the Vikings would still like to see a level of consistency from McCarthy on and off the field that they didn’t quite get in 2025.
That is as much a reason for their building out of the quarterback room as anything else: giving McCarthy room to develop and ample resources to help him do so.
The Vikings seem to have a better plan in place than they did before last season, although Wentz is recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury.
Does Murray have the smarts and talent to be the key to the Vikings’ first playoff win five years into O’Connell’s tenure?
“We feel really good about the combination of depth, talent and the fact that we’ve got a room that’s going to push each other,” O’Connell said. “All those guys are gonna have great offseasons and be ready to rock and roll.”
Strib
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
JustInTime wrote:
I think both the Saints and Chiefs are out on Love after their FA RB pickups. At least I hope.
Yup!
Forgot Etiene...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Yup!
Forgot Etiene...
I think they go Edge. Chiefs probably go OT.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
I think they go Edge. Chiefs probably go OT.
Ruben Bain is being mocked quite a bit to NO
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Ruben Bain is being mocked quite a bit to NO
With Cam Jordan still being a FA, that makes a ton of sense.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Was just listening to Todd McShay who believes there are only 11 true first round quality talents in this draft and he thinks there is going to be a run on pass rushers and offensive lineman in that top 15 picks which will push some quality receivers deeper down the draft board. That really lines up with my evaluation of this partucular draft and my belief that we very well could go receiver at #18.
supafreak84 wrote:
Was just listening to Todd McShay who believes there are only 11 true first round quality talents in this draft and he thinks there is going to be a run on pass rushers and offensive lineman in that top 15 picks which will push some quality receivers deeper down the draft board. That really lines up with my evaluation of this partucular draft and my belief that we very well could go receiver at #18.
My spidey senses are starting to consider Kenyon Sadiq more and more...
I see what LaPorta has done for the Kitties and what a weapon TJH was.
Detroits offense lost an awful lot of punch w/out LaPorta - and they have a lot of other weapons too.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
My spidey senses are starting to consider Kenyon Sadiq more and more...
I see what LaPorta has done for the Kitties and what a weapon TJH was.
Detroits offense lost an awful lot of punch w/out LaPorta - and they have a lot of other weapons too.
As much as I want to like Sadiq, there are just too many red flags there and his wilting as the season went on and in the playoffs is a head scratcher. He's too gifted to be the total non factor that he was. I recognize that tight end is certainly a need for us, but that would be a biggggg swing on a guy who never produced consistently.
purplefaithful wrote:
My spidey senses are starting to consider Kenyon Sadiq more and more...
I see what LaPorta has done for the Kitties and what a weapon TJH was.
Detroits offense lost an awful lot of punch w/out LaPorta - and they have a lot of other weapons too.
When trying to predict who the Vikings will draft, I like to look at the contracts. Of course, you balance expiring money with the BPA factor, but who's in his last year?
TJ Hockenson (TE): Restructured down to one prove-it year
Brian O'Neill (RT): The veteran right tackle is a key leader, but has no guaranteed money for 2026 and represents a major cap saving if not extended. (I think he gets extended)
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB/ED): Entering the final year of his deal, he is a top edge rusher who may be restructured.
Blake Cashman (LB): Another key defensive starter with void years, likely a restructure candidate.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB): A key member of the cornerback depth, likely to play out his deal or get an extension.
Blake Brandel (OL): Serviceable interior offensive lineman with no guaranteed money, making him a potential cut or extension candidate.
Jay Ward (S): Heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
MaroonBells wrote:
When trying to predict who the Vikings will draft, I like to look at the contracts. Of course, you balance expiring money with the BPA factor, but who's in his last year?
TJ Hockenson (TE): Restructured down to one prove-it year
Brian O'Neill (RT): The veteran right tackle is a key leader, but has no guaranteed money for 2026 and represents a major cap saving if not extended. (I think he gets extended)
Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB/ED): Entering the final year of his deal, he is a top edge rusher who may be restructured.
Blake Cashman (LB): Another key defensive starter with void years, likely a restructure candidate.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB): A key member of the cornerback depth, likely to play out his deal or get an extension.
Blake Brandel (OL): Serviceable interior offensive lineman with no guaranteed money, making him a potential cut or extension candidate.
Jay Ward (S): Heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
Almost everyone on the team either needs to be resigned or replaced in the next two years. We can pretty much go anywhere and it won't overlap too much with an existing player for too long.
Just win, baby! Agree or disagree with the go-forward strategy for 2026, if the team wins and they win a playoff game, everyone will be giggling like Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel 6 mimosas deep at a Sunday Brunch.
StickierBuns wrote:
Just win, baby! Agree or disagree with the go-forward strategy for 2026, if the team wins and they win a playoff game, everyone will be giggling like Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel 6 mimosas deep at a Sunday Brunch.
Why is the benchmark set at 1 playoff game? Imo anything short of a championship game appearance is not worth getting excited for. With the playoff structure being what it is, 1 playoff with just doesnt mean much IMO.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
StickierBuns wrote:
Well, IMO, that just doesn't work in the world of fandom. So 4 out of 32 teams' fan bases are the only ones worthy of 'getting excited' yearly? Why bother watching the NFL until late January then? Or following the team at all really until that point?
For me, with the strategy that KOC is putting into place for 2026, you have to be substantially better than 9 wins for reasons I've stated probably ad nauseam at this point.
Im just saying if we are going to measure the success of a season and set the mark at 1 playoff win, when the real goal is the Lombardi, the bar seems pretty low in comparison when damn near half the league makes the playoffs to begin with. If the QB whisperer coach is so great, and the offense is the "LAMBO" as it gets referred to so often, I think our bar of success for the season should be higher than 1 playoff win.
Enjoying the meaningless season has nothing to do with the overall success of the assembled talent. They could go 17-0 and lose their first playoff game...is that a successful year? How about backing into a playoff spot and winning a wildcard game and then losing, is that somehow a better season?
If this team is as close as some like to predict annually, then I think the bar of success needs to be set higher.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
Why is the benchmark set at 1 playoff game? [b]Imo anything short of a championship game appearance is not worth getting excited for.[/b] With the playoff structure being what it is, 1 playoff with just doesnt mean much IMO.
Well, IMO, that just doesn't work in the world of fandom. So 4 out of 32 teams' fan bases are the only ones worthy of 'getting excited' yearly? Why bother watching the NFL until late January then? Or following the team at all really until that point?
For me, with the strategy that KOC is putting into place for 2026, you have to be substantially better than 9 wins for reasons I've stated probably ad nauseam at this point.
I don’t necessarily think that everyone will be ecstatic over a singular playoff victory, but I do think that’s the threshold required for having enough optimism about the future to maintain building around KOC.
medaille wrote:
I don’t necessarily think that everyone will be ecstatic over a singular playoff victory, but I do think that’s the threshold required for having enough optimism about the future to maintain building around KOC.
I agree...
One win wont put me over the top happy, but it sure wont hurt..
Kinda depends on the "how" as much as the "what."
Is what they are doing sustainable? Was it a wild-card ticket or did they win a tough North battle for the crown? Did they get home field? Was it flukey and lucky or smells like a good, tough football team?
Context I guess.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
Just win, baby! Agree or disagree with the go-forward strategy for 2026, if the team wins and they win a playoff game, everyone will be giggling like Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel 6 mimosas deep at a Sunday Brunch.
All aboard the Kyler Murray Super Bowl train, baby. We're gonna ride this streamliner straight to Valhalla! :D
comet52 wrote:
All aboard the Kyler Murray Super Bowl train, baby. We're gonna ride this streamliner straight to Valhalla! :D
Usually, the healthiest team rolling on momentum going into the playoffs seems to go the furthest...
StickierBuns wrote:
This will get the juices flowing...leg lift and all! KOC will work on that with him, lol.
#Vikings QB Kyler Murray with some offseason work in purple 🔥
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 10, 2026
🎥: @K1 pic.twitter.com/YpZuje2TDXI think that leg lift is the biggest pile of shit I've ever heard about JJ. And I've been saying that for six months. JJ might have mechanical issues that need tweaking to improve accuracy and consistency, but it's not the god damn leg lift.
Thats definitely Eagan!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
All aboard the Kyler Murray Super Bowl train, baby. We're gonna ride this streamliner straight to Valhalla! :D
This will get the juices flowing...leg lift and all! KOC will work on that with him, lol.
[twitter]https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2042624507572040061[/twitter]
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