” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dallas-Turner-1180×697.jpg”> Yes, the countdown is around 10 weeks until Minnesota Vikings regular season football, and yes, we have 10 things for you to know before that September 13th game at home against the Green Bay Packers<\/a>.<\/p>\n To set the table, sportsbooks expect the Vikings to win just eight or nine games this year, so if they plan to reach the playoffs \u2014 and maybe even win a game in the tournament \u2014 they must beat the odds, as they did in 2024.<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kyler-MurrayOTAs-1180×677.png” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kyler-MurrayOTAs.png” alt=”Kyler Murray participates in Vikings organized team activities in Eagan. Vikings storylines” > 1. The Cardinals Are Paying Kyler Murray to Play for the Vikings<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Cardinals are shouldering most of Murray\u2019s salary while he plays for the Vikings. Minnesota is only responsible for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, a fraction of the $36.8 million Arizona remains obligated to pay under Murray\u2019s previous contract.<\/p>\n The unusual financial arrangement allows the Vikings to acquire a former top draft pick for the cost of a backup or a player competing for a starting role, while the Cardinals bear the substantial financial burden. It remains to be seen if Murray can revitalize his career in Minnesota, but from a financial perspective, it\u2019s an exceptionally favorable deal for the Vikings. It might be the best deal in professional sports right now.<\/p>\n 2. Half of All Vikings Starters Are Scheduled to Hit 2027 Free Agency<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Vikings football could look a whole lot different in 2027<\/em>. These men are scheduled to test the open market next offseason:<\/p>\n 3. The New General Manager Is Tight-Lipped<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Minnesota hired Nolan Teasley<\/a> at the end of May, and at his introductory press conference, reporters asked him in-depth questions. He replied with short, diplomatic answers.<\/p>\n His predecessor, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, often divulged the team\u2019s roster construction process. Those days are over. Teasley will never say too much.<\/p>\n 4. Vikings Have Best WR1-WR2-WR3 Setup since Moss-Carter-Reed<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In no way, shape, or form are Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings better<\/em> than Randy Moss, Cris Carter<\/a>, and Jake Reed. But they\u2019re the best threesome since <\/em>Moss-Carter-Reed. The Vikings finally emphasized the WR3 spot this offseason. The days of Bisi Johnson, K.J. Osborn, and Jalen Nailor<\/a> \u2014 decent at best \u2014 third wide receivers are paused.<\/p>\n 5. Brian Flores Will See the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa \u2014 in Separate Games<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In Week 4, Flores will face his former employer, the Miami Dolphins. That franchise unceremoniously fired him five years ago, setting in motion an ongoing lawsuit against the league. Flores can get redemption on the field against Miami at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 4th.<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/USATSI_16742950-1180×787.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/USATSI_16742950.jpg” alt=”Brian Flores talks with Tua Tagovailoa during a Dolphins game against the Patriots. Vikings storylines” > Eight weeks later, the Vikings face the Atlanta Falcons, a team that could be led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who called Flores a \u201cterrible person<\/a>\u201d in the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n A double dose of Flores revenge. <\/p>\n 6. No Western U.S. Games<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The westernmost points on Minnesota\u2019s 2026 schedule are Mexico City and Minneapolis, believe it or not. If you live Vikings games in California, Colorado, and Arizona, you are out of luck this year \u2014 unless the Vikings reach the playoffs.<\/p>\n 7. Remember the Alternate Year Theory<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A brief history of the Vikings\u2019 performance over the last dozen years:<\/p>\n 2014 Vikings: Average It\u2019s time for another playoff trip, by the numbers. <\/p>\n 8. EDGE Depth Is Different This Time<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In years past, the Vikings would roll into September with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel<\/a>, and Dallas Turner. Or, before that, Danielle Hunter, Za\u2019Darius Smith<\/a>, and D.J. Wonnum. After the Greenard trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota no longer has a go-to OLB3, unless rookie Jake Golday or second-year DT Tyrion Ingram Dawkins are ready for the job.<\/p>\n The OLB setup on paper before training camp now looks like this:<\/p>\n Perhaps the Vikings will sign a free agent like Jadeveon Clowney and show they mean business.<\/p>\n 9. For Now, There\u2019s No Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham, or Adam Thielen<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Ham and Thielen retired \u2014 like expressly. Smith simply hasn\u2019t returned. No matter how you dice it, the Vikings won\u2019t feel the same. The beloved veterans are gone.<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27175801_168394844_lowres-1180×787.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27175801_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Harrison Smith speaks at a Vikings press conference in Dublin. Vikings storylines” > Smith could return for one more hurrah to ease the pain, but you know, he actually has to do that at some point. <\/p>\n 10. No Longer an Old Team<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Minnesota booted Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave off the roster. Ham and Thielen<\/a> walked away. Smith\u2019s future is up in the air.<\/p>\n In one offseason<\/a>, Minnesota went from an old football team to a young one:<\/p>\n Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders <\/a>, is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFootball Kyler Murray\u2019s Discount Deal Takes the Cake for Vikings Offseason<\/h2>\n
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray participates in organized team activities on May 27, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Murray took part in offseason drills and team periods as Minnesota continued installing its offense and evaluating personnel ahead of training camp while building chemistry throughout the quarterback room and receiving corps. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.<\/p>\n
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Sep 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores talks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during a timeout during the second half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
2015 Vikings: Good
2016 Vikings: Average
2017 Vikings: Good
2018 Vikings: Average
2019 Vikings: Good
2020 Vikings: Average
2021 Vikings: Average
2022 Vikings: Good
2023 Vikings: Average
2024 Vikings: Good
2025 Vikings: Average<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Sep 26, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) at press conference at Sport Ireland Campus. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
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