The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

The Vikings came off a miraculous 2024 season and came down to Earth in 2025. While Sam Darnold again won 14 games in Seattle, the Vikings dropped to a nine-win team, struggling under first-year starter J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings finished above .500 but still missed the playoffs. Now, the team has added a veteran quarterback and hopes to return to the post-season. Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Vikings didn’t lose many pieces. In the passing game, No. 3 option Jalen Nailor left to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. Lineman Javon Hargrave moved over to the rival Green Bay Packers, while fellow defensive lineman Jonathan Allen left for the Bengals. Running back Ty Chandler signed with the New Orleans Saints, while cornerback Fabrian Moreau signed with the Commanders.

The Vikings spent their first three draft picks on defense, snagging linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange first and third, sandwiched around linebacker Jake Golday. The team added veteran safety Jamal Adams and veteran receiver Jauan Jennings. But the big move was acquiring Kyler Murray at quarterback. In his time with Arizona, Murray went 38-48-1 as a starter with 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns. He figures to give them a new veteran on the field.

Fantasy Impact

Murray was named starter, as expected, with Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy still on the roster. I think Murray is a QB2 with some potential upside. It’s a good supporting cast. The backfield remains a combination of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Jones, when healthy, has RB2 upside. I like him better as an RB3, with Mason as an RB4.

In the passing game, the Vikings are loaded at receiver with Jennings, Jordan Addison, and the great Justin Jefferson. Because of quarterback play, Jefferson was only a WR2 in 2025. But I like him to be around low-end WR1 level with Murray. Addison is a WR3, while Jennings is a WR4 with upside for me. T.J. Hockenson has TE1 ability, but I question the volume in this offense. He’s a high-end TE2 for me.

Prediction

In a down year the Vikings finished with nine wins. I don’t think they will be worse with Murray, but will they be better? That’s a question. I like them to be around nine or 10 wins and in the mix for a Wild Card berth again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.