The Vikings may be the NFC North offense most likely to make a real leap in 2026.
Detroit still has the flashiest unit in the division, and Green Bay and Chicago both figure to bring capable attacks back to the table. But Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton put Minnesota in a different conversation entirely, naming the Vikings in his “5 Most Improved Offenses Ahead of 2026 NFL Training Camp” piece published Monday.
The big swing, according to Moton, is the offseason addition of quarterback Kyler Murray. He’s expected to step in for former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, and Moton sees that move as one of the most important offensive pickups of the offseason.
“The Vikings will have a new dynamic starting quarterback and one of the league's best receiver trios this year. Expect this offense to rack up points as one of the top 10 scoring units.”
Moe Moton, Bleacher Report
That kind of optimism makes sense when you look at where Minnesota is coming from. McCarthy struggled badly last season, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 starts.
The Vikings finished 27th in total offense and went 9-8 after a 14-3 season the year before, when their offense ranked 12th. However you slice it, the unit fell short of expectations in 2025.
Murray arrives with a different résumé and a different kind of upside. He was released after seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he had his moments, signed a hefty extension and still never found playoff success.
Injuries also followed him throughout that run. Even so, he brings a live arm and legitimate playmaking ability.
And he won’t be working alone. Minnesota can pair him with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, giving the Vikings one of the league’s best receiver duos. The team also added Jauan Jennings as a No. 3 option after his productive final season in San Francisco, when he caught 55 passes for 643 yards and nine touchdowns.
Kevin O’Connell’s presence only adds to the intrigue. The Vikings head coach and playcaller is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best quarterback whisperers, and Moton noted that he has already guided three top-six passing offenses in his four seasons in Minnesota.
There are still some soft spots. The running back group and tight end room remain in question, including whether Aaron Jones is still a needle-moving back or if T.J.
Hockenson can get back to his 2020-23 form. But even with those concerns, the ingredients are there for Minnesota to become one of the league’s most productive offenses if Murray proves to be a clear upgrade over McCarthy.
That would be bad news for the Lions, who were swept by Minnesota last season despite McCarthy and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer starting those two games. If the Vikings pair a better offense with another punishing Brian Flores defense, the NFC North could get crowded in a hurry.
It could be a very interesting season in the division if Murray stays healthy and gives Minnesota steady quarterback play.
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