After eight months without regular-season football, the Vikings are finally back in the spotlight. Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season brings a familiar test right away: the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium next weekend.
Minnesota enters the opener with a new starting quarterback, a refreshed roster and a cleaner sense of purpose after last season ended on a sour note. The NFC North matchup also comes with recent history attached.
The Packers rolled to a 23-6 win in Minneapolis in Week 12 last season, but the Vikings answered with a 16-3 victory at Lambeau Field in the regular-season finale. That game, like the others, saw J.J.
McCarthy leave early because of injury.
For fans looking to follow the opener, the Vikings’ official site has additional ways to watch and listen based on location and device. The main stage, though, is set: Vikings-Packers, Week 1, with Minnesota trying to launch the season on the right foot.
The player worth watching is Kyler Murray.
After what appears to be the end of the McCarthy era, at least for now, the Vikings are heading into Week 1 with Murray under center against Green Bay. His training camp and preseason work has already given Minnesota supporters reason to feel better about what he can bring, but the real evaluation starts when the games count.
A win in his Purple and Gold debut would matter for the Vikings and for Murray himself. He is on a one-year contract, and a strong first impression would go a long way toward showing Kevin O'Connell made the right call in naming him the starter over McCarthy.
The Packers were stingy against the pass last season, giving up the 11th-fewest passing yards, and their pass rush played a big part in that success. Pro Football Focus gave that unit an eighth-best grade of 77.0. But Green Bay will be missing a major piece in Week 1, with Micah Parsons on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he continues to recover from his ACL tear.
That absence changes the equation for Murray and the Vikings’ passing game. With less pressure coming off the edge, Murray should have more room to work in the pocket and make the right reads. If he does that, Minnesota could leave Week 1 with more than just a division win - it could come away with early momentum for the rest of 2026.
In Other News...
Harrison Smith Return Raises A Bigger Vikings Question
Harrison Smith is back in the fold for the Minnesota Vikings, and the move brings some immediate clarity to a secondary that still leans on his experience and steadiness. The veteran safety, now 37, re-signed on a one-year deal after being released in March, giving the Vikings a familiar anchor as they continue sorting out the back end of their defense.
Smiths return also points to a larger roster question the Vikings still have to answer. He has been a key part of the defense, especially after Jamal Adams season-ending injury, and the expectation is that Smith will work in a major role alongside younger safeties. What remains to be seen is how the Vikings balance his presence with the need to develop the next wave behind him. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Defense Gets A Huge Late Boost Before Packers Opener
A late defensive boost arrived just in time for Minnesotas season opener against Green Bay, with Harrison Smith signing a one-year, $12.25 million contract to return for his 15th NFL season. The longtime safety remains one of the most familiar and important figures on the Vikings roster, and his return gives the defense a proven presence as the regular season gets underway.
Minnesota also added veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy to the practice squad, a move that helps shore up depth on the edge. With the opener against the Packers looming, the Vikings are making sure the defensive side of the ball has as much experience and flexibility as possible before the first big test of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Head Into Packers Opener With Two Massive Week 1 Questions
The Vikings are heading into their 2026 opener against the Packers with a couple of major roster questions looming, even after sorting out the quarterback spot with Kyler Murray set to start. The defense has taken on a different look, too, after the club traded away pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard and turned to Dallas Turner as the primary edge threat, while rookie linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange are expected to help right away inside.
There is also a familiar face back in the mix, with Harrison Smith coming out of retirement for his 15th NFL season and giving Minnesota a proven presence in the secondary. On offense, Jauan Jennings has been added as a physical third receiver, giving Murray another target as the Vikings try to settle into a new identity before the first trip to Lambeau. Even with the opener closing in, the biggest uncertainty still hangs over how quickly all of those pieces will fit together. [Read more 🡒]