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With Brian Flores Back, the Vikings Need One More Man to Cook with Gas
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- With Brian Flores Back, the Vikings Need One More Man to Cook with Gas
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The first major domino in the Minnesota Vikings ' path to success was the retention of defensive coordinator Brian Flores or finding someone equally reputable to run the defense. That part appears to be done, or at least on the right path. The next step? Acquiring Kyler Murray .
Any Murray move hinges on Arizona 's posture and Minnesota's appetite for a blockbuster bill.
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Yes, you read that right. The Vikings are a Kyler Murray trade or signing away from contending for a Super Bowl once again.
Murray Would Bring a High-Ceiling Swing with Risk
Find a way to get Murray, and Minnesota would be in the driver's seat.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray breaks the pocket as pressure closes in during second-half action at SoFi Stadium, accelerating into open space on Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood. The scramble stretches the Rams' defensive structure, showcasing Murray's speed and spatial awareness while extending a critical divisional drive with his legs. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
Flores Is Probably Back, and the Defense Is in Good Hands
After months of fans' curiosity, the Vikings and Flores reached a verdict on Wednesday: he's back.
Bleacher Report 's Zach Bacar wrote , "The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a contract extension with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the team announced Wednesday. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Flores remains a candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens ' head coaching vacancies. He'll stay with Minnesota if he doesn't land either job, per Pelissero and Rapoport."
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"Flores received interest for roles identical to his current position in addition to appearing in head coaching searches during the current hiring cycle. Pelissero noted that Flores had interest from 'numerous teams' as a defensive coordinator and interviewed with the Washington Commanders for the role, but his extension ensures that the only way he'll leave Minnesota is if he's hired as a head coach."
The Vikings' defense ranked second in the NFL per EPA/Play in 2024 and third in 2025, meaning a nose-dive in 2026 probably isn't on the menu with Flores back in the saddle.
So, yes — all Minnesota needs is a quarterback who's average or better to contend for the grand prize.
Murray Would Offer Top 12 or Top 15 QB Play
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In 2025, these teams ranked at the bottom of the NFL per quarterback EPA:
32 — Cleveland Browns
31 — Tennessee Titans
30 — New York Jets
29 — Las Vegas Raiders
28 — Minnesota Vikings
None of those teams between 29 and 32 won more than five games. The Vikings won nine, somehow finishing the season with a winning record after a 4-8 start.
Had Minnesota ranked 16th or so per quarterback efficiency — not fifth-worst — it could have probably won the NFC North.
In 2024, when Murray last played a reasonable sample, he ranked as the NFL's 14th-best quarterback per EPA+CPOE. Fourteenth is better than 28th. Therefore, with a healthy Murray, the Vikings can contend once again and avoid playoff elimination by mid-December, as they did this season.
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Who knows? Murray might even rank higher than 14th in Kevin O'Connell's system . That's the goal.
There's also the element of a Vikings general manager and head coach needing to win — now. If the 2026 campaign ends and the leadership duo has not won a playoff game, the twosome could be fired. Finding a way to get Murray helps to avoid that fate.
Murray Availability
Murray injured his foot in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans , and despite hopes that he would return, that was a wrap on his 2025 campaign. He actually seemed to be nearing a comeback in November, but then the Cardinals announced that Jacoby Brissett would remain their starter, sparking whispers that Arizona had benched Murray in favor of Brissett.
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The Cardinals' leaders did little to push back on the theory.
Arizona drafted Murray in 2019, and in the seven seasons since, with him as the QB1, it has not won a playoff game. There's a blooming consensus that Murray has played his last game in Arizona. The Cardinals will soon have a new coach after firing Jonathan Gannon , and that guy may want a clean slate, meaning Murray would need a fresh start.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addresses reporters during a midweek media session on Dec. 3, 2024, speaking two days after Minnesota's 23–22 win over Arizona. Flores reflects on defensive execution and ongoing adjustments as the unit continues shaping its weekly identity following another tightly contested result. Mandatory Credit: — You Tube.
That could be with the Vikings. Never forget: Murray grew up as an ardent Vikings fan. He came of age during the Adrian Peterson Era.
NFL Network 's Tom Pelissero tweeted in 2019 , "Cardinals QB Kyler Murray played for a team called the Vikings as a kid, so he grew up a Vikings fan: Randy Moss, Daunte Culpepper, Brett Favre in 2009 … until the end. Says that one hurt."
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Helps to Nail the Draft
Flores back? Check. Murray on the way? We'll see.
Now, Minnesota must start hitting on drafts. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah notoriously struck all the way out in 2022, the first draft of his general manager career. He found Jordan Addison in 2023, but that was about it from that class. And in 2024 and 2025, he began to turn the corner with picks like Dallas Turner , Will Reichard , Levi Drake Rodriguez , and Donovan Jackson .
The slightly upward trend must continue. The Vikings' main roster needs — aside from arguably quarterback, if one doesn't believe in McCarthy's development — right now are safety and cornerback. Well, Minnesota should have Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth filling those jobs, but those men play in the UFL. The Vikings needed position replacement in the 2026 offseason because of Adofo-Mensah's poor drafting habits.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray delivers a pass during first-half action on Nov. 10, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale against the New York Jets. The play captures Murray operating from the pocket as Arizona's offense works to establish rhythm early in the nonconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
If he can right the ship in April — and more Aprils to come — the team with O'Connell's offensive brain, Flores' documented defensive terrorism, and Murray can compete for Super Bowls. This is the way.
And if Murray goes down due to injury, McCarthy will be waiting to prove himself all over again.
