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NFL.com Flags 3 Lingering Questions for the Vikings
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- NFL.com Flags 3 Lingering Questions for the Vikings
Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is complete, and the Minnesota Vikings walked away from the event with nine new players, in addition to 19 undrafted free agents signed over the weekend. Now, NFL.com has turned its attention to the rest of the spring and summer, identifying three main questions for Kevin O'Connell's team.
Minnesota has most of its roster set, but a few decisions matter before training camp in July.
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Oddsmakers expect Minnesota to finish 8-9 or 9-8 in 2026; here's what it may need to answer to bump that forecast to 10-7 or so.
The Vikings Still Have Three Loose Ends to Solve
It's a "Big Three" from NFL.com.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing during 2026 NFL free agency, with March 12, 2026 capturing his introduction in Eagan. Murray addresses expectations, roster fit, and the transition to Minnesota as the franchise presents its new starting quarterback to the media. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
1. Is Kyler Murray the Obvious QB1?
The Arizona Cardinals severed ties with Murray in March after months of onlookers expecting the outcome. Then, the Vikings pounced, striking a one-year deal with Murray worth just $1.3 million, as he was already paid for 2026 by Arizona .
Now, NFL.com's Kevin Patra wonders if Murray is the for-sure QB1. He wrote , "Now that we're past the draft, the quarterback battle royale in Minnesota can commence. The assumption is that Murray signed to be the starter, and little we've heard suggests otherwise. But we need to see the QBs on the field to cement that belief. The future of J.J. McCarthy is the big question."
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"Will he push Murray? Will he wash out and even be leapfrogged by Carson Wentz ? Kevin O'Connell has always spoken positively about McCarthy, but the Vikings' offseason actions in the QB room tell a different story. Would the Vikings keep the first-round pick around if he's QB3?"
There's a somewhat common misnomer that Murray needs some kind of career reclamation with the Vikings — akin to Sam Darnold in 2024. But in reality, this isn't like that at all. Not one bit. Murray is, at worst, a Top 15 quarterback when healthy, producing efficiency numbers similar to those of Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers . Murray doesn't need to rekindle anything in the Twin Cities; he just needs to be himself and use the tools his maker gave him.
McCarthy, on the other hand, will likely need serendipity to get a shot at his QB1 job. Yes, you can call that a Murray injury. Wentz is in the house for QB3 insurance because two Vikings seasons in the last three years have been ruined by injuries to Kirk Cousins , Nick Mullens , McCarthy, and even Wentz personally.
Our Answer: Murray will win the QB1 job handily; a "competition" is just window dressing.
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2. Will Harrison Smith Return?
In early January, Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the 2026 campaign, and, based on the fan and team festivities, it felt like Smith's final game. Soon after, the offseason arrived — and nothing happened with Smith. He didn't retire; he hasn't signed a contract extension.
Patra noted, "As we get to May, Smith still hasn't announced his intentions for 2026. If he decides to play, the Vikings have said they'd love to have him back. Minnesota selected Jakobe Thomas in the third round, but didn't add a veteran to the safety crew. There is no question that the secondary would be better if Smith returned."
This one is 50-50. Smith has joked in the past that when his time in the NFL was over, nobody would know it, and he'd just fade away. That appears to be happening now.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) scores a touchdown in front of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during first-half action at Ford Field, with Jan. 5, 2025 marking the divisional matchup. Gibbs crosses the goal line as Smith trails the play in a key scoring moment for Detroit. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.
Without Smith, Minnesota would roll with Josh Metellus , Jay Ward , Theo Jackson , and the aforementioned rookie, Thomas, at safety. That might just be enough.
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It's also strange that Smith wouldn't say one single peep of goodbye to the fan base that has unconditionally loved him since 2012.
Our Answer: Smith returns for one more year because he can't stand to think of Murray and the Vikings winning a Super Bowl without him.
3. Who's the WR3?
This one may already be on a path to clarity. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday afternoon. " 49ers free-agent wide receiver Jauan Jennings is visiting tonight and Wednesday with the Minnesota Vikings, per source."
Jennings is a dream WR3 for O'Connell — he's a "culture guy," and he blocks downfield for running backs. There's also ample overlap between O'Connell's system and Kyle Shanahan's in San Francisco .
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Unrelated to Jennings, Patra opined on WR3: "The loss of Jalen Nailor has mostly flown under the radar. The Vikes didn't draft any WR depth, pushing 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton up the depth chart. Can the player with three catches as a rookie take on a bigger role?"
"No receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the roster gained more than 25 receiving yards in 2025."
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) takes the field before kickoff at Levi's Stadium, with Jan. 3, 2026 capturing the pregame moment in Santa Clara. Jennings walks onto the field as the 49ers prepare for action, offering a glimpse of the wideout ahead of another contest. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images.
If the Jennings visit doesn't produce a contract, the Vikings have Felton as a WR3 possibility , assuming he shows significant strides at training camp in July and August.
Otherwise, this list of free agents is pretty spiffy:
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Brandon Aiyuk (if traded)
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Jauan Jennings
After the Schefter tweet, this one probably isn't complicated.
Our Answer: It's Jennings as the Vikings' WR3 after a fruitful Tuesday meeting.
