Last week, CBS Sports‘ Carter Bahns identified seven teams that could “bottom out” in 2026 and need a quarterback next April during the upcoming draft’s very deep class. For better or worse, the Minnesota Vikings made the cut.
Minnesota’s season may hinge on whether Murray can stabilize a quarterback room full of uncertainty.
It’s not a good list to frequent, but Bahns sees the Vikings on the brink nevertheless.
The Quarterback Bet Drives the Whole Argument
Do you think the Vikings are on the verge of a full franchise reset?
Bahns: Vikings Could Need a Rookie QB in 2027
Minnesota was on Bahns’ naughty list, which included teams like the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. He defended his take: “The floor and ceiling: Even in a year when McCarthy sustained injury after injury, stretching the quarterback room as thin as possible, the Vikings still finished a game above .500.”
“If McCarthy stays healthy and improves, or if Murray proves to be the reclamation project Minnesota hopes for, this should be a playoff team. Otherwise, a handful of wins should still be attainable, which likely leaves the front office picking in the middle of the first round.”
One might argue that the Vikings are in great shape with Murray and McCarthy, possibly having the best of both worlds: a hungry veteran ready to prove himself and a 23-year-old whippersnapper also ready to prove himself.
Bahns continued, “The veteran who could change the plan: Much like the Falcons, Minnesota finds itself choosing between an oft-injured and unproven youngster and a perennial middle-of-the-road veteran seeking one final chance as a starter.”
“The more team-friendly outcome is for McCarthy to figure things out, but the more likely scenario is that Murray delivers a solid campaign and forces the Vikings to decide between re-signing him or finding a rookie replacement.”
Did the Vikings Teach Everybody Nothing with Sam Darnold?
Perhaps the masses should reconsider criticism of the Vikings’ quarterback strategy.
Two years ago, Minnesota signed Sam Darnold, and the fan reaction was overwhelmingly negative. The Vikings were really going to start the post-Kirk Cousins era with a player who had become a national punchline? Yes, that was indeed the plan.
And guess what? It worked. Darnold ended up throwing 35 touchdowns in Minnesota, revitalized his career, and even secured a Super Bowl title with the 2025 Seattle Seahawks after his time with the Vikings. What seemed like a lackluster move back in March ultimately provided Minnesota with significant value from a quarterback many had already written off.
Now, Murray is joining the team with a stronger track record than Darnold had at that time.
Murray has already played at a high level, demonstrated his ability as a starter, and shown a ceiling that Darnold never reached in the public eye back in 2024. Thus, dismissing the Vikings’ decision-makers before Murray even steps onto the field feels premature.
They found success with Darnold for a season, so expecting similar results from Murray shouldn’t seem far-fetched.
Don’t Underestimate Murray
Murray can ball; that’s all there is to it. Over the last eight months or so, some have decided that he isn’t very good and that his career is on the brink.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. He’ll have added motivation to prove the Arizona Cardinals made a mistake by releasing him. He’s one of the fastest quarterbacks in the NFL. His arm strength is supreme, with the ability to throw the ball 60-70 yards. And Murray is known for his accuracy, so much so that he ranks No. 5 in NFL history in completion percentage.
The narrative that Murray is a down-on-his-luck passer is just bizarre.
As recently as the 2024 season, the Cardinals owned a 6-4 record through 10 games, and Murray was considered a fringe MVP candidate. Based on the current vibe around his production, that seems like a decade ago or as if it never happened at all.
Falcons as a Vikings Bedfellow
Atlanta is in an eerily similar situation to Minnesota. Injuries have stymied Michael Penix Jr.’s young career — like McCarthy. Tua Tagovailoa is banking on a geographic cure after years of proven production — like Murray.
Bahns on the Falcons as bottom-out candidates: “The floor and ceiling: Atlanta’s floor is reasonably high because if one of Penix or Tagovailoa does not work out, the other is still a serviceable player. Quarterback play seems unlikely to fall off a cliff, and the offensive weapons are some of the best in the league.”
“Neither signal-caller is a franchise cornerstone, though, so the most reasonable outcome is for the Falcons to finish in the middle of the pack and pick somewhere in the teens come draft day.”
Not for nothing, the Vikings and Falcons meet on November 29th in Minneapolis.
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