Vikings Aren’t Gaining Any Momentum in Way-Too-Early 2026 Power Rankings
A lot of Vikings fans are able to get on board with the idea that the Vikings’ offense with Kyler Murray in the driver’s seat could be absolutely electric to watch. Big plays, the dynamic of a scrambling QB who also has very good arm talent, the element of a good run game, it’s all enough to make the lot of us buy in to the purple team this season.
Not only could the Vikings have a very potent offense, they’re also more likely to have a great defense like we’ve become used to again in recent years. Brian Flores is still employed by the team, and in fact, got a major extension earlier this offseason to remain in the Twin Cities. That deal will basically last him until he probably gets a head coaching gig somewhere in the next season or two. That’s the flip-side of these good defenses, is that as long as the Vikings have them, Flores will be a key player in coaching searches during the offseason.
Not everyone is going to buy in to everything the Vikings have going on, though, and a recent power rankings proves that.
Vikings Land 21st in Bleacher Report Power Rankings
Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton, and Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report all converged on a power rankings piece, ranking every team from best-to-worst based off their current situations as we inch closer to training camp. The Vikings brought home 21st.
Brent Sobleski provided some reasoning for the Vikings to bring home the disappointing placement:
“The Vikings’ success or failure is rather simple to ascertain simply because the outcome relies almost solely on how the quarterback position progresses. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is viewed as a quarterback whisperer based on what he was able to accomplish with Sam Darnold before he left to join the Seattle Seahawks. O’Connell didn’t have the same success last year while trying to bring along JJ McCarthy and the other quarterbacks on the roster. Now, Kyler Murray likely steps into the starting role.
Murray’s natural ability has never been questioned. O’Connell must get the most out of the former No. 1 overall pick from a mental standpoint while also maximizing his tantalizing athleticism. If the Vikings’ coaching staff gets the most out of Murray, Minnesota will make some noise this fall.“
It’s another belief that Kyler Murray will be the starter, and another case of opting to “wait and see” instead of planting the flag on the hill of the Vikings potentially being a very good team in 2026. Sure, the door is left open to it at the end of Sobleski’s explanation, but we’re yet to see an analyst really have a strong take on the 2026 Vikings in power rankings like these instead of just going “oh, well they might be good, I’m not really sure”.
Vikings Ranked Last in NFC North
Based on these rankings, the purple team is still apparently the worst team in the NFC North.
- 10. Chicago Bears
- 12. Detroit Lions
- 14. Green Bay Packers
- 21. Minnesota Vikings
2025 was a year of chaos for Minnesota, yet they still finished with a winning record, and still split season series with the Bears and Packers, and swept the Lions. In fact, they beat the Lions by multiple scores with Max Brosmer.
I understand analysts wanting to be careful when it comes to talking about them, but can we get a little spicy? We’re all very well aware of what Minnesota could be, and what they have been when Kevin O’Connell has an experienced QB.
Still, apparently it’s not even good enough to rank ahead of the Carolina Panthers.
