Vikings named among teams with a strong chance to return to playoffs

The minnesota-vikings/347" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Minnesota Vikings are expecting their offense to bounce back in 2026 after signing Kyler Murray in the opening days of free agency. Murray was released by the Arizona Cardinals after seven seasons, but the Vikings are hoping Kevin O’Connell can help him revitalize his career.

They are also hoping Christian Darrisaw is healthier this year after his game-to-game status in 2025 was in question following his return from an ACL injury suffered in 2024. His absence from the lineup last year was an underrated contributor to the offense’s lack of success.

If the Vikings can get bounce-back performances out of Murray and Darrisaw, they could return to the postseason in 2026, says Greg Auman of FOX Sports.

If the Minnesota Vikings had found ways to put up more points last season, they would’ve made the postseason for a second straight year. They had a top-10 defense with coordinator Brian Flores, going 7-2 in games where they scored 20 points or more. That suggests if the offense can get back to 2024 levels, they could be a surprise team in the NFC North. However, big questions loom. Will Kyler Murray prove to be a bargain on a league minimum prove-it deal? Can rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks show he wasn’t a first-round reach and offset the loss of edge rusher Jonathan Greenard? Can wide receiver Jauan Jennings find himself again as a potent 1-2-3 with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison?

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If the Minnesota Vikings had found ways to put up more points last season, they would’ve made the postseason for a second straight year. They had a top-10 defense with coordinator Brian Flores, going 7-2 in games where they scored 20 points or more. That suggests if the offense can get back to 2024 levels, they could be a surprise team in the NFC North. However, big questions loom. Will Kyler Murray prove to be a bargain on a league minimum prove-it deal? Can rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks show he wasn’t a first-round reach and offset the loss of edge rusher Jonathan Greenard? Can wide receiver Jauan Jennings find himself again as a potent 1-2-3 with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison?

Auman raises the questions that surround the defense. Banks’ foot injuries from 2025 made him a risky pick in the first round, but Minnesota is confident he is past them. The Vikings also took linebacker Jake Golday and fellow defensive tackle Domonique Orange in the second and third rounds following the Banks selection.

That suggests the Vikings are not only expecting an improved offense but also the possibility of an infusion of young talent on defense that could strengthen the team’s strongest unit last year. If both sides of the ball improve, Minnesota could return to the playoffs this season, even in the competitive NFC North.