The Minnesota Vikings entered the offseason knowing they needed answers to several urgent problems. According to CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan, whether they found them or not will largely determine how the 2026 season unfolds. Sullivan handed Minnesota a “C” grade for its offseason work, a middle-of-the-pack evaluation that reflects both the intriguing upside and undeniable risk surrounding one of the NFL’s more fascinating roster transformations.
Everything begins with Kyler Murray who could propel the Vikings into the an NFC playoff spot.
Minnesota made its biggest splash by bringing in the former Pro Bowl quarterback, creating one of the league’s more compelling quarterback situations entering training camp. The Vikings are betting heavily on head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ability to maximize the talent of Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz, while raising the offensive ceiling for a team that finished 9-8 in 2025.
The talent has never been questioned.
Over the past several seasons, Murray has battled injuries that have prevented him from consistently reaching the elite level many expected when he entered the NFL, and his 2025 season ended with Arizona shutting the former Heisman Trophy winner down for financial reasons. CBS Sports highlighted that reality directly, noting Minnesota’s offseason success could ultimately rest on whether Murray stays healthy and delivers steady quarterback play.
The upside is obvious.
Murray’s mobility could give O’Connell an entirely different dimension offensively. Pairing him with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison creates a scenario where the Vikings could quickly become one of the NFC’s more dangerous offenses if everything clicks. The floor, however, remains concerning, as Minnesota also made difficult decisions defensively.
The Vikings moved on from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave while trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, in moves designed in part around financial flexibility and long-term roster planning. Those departures leave significant production to replace.
That reality places even more pressure on first-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
The talented Florida product brings high-end upside and physical tools Minnesota badly needed along the defensive front, but durability concerns followed him into the draft process. If Banks develops quickly, Minnesota’s defensive transition becomes far easier to manage. If injuries linger, concerns about the Vikings’ defensive ceiling could grow quickly. Minnesota also added wide receiver Jauan Jennings, linebacker Jake Golday, cornerback James Pierre, and defensive tackle Domonique Orange in an effort to strengthen depth throughout the roster.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings earn a C grade from CBS Sports off-season analysis