Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Does Being Undefeated Make You Happy?

I am bewildered as to why so many people (writers, bloggers, podcasters, fans, etc) are down on the Vikings mainly because the offense is failing to score enough points for their liking. I contend that the Vikings are actually doing an excellent job running their offense especially considering the injuries they have had to navigate whilst trying to incorporate Kyler Murray into the offense. They are not turning it over and they have one of the top time of possessions in the NFL thus far. This is allowing

their defense to stay well rested and wreak havoc. But they get not credit for any of that.

Here are some numbers for time of possession and rushing yards per game …

Chicago Bears | 35:30 | #1 | 154.29 | #1 | #31 | #21 | 7
Minnesota Vikings | 32:43 | #2 | 119.33 | #12 | #24 | #26 | 6
New York Giants | 32:32 | #3 | 116.71 | #15 | #30 | #31 | 7
Arizona Cardinals | 32:15 | #4 | 96.00 | #23 | #6 | #5 | 7
Indianapolis Colts | 31:59 | #5 | 117.57 | #14 | #19 | #16 | 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 31:55 | #6 | 146.43 | #3 | #10 | #8 | 7
Jacksonville Jaguars | 31:29 | #7 | 112.83 | #18 | #13 | #27 | 6
Seattle Seahawks | 31:21 | #8 | 113.71 | #17 | #12 | #2 | 7

(Note: TOP is Time Of Possession; for SOS ranks, 1 is the hardest and 32 is the easiest.)

Also, the Vikings defense ranks #1 in the NFL for the opponent’s average starting field position. Opposing offenses are forced to start their drives at an average of their own 25.3-yard line, This is helped by the dudes that put their foot on the ball. Through 6 games, the Vikings have punted 27 total times, pinning their opponents inside the 20-yard line on 10 of those opportunities (37.04% of their punts). This does not take away from the offense prioritizing clock management and not turning the ball over in their own territory.

… seems to me that KOC is actually doing an outstanding job keeping things afloat while dealing with the injuries. The defense is fantastic but they also are getting helped by the offense keeping the ball longer and not giving up short fields too often.

Now some might argue that other teams have had to deal with injury too. Not like the Vikings though.

Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray QB — left early in Week 1; missed Week 2.
Jordan Mason RB — injured his thumb in Week 1; missed Weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5
Christian Darrisaw LT — left Week 4 with a concussion; missed Week 5.
T.J. Hockenson TE — left Week 5 after three snaps with a concussion; missed the next game, with the Week 6 bye in between.
Justin Jefferson WR — left Week 3 with an ankle injury; missed Week 4.
Jordan Addison WR — missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury.
Jauan Jennings WR — missed Week 2.
Donovan Jackson LG — suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4.

The only other team to come close has been the 0-6 Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers

David Njoku TE — reported absences in Weeks 3–7; exact game-by-game status needs verification.
Kayode Awosika LG — reported absences in Weeks 3 and 5–7.
Joe Alt RT — reported absences in Weeks 4–5.
Tyler Biadasz C — reported absences in Weeks 4–5.
Rashawn Slater LT — reported absences in Weeks 5–6.
Ladd McConkey WR — left Week 1 early; reported out in Week 6.
Tre Harris WR — left Week 5 early; reported out in Weeks 6–7.
Omarion Hampton RB — reported out in Week 3.

For me, when you take all of this into context, the fact that the team is undefeated is outstanding work.

I realize that the wailing and gnashing of teeth will continue on in regards to the JJ McCarthy trade. I do not think it will ever die down this season and probably not for at least one or more future seasons.

If he stayed, the odds of him playing this year were low. He would have had to surpass Wentz as the backup?
If he did not play then what would his trade value have been in the 2027 offseason?
Should they have gotten more than a 5th? Well yeah. Why not?
But from what team? What team would have traded more for him now?
It’s easy to say but harder to identify the team willing to give up more knowing that he was injured often (including this 2026 preseason) and had fallen to third string.
The best thing is that JJ McCarthy now has a chance to play and try to put his game on tape so that he is able to secure a future contract.

I’m OK with the return but always want more in trades.

What will the Vikings do in 2027? Well, if not Murray, then they could try for Mac Jones. Deshaun Watson is likely going to be released due to his contract and he is doing well this year. Daniel Jones could get released too. That is possibly four options there. Could Lamar Jackson be on the trade block? That might be the dream scenario.

Overall, I think the team is headed in the right direction. I think they will have a decent QB for next season and right now my money is on Murray returning.

I would not mind that if he plays a little better the rest of the way. A short 2 yr deal plus maybe bring in Anthony Richardson to back him up.

Now you know why I am not GM eh?

News Alert
The Bears traded two first round picks for Jeffrey Simmons! Wow! I love it!

Looks like Jonathan Taylor is not going anywhere either. According to Shefter, the Colts do not “inherently” want to trade Taylor

Would you trade a 2027 2nd, 2027 5th, and a 2028 3rd for Taylor?

I would without hesitation. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are both free agents and there are no good backs as free agents next year either. The team will likely have to spend a first or second to get a decent back in the draft. I’d rather have Taylor if possible.

If the Vikings do trade for him before the game this week they would owe him about 5.3M in salary for the rest of the season.. If they wait until after this game and before the next game (makes the most sense now) then they would owe him 4.8M in salary for the rest of the season.

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

2026 NFL Strength of Schedule | All 32 Teams Ranked
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-hq/strength-of-schedule

NFL Football Power Index 2026
https://www.espn.com/nfl/fpi

Justin Jefferson says fewer opportunities leaving him with ‘in-between feeling’ amid Vikings’ 6-0 start
https://www.nfl.com/news/justin-jefferson-in-between-feeling-vikings-6-0-start

“I definitely would love winning games over having that production,” Jefferson said Wednesday, via ESPN. “There was definitely years before where I had that production and was not winning games. So it’s definitely an in-between feeling on, you want to be the best player in the league, and you want to have that production to show you are the best player in the league, but we’re winning games and we’re the only team undefeated in the league.

“What we’re doing right now [as a team] is working. Obviously there’s things to do better and things to fix on the offensive side of things, but all in all, it’s coming together and we’re doing things to win games.”
…
From coach Kevin O’Connell’s perspective, they’re in a fine place as they enter their Week 8 game against the rival Lions. The Vikings have plenty of room to grow offensively and aren’t carrying any pressure that comes with losses.

They’re also undergoing an identity shift that will inevitably reduce Jefferson’s opportunities.

“In the past we were throwing the ball a thousand times,” O’Connell said Wednesday when asked about the drop in Jefferson’s production. “That’s one thing. When you lead the league or you’re close to in rushing attempts on the early downs, controlling the game or attempting to control the game, there may not be just the amount of volume [of throws]. But he’s our best player. We’ve got to find a way to continue to activate him.”

Report: RB is Vikings’ top need, but ‘don’t hold your breath’ for Saquon or Taylor
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/report-rb-is-vikings-top-need-but-dont-hold-your-breath-for-saquon-or-taylor

“It’s the No. 1 need,” Pelissero, during his appearance on KFAN’s Power Trip Morning Show, said of Minnesota’s running back situation. “I think it’s the biggest thing that they could use. But I wouldn’t sit there and hold my breath for Saquon, Jonathan Taylor, or any of those top-end items, and there’s a bunch of reasons for that.”

“One, you have a new GM who has yet to run a draft and doesn’t want to empty out all of his draft capital to go all in on a veteran running back,” Pelissero said. “The second part of it is, the Vikings don’t have, when you look at the big picture, a ton of money to put toward that position right now. You got a bunch of guys, probably a half-dozen guys on defense, who are waiting to get paid. Dallas Turner is going to be, if you get the contract done this offseason, it’s going to be a monster type of a deal. You do have to be cognizant of where you’re going to need to have to deploy those cash and cap resources moving forward.”

“If they’re going to acquire a running back, it just may be a little bit too difficult to do something that’s a huge swing,” Pelissero added. “If you’re trading for Saquon, who I don’t believe the Eagles are going to move, or Jonathan Taylor, whom the Colts would move, but it’s gotta be a real offer — that’s a lot of capital.”

NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Vikings claim No. 1 spot; Browns, Falcons nearing top 10
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-8-2026-nfl-season

Rank 1
Minnesota Vikings
6-0
Week 7 claimed two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL, leaving the Vikings as the last unbeaten squad standing. They climbed to the mountaintop by winning in their familiar fashion, with defense leading the way. Brian Flores’ unit is unquestionably elite and getting more creative with its approach each week. If the offense ever catches up, Minnesota will become a strong Super Bowl favorite.

New Vikings Trade Target Emerges After Bears Land Jeffery Simmons
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/new-vikings-trade-target-emerges-bears-land-justin-simmons-01m6425xa29f

Minnesota Vikings’ biggest issue on offense isn’t Kyler Murray, and the fix is staring them in the face
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/minnesota-vikings-biggest-issue-on-offense-isnt-kyler-murray-run-game-jordan-mason-aaron-jones-jonathan-taylor/

Most of the conversation around the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive struggles have centered on Kyler Murray. Those conversations are valid. However, the biggest issue on the Vikings’ offense isn’t the quarterback. The run game simply isn’t good enough.

Minnesota Vikings are expected to be active at the trade deadline, and one position could be an intriguing target
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/minnesota-vikings-expected-active-trade-120000137.html

Super Bowl odds 2027, NFL predictions: Are Vikings worth picking as the league’s last unbeaten team?
https://www.cbssports.com/prediction/news/super-bowl-odds-2027-nfl-predictions-vikings-worth-picking-as-leagues-last-unbeaten-team/

Prisca’s Week 8 NFL picks: Packers over Panthers, Lions hand Vikings their first loss
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pete-priscos-week-8-nfl-picks-odds-predictions/

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The undefeated Vikings face a tough road game here against Detroit. The Lions offense against the Minnesota defense will be a treat to watch. Jared Goff is playing at a high level right now, but Minnesota’s defense is the best in the league in terms of scoring. The Vikings offense is limited, but the Detroit defense has had major problems. But they were better last week, which I think carries over. Lions take it.

Pick: Lions 23, Vikings 13

Lunchbreak: How Vikings Defense is Built on Blitzing; NFL Trade Activity Heats Up
https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-defense-built-on-blitzing-nfl-trade-activity-2026

Vikings Sign Tight Ends Bryson Nesbit & Devin Culp to Practice Squad
https://www.vikings.com/news/signing-tight-ends-bryson-nesbit-devin-culp-practice-squad

Detroit Lions mailbag: How does one beat the Vikings defense?
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/detroit-lions-mailbag-does-one-163715041.html

Yore Mock

Trade with Jacksonville Jaguars
Sent: #85
Received: #90, #211
…
Trade with Baltimore Ravens
Sent: #150, #158
Received: #128, #178
…
Round 1 #21: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss (6’2″, 215 lbs)
Round 2 #53: Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky (6’6″, 325 lbs)
Round 3 #71: Damon Wilson, EDGE, Miami (FL) (6’4″, 240 lbs)
Round 3 #90: Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State (6’2″, 235 lbs)
Round 4 #128: Jamari Sharpe, CB, Indiana (6’1″, 190 lbs)
Round 5 #153: Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana (6’2″, 200 lbs)
Round 5 #178: Drew Bobo, IOL, Georgia (6’5″, 305 lbs)
Round 6 #182: Jamal Roberts, RB, Missouri (5’11”, 200 lbs)
Round 6 #199: Cooper Barkate, WR, Miami (FL) (6’1″, 195 lbs)
Round 6 #211: Terrence Green, DT, Alabama (6’5″, 315 lbs)
Round 6 #212: Sebastian Cheeks, EDGE, Wisconsin (6’3″, 240 lbs)