The Minnesota Vikings are looking to win their fourth season-opener in five years under Kevin O'Connell on Sunday. Standing in their way are the Green Bay Packers, who dominated the Vikings 23-6 the last time the two teams met in a (real) meaningful game.
Expectations are high internally for Minnesota, but many of the Vikings' biggest offseason bets remain unproven. What better way to test them than against their fiercest division rival in Week 1?
If those bets pay off, the Vikings could be in for a good season. If the warning signs emerge immediately on Sunday, there could be reason for concern.
Kyler Murray's fit in Kevin O'Connell's system
On the surface, the one-year, $1.3 million deal Kyler Murray signed in March was a no-brainer. The former No. 1 overall pick hadn't been able to replicate
his early-career success as of late in Arizona, but he still possesses more physical talent than most quarterbacks in the league. Pairing him with Kevin O'Connell and Justin Jefferson should help get Murray's career back on track.
But there is still a concern that his play style won't mesh with O'Connell's system. The offense underwent a philosophical shift in the offseason, with more pistol and shotgun looks installed to accommodate Murray. But the Vikings' offense has operated best with quarterbacks who can take advantage of defenses with play action from under center.
And as much as O'Connell would probably love to mold Murray into an under-center quarterback, the eight-year veteran still only stands 5-foot-10. O'Connell even joked during the preseason that Murray once admitted that he couldn't see over his linemen.
We will finally see exactly what the compromise is on Sunday, and whether or not it brings out the best in Murray.
Will there actually be a commitment to the running game?
Part of the offensive overhaul this offseason also has to do with a renewed emphasis on the run game. Minnesota ran more than they passed in four of their final five games of the 2025 season. O'Connell acknowledged throughout the offseason that the lessons learned in those five games (the Vikings won all of them) should be applied moving forward.
Minnesota hired former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as assistant head coach, hoping his experience with the "wide-zone" running scheme could help bring balance to the Vikings' offense. Keith Carter was promoted to head offensive line coach to bring a more aggressive approach up front.
On top of that, Minnesota drafted fullback Max Bredeson and signed Jauan Jennings, widely regarded as one of the league's top blocking receivers. These offseason moves signal change, and in one preseason drive, the starting offense ran six times for 44 yards.
Will O'Connell be able to stay committed to the run game on Sunday after a few plays get stuffed for no gain? Or will he lean into an approach that has as much to do with a shift in mindset as with tactical changes?
Is Dallas Turner actually ready for the full-time role?
There is plenty of optimism to suggest Dallas Turner is ready to take a giant leap forward in Year 3. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard on Day 2 of the draft, signaling their trust in Turner. But, like the concerns with Murray and the running game, until we actually see it, it's hard to bank on that potential coming to fruition.
However, Turner showed growth late in the 2025 season. He had 6.5 sacks in the final eight games of the season, filling in for Greenard, who was in and out of the lineup with a shoulder injury. Turner appeared much more comfortable in that role than when he was filling in during Andrew Van Ginkel's absence early in the season.
The Vikings poured plenty of resources into Turner in the 2024 draft, trading up to pick 17 to get him. Over two seasons, we've seen flashes, but not enough consistency. Can he build on his strong offseason and get after Jordan Love on Sunday? Or will he get stonewalled in his first test as a full-time starter?
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Causes for concern for the Vikings in Week 1 against the Packers
