The 2026 Minnesota Vikings: 3 Things I Think and 3 Things I Know

As a Canadian, if felt natural to fall in love with hockey before falling in love with any other sport. Such is life for many a Canadian kid, even one (such as myself) who didn’t play growing up.

So, a tip of the cap to Max Bultman, a Detroit Red Wings writer whom I appreciate. He recently did a think/know piece on The Athletic (link) that functions as the inspiration here.

Below are a trio of things I think I know about the Minnesota Vikings. There are then a trio of things I know about the Minnesota Vikings. Check ’em out and let me know on Twitter (@VikingsGazette) what you think and/or know.

The Minnesota Vikings
3 Things I Think and 3 Things I Know

I Think the Minnesota Vikings … Gave Up on J.J. McCarthy Too Early

Time well tell, of course, but I still struggle to wrap my head around this one. Picking up a Day 3 pick and nothing more isn’t surprising given that a team wouldn’t likely send out a ton given that he hasn’t played particularly well.

Still, though, should the Vikings have moved on so easily?

The 23-year-old quarterback has a ton of talent. What he needs is the chance to soak up practice and coaching away from the spotlight. Doing so as Minnesota’s QB3 would have been my approach. Instead, he’ll work with John Harbaugh, a very good coach, in New York.

I Know the Minnesota Vikings … Need to Appreciate the Elite Effort from Brian Flores

Brian Flores doesn’t have any elite players. He has several good players, some of whom are very good (Dallas Turner, Blake Cashman, etc.), but nobody who is in the same stratosphere as a Justin Jefferson.

Coach Flores is nevertheless leading an elite defense.

Keep in mind, folks, that the excuses could be ample. The DC is working through an ongoing lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination. Most people would find this situation stressful, especially since Coach Flores continues to be employed in the NFL. Maybe he is stressed but that hasn’t hindered him from proving over and over again that he’s among the most sophisticated football minds in the game.

Appreciate him.

I Think the Minnesota Vikings … Should Find a Way to Play Jake Golday

He certainly looks like an NFL football player.

On specials, Jake Golday had a terrific play last weekend when punching the ball out in kickoff coverage. He hasn’t yet had enough opportunity play a bunch on defense, though he dabbled at edge rusher a touch.

Where there’s so much intrigue is that his frame and athleticism means he can drop back in coverage, chase down runners, and pin his ears back to go after the passer.

Huge potential.

I Know the Minnesota Vikings … Believe they Can Do Something Special

A funny thing about sports is that nobody will believe you can do it until you do it. So, if the Vikings want to prove to onlookers that they’re capable of winning a Super Bowl, then they’ll need to do precisely that: win the Super Bowl.

Something about lifting the Lombardi tends to end debates (see: Darnold, Sam).

I don’t pretend to be clairvoyant. Nor, for that matter, have I ever been mistaken for someone who can read minds. Maybe the coaching staff and/or roster boasts some doubters. What I nevertheless feel confident proclaiming is that there’s genuine belief about this team doing something special. The locker room is healthy and thinks Minnesota can go on a run. That does mean something.

I Think the Minnesota Vikings … Should Add at Running Back

The Aaron Jones/Jordan Mason combo is good. Not great, but good. What’s also clear is that the DeeJay Dallas/Demond Claiborne depth tandem isn’t great.

So, maybe an add.

I’ve seen Saquon Barkley mentioned but that’s quite unlikely. Much more likely is a talent who is in the range of Tony Pollard. He would be a nice pickup. Any others make sense? Consider some of what PurplePTSD said on the issue earlier in the week.

I Know the Minnesota Vikings … Need More from the Kevin O’Connell and Kyler Murray Marriage

Not good enough. Not yet, at least.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Kyler Murray both have ample talent. Sometimes, though, that talent hasn’t led to compelling success on the field. O’Connell’s Vikings have looked good in the regular season but they’ve been walloped in the playoffs. Murray has seen even more modest success even if he’s had some jaw-dropping, eye-popping moments.

Neither has been good enough for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings. Combined, they need to push each other higher in this odd, clunky, awkward marriage that could somehow work.