The forthcoming action on the grass will start to reveal the potential of the 2026 Vikings.
In case you didn’t know (hopefully, you did, and if not, you do now), training camp practices get underway Wednesday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. So, with a day to spare, let’s conclude the offseason with a final look at NFL Power Rankings courtesy FOX Sports and The Athletic.
Minnesota was pegged a few spots higher by the former, checking in at No. 17. Reporter Ralph Vacchiano noted the success of the season will be tied strongly to the quarterback position.
In the FOX Sports assessment, Vacchiano grouped NFC North foes Detroit and Green Bay nearby at 15 and 16, respectively. Meanwhile, the defending division champion Bears are inside his Top 10 at No. 8.
Vacchiano’s Top 5 favors the franchise that traded for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and brings back MVP QB Matthew Stafford. Counting from 5 to 1, it goes New England, Seattle, Baltimore, Denver and the Los Angeles Rams. For what it’s worth, his 32nd club is Arizona. Check out his full ranking.
The Vikings were touted a bit lower by The Athletic’s Josh Kendall (being slept on can be advantageous).
At No. 20, Kendall highlighted the quarterback competition – like everyone else covering the league – between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray as the focus of interest. McCarthy has played just 10 games and rode a roller coaster of results, and Murray is very much embracing an opportunity to maximize his skills.
Kendall sided with Detroit (No. 10) as the division’s finest, followed by Chicago (12) and Green Bay (15).
You can read Kendall’s pre-training camp power rankings here.