Minnesota Vikings fans Carey “ValCarey” Lundberg and her daughter Bailey react in the stands after Cleveland scores a late fourth-quarter touchdown at the Metrodome. On Sep. 22, 2013, the pair watches the Browns seize control of a tense finish before Minnesota falls 31-27 in front of a stunned home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports. The Minnesota Vikings signed a new quarterback, fired their general manager, found a replacement, traded their best defensive player, and onboarded a new draft class in the last several months, and all that work is good enough for a ‘D+’ offseason, according to Yahoo Sports‘ Frank Schwab,
Most Vikings fans would grade the offseason much higher, but as an outsider, Schwab is not very impressed. Vikings Cap Reset Affected Every Major Decision
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles away from pressure against Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium, keeping the play alive as defenders close during fourth-quarter action.
On Oct. 30, 2022, Murray uses his mobility to extend the possession while Arizona pushes for points late in the road matchup against the Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports. Schwab Delivers ‘D+’ Offseason Grade for Vikings
Sizing up each team heading into the 2026 regular season, Schwab wrote about the Vikings last week, “The Vikings lost three good linemen from their defensive front, which is evident from the salaries they commanded with other teams. A lot is now expected from edge rusher Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick who did take strides with eight sacks last season.”
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“Minnesota also lost receiver Jalen Nailor, who the Raiders thought was worth more than $35 million over three years. Minnesota didn’t do much in free agency, feeling the cap crunch. They did sign former 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings for $8 million over one year, and also cornerback James Pierre for $8.5 million over two years.”
In July, the Vikings have $13 million remaining in cap space.
“No other outside free agent got more than $1.5 million, though Kyler Murray’s minimum $1.3 million deal is included in that. The draft class, led by defensive lineman Caleb Banks and linebacker Jake Golday in the first and second rounds, was panned,” Schwab continued. “Minnesota’s draft got the fourth-worst consensus grade, and two of the three teams behind them didn’t have a first-round pick.
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Jennings was a good addition and Murray was a value, but the roster overall took some hits. Grade: D+.”
Murray Alone (for $1.3M) Should Be Good Enough for At Least a ‘B’
In March, after much anticipation, the Arizona Cardinals finally dumped Murray, refusing to explore a trade and instead letting him walk to the open market and willing to pay him to play for another NFL squad. The Vikings pounced, handing him a contract worth $1.3 million.
All signs point to Murray starting for the Vikings after he partakes in a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy in a couple of weeks. Finding and empowering a starting quarterback for $1.3 million — especially one as productive as Murray — is just phenomenal value. Even if Murray doesn’t pan out for the long term, giving him an audition for $1.3 million is enough to drag an offseason grade from a ‘D+’ to the ‘B’ range. Not long ago, Murray was considered a Top 15 quarterback in the business.
Now, the Vikings employ him for the NFL’s version of free. Jonathan Greenard Trade Less Than Ideal
The offseason wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however. Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard wanted a new contract, and Minnesota apparently could not afford his asking price, which turned out to be $100 million over the next four seasons. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski traded Greenard and a 7th-Round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for two 3rd-Rounders. One of those picks has already fetched safety Jakobe Thomas, and the other is on the way in April 2027.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard speaks with reporters at Croke Park after facing Pittsburgh, reflecting on the afternoon as the team completes its postgame media responsibilities. On Sep. 28, 2025, Greenard answers questions following the International Series matchup while Minnesota processes the result and prepares to move forward from Dublin later that evening. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Still, it’s risky business to trade productive pass rushers, and there’s a chance that Minnesota regrets the Greenard swap. He was the team’s best defensive player, and while he didn’t register many sacks in 2025, his quarterback pressure numbers remained top-notch. Most serious and playoff-contending football teams stack EDGE rushers — like the Eagles. The Vikings hope to replace Greenard with Dallas Turner. If Schwab’s offseason grade proves right, offloading Greenard might be the smoking gun.
Doing More with Less
Minnesota’s plan became crystal clear once free agency began. The Vikings had a choice to pursue high-profile players.
However, that strategy would have necessitated pushing substantial cap hits into future seasons, inevitably leading to a difficult reckoning — a path exemplified by teams like Philadelphia for years and New Orleans until their recent financial restructuring. Instead, Minnesota’s front office opted for a different approach, prioritizing value. Murray’s acquisition perfectly illustrates this strategy: securing a potential starting quarterback on a modest deal allowed the Vikings to address a critical position without overextending their budget.
Minnesota Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf watch the team face Cleveland at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, taking in the International Series atmosphere from the sideline. On Oct. 5, 2025, the brothers observe Minnesota’s overseas matchup as the organization represents the franchise before a packed crowd in London on Sunday afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The decision also enabled them to avoid expensive bidding wars. Tyler Linderbaum was never a serious target, nor did Minnesota engage in the frenzy for Trey Hendrickson. This offseason was fundamentally about creating financial flexibility.
The Vikings effectively designated 2026 as a salary cap reset year while assembling a competitive team. Therefore, by next spring, their financial outlook should be vastly improved, granting the front office considerable freedom to address remaining roster needs. If you want the Vikings to have a busy offseason in 2027 and 2028, low spending was required in 2026. That alone might fetch a grade higher than a ‘D+.’
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist.
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