Vikings' 2027 QB Plan is Not as Obvious as it Seems

Vikings' 2027 QB Plan is Not as Obvious as it Seems Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talk after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images It's a worthwhile use of brain power to consider the fact that, just maybe, the Vikings' acquisition of Kyler Murray doesn't necessarily work out in their favor. There's legitimate reason for excitement based on some of the electric displays that Murray has put on in his career when you consider the fact that the Vikings are providing him with the best situation that he's ever been a part of. Optimism is widespread, but when it comes to this team, it will never be the consensus. Based on Kevin O'Connell's track record with QBs, if Murray starts the entire season, then we're looking at a minimum of 13 wins for the Vikings in 2026. That's not hope, that's just history. The two times KOC had his starting QB play all 17 games, the team won 13 games in 2022 with Kirk Cousins and 14 games in 2024 with Sam Darnold. Unfortunately, history also suggests that even with the successful regular season, there will be no playoff payoff. If that's the case this season, then there's a decent chance that O'Connell would be let go by the Vikings and would probably land on his feet very quickly as a head coach for some other franchise. Still, it sounds like O'Connell has some power within the organization, so it's not completely crazy to think that even with another 9-8 season that keeps you half a game out of the playoffs, Minnesota would run it back with him again in 2027. If that happens, though, then something went wrong with Kyler Murray. Vikings, Kyler Murray Extension's Bar-for-Entry Isn't as High as it Seems Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Whether it be injury or simply just poor play, Minnesota would be hard-pressed to extend Kyler Murray. If the Vikings were to extend Murray in either of these circumstances, then it would be quite clear that they felt the pressure not to let another one get away after Sam Darnold completely burned them after they gave the keys to the family car to J.J. McCarthy with zero competition. There's no doubt that, even if the Vikings are only paying Murray $1.3 million, they are banking on him heavily, even if they don't make it seem like it. The options if Kyler Murray doesn't work out aren't the most attractive; sure, you could try and pivot back to J.J. McCarthy, but outside of the elephant in the room that he still can't process what's going on, it would be unprecedented for a team to hand someone with his circumstances back the job in his fourth season and have it work out. Another popular theory is the draft, and that is much more easily said than done. 'Just draft a QB' is a great theory when you don't consider the fact that the Vikings are probably going to have a floor around .500, putting them in the mid-first round in the 2027 draft. Sure, it's a stacked QB class, but it was in 2024 as well, and they ended up with J.J. McCarthy. If you want to trade up for one of the more 'sure things' at the position in the first round, you'd have to do something you couldn't do in 2024 and convince one of the teams in the top 3 to trade away their selection. It's not impossible, but it's much easier to say 'well, just trade up for a QB' than it is to truly perform the action. It Might Be Another 'Mercenary' Signing Dec 17, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports As much as many Vikings fans don't like to hear it, another mercenary signing in 2027 is a very real option. Kirk Cousins provided the most stable QB position on the Vikings over multiple seasons since the turn of the century; Brett Favre brought them the closest they've been to a Super Bowl in the last 50 years, and they stumbled into Sam Darnold, who won 14 games and left to immediately win a ring. Kyler Murray is the new mercenary in town, and he might provide the most upside of any of the other rentals they've signed since I was born. Even with that, Baker Mayfield may be available next offseason. While it is worthwhile to consider what happens next offseason as a fan, the Vikings are pouring all of their energy and focus into Kyler Murray in 2026. Next offseason is next offseason, and this season technically hasn't even started yet. No matter what happens in 2026, there will be consequences, whether they're good or bad. As a longtime Vikings fan, I have a feeling which ones they'll be. Also Read:Vikings Get Some Honest Words from Packers HC Matt LaFleur Brevan Bane By Brevan's writing features a wide-lens, encompassing everything from draft analysis to expert in-game analyses. Readers can expect a passionate ... More about Brevan Bane