Vikings Land in Toilet of NFL Power Rankings Again

ESPN Power Rankings: Vikings at 9th-Worst

ESPN situated Minnesota and No. 24, and Kevin Seifert explained the most improved roster position: “Most improved position: Quarterback. The Vikings did some good work at defensive tackle in the draft, but they had long ago accomplished the most important task of the offseason by building a more competitive QB room.”

“Kyler Murray was the best quarterback available this offseason, and he will cost the Vikings only $1.3 million while the Cardinals pay the remainder of his $37.6 million salary. Instead of simply hoping J.J. McCarthy will take the necessary steps forward, the Vikings have a proven veteran with arguably higher upside in Murray.”

Murray will battle McCarthy this summer for the QB1 job at training camp, though most expect Murray to prevail — somewhat easily.

“And if it doesn’t work out, the Vikings brought back Carson Wentz to ensure the position will have a higher floor than it did last season,” Seifert concluded.

Just a Bit Mind-Boggling

Such power rankings continue to be confusing for a handful of reasons.

1. Minnesota finished 9-8 last season; they are not starting from a position of tremendous weakness. Concurrently, power rankings treat the franchise as if it finished 5-12 or 6-11 last year.
2. The Vikings’ defense ranked third in the NFL last year per EPA/Play and DVOA. Teams with great defenses don’t usually struggle or end up low in power rankings.
3. Minnesota signed Murray for the QB1 job in March; he’s a two-time Pro Bowler and an immediate upgrade over McCarthy.
4. Rarely does Minnesota have back-to-back underwhelming seasons.
5. The Vikings still have weapons on offense like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Mason.

Those components do not have the makings of the NFL’s 24th-best team.

Thankfully, Power Rankings Are Not Important

The Vikings have one simple goal in 2026 regarding power rankings: to defy their 24th-place NFL standing.

Last season, Minnesota finished 9-8, despite quarterback play that ranked fifth-worst in the league by Dropback EPA. The big bet here is that Murray will immediately boost their floor and blow off the ceiling.

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern celebrates after recording a second-half sack against the Cincinnati Bengals, reacting with teammates on Sep 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the defense created pressure and forced disruption at U.S. Bank Stadium during a key stretch of the contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

However, this is just a May power ranking, released four months before the season begins. No one will remember ESPN’s thoughts next fall if the Vikings start racking up wins and make the playoffs. Power rankings are simply a snapshot of current opinion.

A Twist from SI.com

To an extent, a different website gave Minnesota its flowers, at least compared to ESPN. SI.com ranked Minnesota as the NFL’s 19th-best team, sandwiched between the Detroit Lions at No. 18 and the Green Bay Packers at No. 20.

Conor Orr from that site opined, “I think we forget that the Vikings won nine games last season with a ridiculous carousel of quarterbacks, including a version of Carson Wentz so injured that a police report should have been filed. While we can all pile on the Caleb Banks pick, this was a draft of wild swings.”

“Banks may be a team’s only crack at a defensive tackle that can wreck games. And without a GM at the wheel, why not let DC Brian Flores have a voice?”

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores observes drills and evaluates players during minicamp practice on Jun 10, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as he monitored defensive execution and adjustments at the team’s training facility while continuing to shape the unit ahead of the upcoming NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Last month, CBS Sports‘ Jordan Dajani dropped Minnesota at No. 24 like ESPN and noted, “The Vikings missed the playoffs last year for the second time in four seasons under Kevin O’Connell, despite winning their final five games after a 4-8 start. Former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy didn’t do enough to secure the starting job, prompting Minnesota to bring in Kyler Murray to compete.”

“With an aggressive Brian Flores defense and one of the best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, there’s urgency to build a roster that complements the team’s strengths.”

Sportsbooks predict the Vikings to finish around 8-9 or 9-8. The next stop in the offseason is the schedule release, which should be about one week away. The Vikings will have nine home games this go-round and are expected to face a middle-of-the-road opponent docket per strength of schedule. The NFC North, of course, will probably be quite the murderer’s row once again.