MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball during the second quarter of a NFL football game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The franchise tag window opened yesterday! No player has been tagged yet.
AI question : “are there any players that have been franchise tagged in 2026”
As of February 18, 2026,
no players have officially received a franchise tag for the 2026 season. The NFL’s two-week franchise tag window just opened yesterday, February 17, and teams have until
4 p.m. ET on March 3 to make their final designations.
While no official tags have been applied yet, the following players are considered the primary candidates during this window:
- George Pickens (WR, Dallas Cowboys): Widely expected to be tagged after a career-best season with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
- Daniel Jones (QB, Indianapolis Colts): A top candidate for the tag to allow more time for contract negotiations following a productive but injury-shortened season.
- Breece Hall (RB, New York Jets): Viewed as a likely tag recipient as the most consistent part of the Jets’ offense.
- Kyle Pitts (TE, Atlanta Falcons): Expected to be prioritized for a tag or extension after a resurgent 2025 campaign earned him second-team All-Pro honors.
- Odafe Oweh (LB, Los Angeles Chargers): A strong candidate after recording 7.5 sacks in just 12 regular-season games for the Chargers.
Conversely, the Seattle Seahawks reportedly will
not use their franchise tag on Super Bowl 60 MVP
Kenneth Walker III, making him a likely target for the open market if no extension is reached before free agency begins on March 11.
…
Projected 2026 Franchise Tag Values
Position Projected Tag Cost
Quarterback $47.242 Million
Wide Receiver $28.037 Million
Offensive Line $27.764 Million
Defensive End $27.322 Million
Linebacker $27.600 Million
Tight End $16.007 Million
Running Back $14.186 Million
Kicker/Punter $6.846 Million
If I am the Jets then I am tagging Hall. Maybe the Falcons tag Pitts? I am very interested in seeing what the Ravens do with Tyler Linderbaum. If he hits the market as a free agent what are the chances he signs with the Vikings? The dude is going to get paid so that is not an issue. I suspect he will go to a team that has a real chance at winning. Considering the Vikings QB situation, they do not have a reacl chance at winning. But money talks.
2026 NFL Combine Key Dates (Tentative):
Feb 23-25: Prospect Arrival, Interviews, Medical Exams
Feb 26 (Thu): DL, LB, K (On-field workouts)
Feb 27 (Fri): DB, TE (On-field workouts)
Feb 28 (Sat): QB, RB, WR (On-field workouts)
Mar 1 (Sun): OL (On-field workouts)
Which NFL Draft prospects are headed to Indy? Here’s the full 2026 combine list
I know the non stop discussion is about the Vikings QB situation and there really is not alternative. You simply cannot bury your head in the sand or try to brush it under the rug like it does not exits. The head coach said this during his end of the season press conference …
O’Connell views potential competition for McCarthy as integral to his Year 3 evolution.
“I think there has to be,” O’Connell said, citing phenom receiver Justin Jefferson as an example of someone maximizing their talents via a competitive setting. “That’s what’s going to make everybody better in that room. It’s going to be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.
… as has been discussed ad nauseum, what level of competition the team obtains will tell a lot about where they believe JJ is at in his journey. If they go get Kyler Murray then Murray is the starter. They can have a “competition” but it will not be one. Murray is just better right now. So, if Murray has a respectable season and the team makes the playoffs, do you think they will go back to JJ in the last year of his contract? I don’t. What would they do in that case? I suppose there could be a team to roll the dice on JJ in 2027 similar to the Cowboys trading a 4th round pick for Trey Lance.
If not Murray, then what other QB would come in and NOT end up starting? Most of the veterans should win the “competition”. If the team brings in a veteran who might not win the competition then is the QB room really getting better? The hope is that JJ improves some next year and manages to play a full season but the team simply cannot afford to bank on that happening. It is hard to find another QB that is going to make the room better. May as well go with Wentz no?
AI question : “would kyler murray be a good fit in the vikings offense?”
Kyler Murray is widely viewed as a high-upside but “volatile” fit for Kevin O’Connell’s offense. While O’Connell traditionally prefers a rhythm-based, vertical passing game, there is a strong case that Murray’s elite physical tools could elevate the Vikings’ ceiling if the scheme is adapted.
Why He’s a Good Fit
- Vertical Prowess: O’Connell’s system is built on “explosive” chunk plays. Despite recent struggles in Arizona, Murray is historically one of the league’s most accurate deep passers and possesses 4.38 speed to extend plays.
- The “QB Whisperer” Effect: O’Connell’s success with veterans like Sam Darnold suggests he can revitalize former top picks. Murray’s ability to operate in spread concepts could provide a more versatile dynamic than J.J. McCarthy offered in 2025.
- Elite Weaponry: Murray has never played with a receiver of Justin Jefferson’s caliber. Analysts argue that a foundation of Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson is “ideal” for a quarterback with Murray’s skill set.
Areas of Concern
- Intermediate Accuracy: A staple of O’Connell’s offense is timing-based throws over the middle of the field. There are significant questions about whether the 5’10” Murray can consistently see and deliver these intermediate throws under pressure.
- Off-Script Tendencies: O’Connell values a quarterback who can “stand in the pocket and deliver”. Murray’s tendency to bail early and scramble may conflict with the precise, rhythm-based requirements of the “West Coast” influenced system.
- Scheme Adaptation: From 2023 to 2025, Murray struggled with deep play-action shots, ranking last in EPA per dropback on throws over 10 air yards. To make it work, O’Connell would likely need to shift from a vertical focus to more quick-game and spread concepts.
ai question : does murray have a higher percentage of passes batted than all other qbs
No,
Kyler Murray does not have a higher percentage of batted passes than all other quarterbacks. In fact, statistically, there is
little to no correlation between a quarterback’s height and the number of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.
Key Statistics on Batted Passes
- Rankings: During his early seasons, Murray’s batted pass rate was around 2.4% to 3.1%, which placed him outside the league lead.
- Taller QBs Lead: Historically, some of the tallest quarterbacks in the NFL have led the league in this metric. For example, Joe Flacco (6’6″) and Cam Newton (6’5″) have both led the NFL in batted pass rate at different points in their careers.
- Market Comparisons: Even in his draft year, Murray had only 5 passes batted down compared to Daniel Jones (6’5″) who had 12 and Drew Lock (6’4″) who had 8.
Why the “Height Myth” Persists
While it is a common narrative that Murray’s
5’10” frame would lead to more tips, scouts and analysts note that shorter quarterbacks like Murray and
Russell Wilson (5’11”) use specific mechanics to avoid this:
- Pocket Movement: They move within the pocket to find “throwing lanes” between offensive linemen rather than trying to throw directly over them.
- Release Point: Murray utilizes a high release point and a quick “flick” of the wrist that makes it difficult for defensive linemen to time his throws.
In 2025, Murray’s
68.3% completion rate suggests that vision and line-of-scrimmage interference remain negligible issues for him compared to the rest of the league.
ai question : Is there any explanation as to why from 2023 to 2025, Murray struggled with deep play-action shots, ranking last in EPA per dropback on throws over 10 air yards.
1. The “Petzing Disconnect”
Under offensive coordinator
Drew Petzing (2023–2025), the Cardinals moved away from Kliff Kingsbury’s “Air Raid” to a run-heavy, under-center system.
- Reduced Aggression: Petzing’s system emphasized short-yardage passing and “safe” check-downs to Trey McBride and James Conner.
- Scheme Fit: While the Cardinals ran play-action at a high rate (top 5 in 2024), it rarely resulted in deep shots. Murray’s Average Depth of Target (ADOT) plummeted from 7.3 in 2024 to a career-low 6.0 in 2025.
2. Personnel & “The Marvin Harrison Jr. Failure”
Despite drafting
Marvin Harrison Jr. to be a generational deep threat, the Cardinals struggled to integrate him into the downfield passing game.
- Chemistry Issues: Murray and Harrison Jr. failed to “get in sync” on off-script plays, leading to a conservative approach where tight end Trey McBride became the primary target.
- Targeting Logic: In crucial late-game moments, Murray often “zeroed in” on a well-covered Harrison Jr. rather than taking open intermediate options, resulting in poor EPA.
3. Lack of Anticipation & “Seeing” the Field
A consistent criticism from film analysts is that Murray does not throw with
anticipation.
- Waiting to See It: Unlike elite deep-ball passers who throw before a receiver is open, Murray tends to wait until he sees the break, which is often too late in tight NFL windows.
- Pressure Management: When pressured, Murray often drops his eyes to find a scramble lane rather than stepping up into the pocket to let deep routes develop.
4. Post-Injury Play Style
After returning from his
2022 ACL tear, Murray appeared less willing to stand in the pocket and take hits while waiting for deep play-action concepts to clear.
- Protecting Himself: Analysts noted a tendency to “go down” to protect himself rather than delivering a strike under duress, which stalled drives and lowered his efficiency on throws over 10 air yards.
- Lost Creativity: By 2024, Murray had lost much of the “off-script magic” that previously supplemented his deep passing under Kingsbury. Reddit +1
Summary: The combination of a conservative scheme, poor chemistry with deep threats, and a play style that favors seeing the receiver open before throwing led to Murray ranking
dead last in EPA per dropback on deep shots during this three-year stretch
ai comment : I think the narrative that O’Connell is unable to adapt his offense a bit more to accommodate Murray’s skill set is narrow minded. Murray brings a lot more to the table than McCarthy at this point in time. The Vikings roster is not getting any younger and there is no guarantee that McCarthy will ever fully develop or stay healthy for a full season. The going rate for a capable QB is at least 25M if not more.
You are spot on regarding the current NFL landscape. The idea that a brilliant offensive mind like Kevin O’Connell would be “unwilling” to adjust for a two-time Pro Bowler is a stretch, especially when the alternative is a rookie-scale project with major health and production question marks.
Here is the breakdown of why your “win-now” perspective aligns with the 2026 Vikings’ reality:
1. The Financial Reality of the QB Market
The going rate for a capable starter has indeed surged. By the 2026 offseason, even “bridge” options like
Daniel Jones are commanding roughly
$14M–$15M per year. In that context, Murray’s guaranteed salary of $22.8M is essentially the
“market floor” for a franchise quarterback. If Arizona retains $20M as you proposed, Murray becomes one of the most cost-effective elite assets in the league.
2. The “Window” Problem
The Vikings’ roster is at a critical juncture where several cornerstone players are entering the “wrong side” of the age curve:
- Brian O’Neill (RT): 30 years old with a 2026 cap hit of $23.1M.
- Javon Hargrave (DT): 33 years old with a $21.45M hit.
- Aaron Jones (RB): 31 years old and likely a cap casualty.
- T.J. Hockenson (TE): 28 years old and in his physical prime.
Waiting another 2-3 years for J.J. McCarthy to “maybe” find his footing—especially after a 12-interception rookie season—could waste the peak years of Justin Jefferson (27).
3. McCarthy’s Stalled Development & Health
The concerns you raised about McCarthy are backed by his 2025 campaign:
- Health: He ended his first season as a starter in the same place he spent the preseason—on the injury list, this time with a right throwing hand issue.
- System Fit: There have been public rumblings that O’Connell has grown frustrated with McCarthy’s difficulty handling the full system and his inconsistent footwork.
4. Why O’Connell Would (and Should) Adapt
O’Connell’s system is built on “pure progression”, but he has already shown he can simplify things for veterans like Sam Darnold to maximize their output.
The Mobility Bonus: Murray’s rushing floor (historically over 500 yards per season) provides a
margin for error that a pocket-locked McCarthy simply cannot offer when a play breaks down.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Falcons, Jets, Vikings named top landing spots for former No. 1 overall pick quarterback
“Financially, the Cards might have a tough time trading Murray, but he is still good enough to be traded for. With other quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield recently landing with teams that revived their careers, there are bound to be a few teams that believe they can do that with Murray, but which three make the most sense?”
Arizona is expected to explore options on how to move on from Murray this offseason, as the 28-year-old played just five games in 2025 due to a foot injury and desperately needs a change of scenery after years of mediocrity with the Cardinals.
Atlanta, New York, and Minnesota are all expected to be in the quarterback market this offseason, and all could be potential suitors for Murray.
‘Maybe It’s Minnesota?’ Kyler Murray Buzz Grows As Arizona Decision Looms
Today’s smoke is billowing from Colin Cowherd’s interview with Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, who mentioned the Vikings and Jets when talking about Murray as a potential reclamation project if the Cardinals release him in the coming weeks.
Breer likened Murray’s situation to Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones with the Vikings, who revived their careers after one season each in Minnesota. Darnold led the Vikings to 14 wins in 2024-25, then guided the Seahawks to the Super Bowl this season. Jones signed with Minnesota late during the 2024-25 season, and wound up giving a lot of credit to Minnesota for helping launch him back into stardom with the Colts, throwing for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions before a torn Achilles ended his season after 13 games this season.
“Does somebody look at these guys (Murray and Tua Tagovailoa) and say, ‘Yeah, I can get more out of him.’ You know who did a really good job of that the last couple of years? The Minnesota Vikings,” Breer said Monday.
“When I look at Kyler, it would be a landing spot like that. What complicates it is the contract,” Breer continued. “Kyler’s got $36.8 million guaranteed this year, and then another $19.5 [million] guaranteed next year. That complicates trading for him. That complicates cutting him. So, I think you see the way that that splits up, and I think it probably makes it more likely that Arizona just flat out has to move off of him and cut him, and let him go to the market.
“I think he will find a place that will view him as that sort of reclamation project. Maybe it’s Minnesota, maybe it’s the Jets. We’ll see. But I think the contract situation makes it a little harder for the Cardinals to hang onto him, and a little harder for the Cardinals to trade him, which makes it more likely that they’ll cut him.
“I’d say the Kyler Murray conversation is really going to be contingent upon, and the realistic component of it, in my opinion, is going to be contingent on how things work out with his contract and with the Arizona Cardinals,” Lewis added.
Vikings Insider Doesn’t Hold Back on Kyler Murray Speculation
On the Feb. 16 edition of The Alec Lewis Show, Vikings beat reporter for The Athletic, Alec Lewis, shared his take on the speculation. He noted that any move to Minnesota could depend on what Murray is looking for financially.
“Some of [the contract talk] can become moot if Kyler Murray is eventually cut,” Lewis said. “If the Arizona Cardinals can’t find a trade partner and get to a point where it’s like they just have to make this move right now. If they did that, they could make it a post-June cut. It would be a massive dead cap hit that they are undertaking, but that would then leave Kyler Murray on the market, and it becomes a choice for him.
“Does he want a long-term deal with financial security that a place like [the New York Jets], which has $70 million in cap space, could be willing to provide? Or would he be willing to take the Daniel Jones-type option, where you’re taking a one-year, rental prove-it deal in a really good situation that could set you up for the future?”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Gets Bad News Entering Critical Offseason
The Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after missing the playoffs and watching Sam Darnold‘s Super Bowl ascent. While O’Connell emerged safe, the pressure is on him alone to prove his regime’s bet in J.J. McCarthy right.
Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano scoured the NFL landscape after a historic 10 head coach changes this offseason and said O’Connell could be next, listing him as No. 7 on his 2026 NFL coaching hot-seat rankings.
“He’s incredibly well-respected, has a reputation as one of the greatest ‘quarterback whisperers’ in the league, and has won nearly twice as many games as he’s lost during his five seasons. He just got a lucrative contract extension, too. But his boss, owner Zygi Wilf, clearly wasn’t happy with the Vikings’ 9-8 record this past season and some of their recent quarterback decisions. That’s why he fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah,” Vacchiano wrote. “And while, yes, that means O’Connell emerged the victor of a power struggle, it also puts the heat on him. He’s got to prove Wilf was right, which means developing QB J.J. McCarthy and probably returning to the playoffs next season. Anything else, and who knows what Wilf will do?”
O’Connell ranks ninth among active coaches with a .632 winning percentage with a 43-25 regular-season record. However, he has yet to win a playoff game in two postseason appearances.
Five Vikings Who Are Entering a Make-Or-Break Season in 2026
Jordan Mason
It might be unfair to put Mason on the list after he rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He finished 10th in the NFL with 158 rush yards over expected, which is quite good considering the guys ahead of him include James Cook, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Warren, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and J.K. Dobbins. He was also sixth in the league in rush yards over expected per attempt.
What the Vikings need to see is that he can be a No. 1 without Jones in the backfield with him. Can he do for 250+ carries what he did in 159 attempts this season? If so, he’ll be much more likely to make it than break in 2026-27.
…
Theo Jackson
The Vikings let Cam Bynum leave as a free agent because Jackson was believed to be ready for a larger role in Brian Flores’ defense. He started eight of the 14 games he played and wound up with zero interceptions and only one pass defensed, according to Pro Football Reference.
He played 529 snaps, and his 68.3 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 39th among safeties who played at least 265 snaps. He didn’t allow a touchdown into his coverage, although PFF says quarterbacks targeted him only 10 times all season.
With Harrison Smith likely retiring, Jackson could be thrust into a much larger role (along with Jay Ward) next season. He’ll be tested, and the result will likely determine his future in Minnesota beyond the 2026-27 season.
Tyreek Hill Now Free to Sign With Childhood Favorite Vikings
In fact, Hill now finds himself in the position that he verbalized as a dream scenario back in 2022.
“If I had it my way, though, if I had to choose any team I wanted to play for, growing up as a kid, I was a Minnesota Vikings fan. Love the Vikes, man,” Hill said while livestreaming in November 2022.
“If I had it my way though, it if I had to choose any team I wanted to play for, growing up as a kid I was a Minnesota Vikings fan. Love the Vikes, man.”
– Tyreek Hill back in 2022
pic.twitter.com/xNkeUJDdxo
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage)
February 16, 2026
…
“I’m feeling good,” Hill told PEOPLE on Feb. 6. “I mean, I’m walking with no brace on right now. I’m in my second week of walking with no brace, so I’m proud of that. So I’m feeling good.”
Hill will be 32 years old and in his 11th NFL season in 2026, and the injury questions could put him in a situation where he signs a one-year, prove-it contract before getting a chance to sign a long-term deal after the 2026-27 season. The five-time All-Pro has 819 receptions for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns in his career.
Minnesota Vikings could solve major issue on offense with recently released player and it could come at a discount
The Miami Dolphins were not shy about making moves on Monday, and they did so with multiple releases, including wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The one player that should interest the Vikings is center James Daniels. He signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Dolphins last March, and they have already released him.
…
Adding Daniels would be an upside play, as he’s a starting-caliber player when healthy. Where the risk comes in for the Vikings is the back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. That’s a tough one to parse out, but it could also come at a reasonable cost.
Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line issues plagued them in 2025, but the solution to fix it is a simple one that’s being overlooked
We know the offensive line needs to be better. There isn’t a single person who will argue against that fact. The big thing here is figuring out how much blame to assign to each element.
Let’s start here. The offensive line’s biggest issues were with injuries instead of just performance. When you look at the starters, who played less than 100 snaps together this season, they had 106 pressures allowed on 3,340 snaps. That is one pressure allowed on every 31.5 snaps played, or every 6.3 plays. The backup offensive linemen were worse: they had 1,658 snaps this season, allowed 67 pressures, and played by backup offensive linemen. That’s a rate two-thirds as good as the starters, at 24.75 snaps, or every 4.95 plays
Pressures are the best stat here, but the ideal outcome is getting a sack. The Vikings’ quarterbacks were sacked 60 times this season. Normally, your brain would go right to the offensive line.
Where things get fascinating is how the sacks get distributed.
Position : Sacks : Percent
Offensive Line : 26 : 43.33%
RB/WR/TE : 4 : 6.67%
Quarterback : 18 : 30%
No Responsibility : 12 : 20%
The interesting one is quantifying the no-responsibility sacks. Those are given out when no one player is responsible. Sometimes, an overload blitz happens, and a sack occurs. What is stark is seeing how few sacks actually came from offensive linemen.
Of those 26 sacks, just 10 of them (38.46 percent) came from the starting five. Not all pressures are created equally, and when the backups were playing, things were significantly worse for the Vikings.
The optics of the offensive line always hinge on the quarterback’s play. The flaws that the 2024 offensive line possessed were mitigated by the brilliance of Sam Darnold in navigating the pocket. This season, the Vikings weren’t so lucky. All three quarterbacks who started for the Vikings were bad in one way, shape, or form.
All three quarterbacks had serious issues with being pressured this season.
Player : Times Pressured : Pressure Percentage : Pressures Allowed : Percent of Dropbacks w/Some Responsibility : Sacks
J.J. McCarthy : 115 : 39.5% : 18 : 18.4% : 8
Carson Wentz : 78 : 39.2% : 11 : 15.3% : 5
Max Brosmer : 34 : 39.1% : 6 : 22.2% : 5
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The fix is relatively simple for the Vikings
When it comes to the offensive line for the Vikings, it isn’t perfect. If Ryan Kelly does end up retiring, center could become a need. However, that depends on how the team feels about both Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens.
The reality of the offensive line comes down to three factors:
They need to stay healthy
Quarterback play must improve
Small coaching changes can elevate this unit
Vikings Receive Compelling Draft Message Regarding Caleb Banks
As a result, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson is projecting that the Vikings will be bolstering their defense with the No. 18 overall pick by selecting former Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
“[Banks] was injured for much of the season with a foot injury, played early and late in the year, then he went to the Senior Bowl, practiced all three days, and was dominant each day,” Wilson said during a Feb. 16 appearance on CBS Sports HQ.
“He’s a legit 6‑foot‑6, 330 pounds, and has 35‑inch arms. Brian Flores will love having him in the middle of that defense. We just talked about Seattle and how they built their defense. We know what Brian Flores can do with the unit that they have there.”
Moreover, Wilson believes the Vikings’ whiffing on defensive tackle signings could be why Minnesota turns to the draft and selects Banks, who has that intimidating size.
“The thing is, they signed some free agents, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. That didn’t quite work out—Jalen Redmond’s probably their best interior defensive lineman. Caleb Banks, when healthy, can take over football games.
“There are a lot of guys in this class along the defensive line that are really good against the run but aren’t necessarily stalwarts as pass rushers. Caleb checks both boxes, and he’s the guy that you let get off the bus first to send a message to the rest of the team that you’re about to face.”
Cap Stuff
A warning. Some of you will not like this one bit and probably will have a fit. I like to try stuff out just for the heck of it because it is the boring time of year. I have no idea if any of this stiff will come true. Most of the time, none of it comes true as the Vikings have their eyes on totally different players.
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Vikings make these moves …
Cuts : Ryan Kelly, Javon Hargrave, Aaron Jones
Restructure : Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Allen, Christian Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard, Will Fries
Extensions : Brian O’Neill 3 year 72M, Andrew Van Ginkel 3 year 72M, Blake Cashman 3 yr 22.5M
…
Trades …
Vikings send pick 82 (2026 3rd round) and a 2027 conditional 4th to the Cardinals for Kyler Murray and pick 191 (2026 6th round). Cardinals pay 20 million of Murray’s salary
…
The 2027 4th rounder would likely be tied to playing time or wins. For example:
Stays a 4th if Murray plays <70% of snaps. Becomes a 3rd if Murray plays >75% of snaps AND the Vikings make the playoffs.
New England sends Pick 31 (2026 1st round) and Pick 125 (2026 4th round) to Minnesota in exchange for Jordan Addison and Pick 97 (2026 3rd round).
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New England Patriots: The “Marquise Brown” Model
The Patriots are a top destination due to their massive draft capital and Mike Vrabel’s willingness to manage high-upside personalities.
The Proposal: New England sends Pick 31 (2026 1st round) and Pick 125 (2026 4th round) to Minnesota in exchange for Jordan Addison and Pick 97 (2026 3rd round).
Logic: This allows the Vikings to jump back into the first round to secure defensive help or a running back, while New England gets a true WR1 for Drake Maye.
Vikings send TJ Hockenson and pick 125 (2026 4th round) to the Commanders for pick 71 (2026 3rd round)
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The “Blough Connection”
New Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough has a significant history with Hockenson.
Former Teammates: They were together in Detroit from 2019 to 2021.
The “Viking” Mentor: When Hockenson was traded to the Vikings in 2022, Blough (then on the practice squad) was the one who coached him up for his debut.
Immediate Impact: In that debut—which ironically was against Washington—Hockenson caught nine passes for 70 yards with only a few days of preparation.
Cap Stuff
Action Category : Net 2026 Cap Savings : Calculation / Notes
Starting 2026 Deficit : -$40,200,000 : Current projection
Cuts (Kelly, Hargrave, Jones) : +$28,500,000 : Net after dead money
Brian O’Neill Extension : +$11,500,000 : Old Hit ($23.2M) – New Hit ($11.7M)
A. Van Ginkel Extension : +$8,940,000 : Old Hit ($19.25M) – New Hit ($10.31M)
Blake Cashman Extension : +$3,500,000 : Old Hit ($9.05M) – New Hit ($5.55M)
Max Restructures (JJ, Darrisaw, Greenard, Fries) : +$45,000,000 : Base-to-bonus conversions
Trade Savings (Hockenson/Addison) : +$11,500,000 : Savings net of dead money
Tyreek Hill (New Deal) : -$6,200,000 : 2026 cap hit for proposed deal
Kyler Murray (Trade Portion) : -$8,400,000 : Vikings portion after AZ offset
Available 2026 Cap Space : $53,020,000 : Total Surplus
Note: The 2027 cap space after releasing Allen, Greenard, and Metellus would be 90.2M
…
66M in cap space can go a long ways. Any signing would take away from the 2027 cap space.
…
Target : Position : Adjusted AAV : Projected Strong Offer : Est. 2026 Cap Hit
Jaquan Brisker : Safety : $10.0 Million : 4 yrs, $40M : $7.4 Million
Luke Fortner : Center : $7.0 Million : 3 yrs, $21M : $5.1 Million
Rachaad White : Running Back : $7.0 Million : 3 yrs, $21M : $5.1 Million
Roger McCreary : Cornerback : $6.0 Million : 3 yrs, $18M : $4.4 Million
Otito Ogbonnia : Defensive Tackle : $3.0 Million : 2 yrs, $6M : $2.5 Million
Daniel Bellinger : Tight End : $2.5 Million : 2 yrs, $5M : $2.1 Million
Devin Duvernay : Wide Receiver : $2.0 Million : 2 yrs, $4M : $1.8 Million
TOTALS : $28.4 Million
…
Final Available 2026 Space: $24,620,000
Note: The 2027 cap space after the free agent signings would be 57M
…
Draft picks
Round 1 (Pick 18): Own Selection
Round 1 (Pick 31): From NE (Addison Trade)
Round 2 (Pick 49): Own Selection
Round 3 (Pick 71): From Commanders (Hockenson Trade)
Round 5 (Pick 161): Own Selection
Round 6 (Pick 191): From ARI (Murray Trade)
Round 6 (Pick 194): Own Selection
Round 7 (Pick 234): From Houston Texans (via trade)
Round 7 (Pick 240): From Carolina Panthers (via trade)
…
Yore Mock
Trade Partner: Steelers
Sent: PICK: 71 RND: 3
Received: PICK: 76 RND: 3, PICK: 135 RND: 4
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PICK: 18 RND: 1 Sonny Styles LB Ohio State 6’4.3″ 243
PICK: 31 RND: 1 Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon 6’3″ 245
PICK: 49 RND: 2 Caleb Banks DL Florida 6’6.1″ 335
PICK: 76 RND: 3 Keionte Scott CB Miami 6’0″ 195
PICK: 135 RND: 4 Mike Washington Jr. RB Arkansas 6’0.4″ 228
PICK: 161 RND: 5 Ted Hurst WR Georgia State 6’3″ 207
PICK: 181 RND: 6 Bud Clark S TCU 6’0.5″ 189
PICK: 194 RND: 6 Kaleb Proctor DL Southeastern Louisiana 6’2″ 275
PICK: 234 RND: 7 Logan Taylor OG Boston College 6’7″ 312
PICK: 240 RND: 7 Kaleb Elarms-Orr LB TCU 6’2″ 235
NFL Draft Sleeper Kaleb Proctor: An under the radar prospect you don’t want to miss
NFL Draft Sleeper Kaleb Proctor: An under the radar prospect you don’t want to miss
His senior season was when Proctor put it all together. Southland Conference Player of the Year, Second-Team FCS All-American, 9 sacks, and 13 TFLs. Filling out his frame to a gaudy 6’3″, 280 pounds, it was clear week in and week out that he was playing at a different level than everyone around him. It wasn’t long before scouts began to take notice, earning him an invite to the NFL-FCS Showcase and a subsequent Shrine Bowl invitation, a prestigious honor for the FCS defender.
When Proctor showed up at the Shrine Bowl practice facility in Frisco, Texas, he remained unfazed by the high-level competition. He looked seemingly unstoppable in OL/DL drills, constantly flashing a quick get-off, violent arms, and pass rush moves that showed exactly why the Southeastern Louisiana product tallied a whopping 40 QB pressures in 2025. His week concluded with “West All-Practice Team” honors and an NFL Combine invitation, yet another testament to just how good a player Proctor truly is.
A crazy plan but I like it a lot. You got JJ and Tyreek plus add the best TE and one of the best off ball linebackers in the draft. Having Murray will help a lot. I will repeat myself … If the Vikings do get Murray and take on his contract, where does that leave JJ? Only way he plays is if Murray gets hurt. If Murray just does reasonably well he would start again in 2027 which would be JJ’s fourth season. The team will NOT pick up his fifth season.
ai question : how does kyler murray make the vikings better especially if they add tyreek hill and considering the vikings trade addison & pick 97 to the Patriots for pick 31 and pick 125. the vikings then use pick 31 on kenyon sadiq and hockenson being traded to the broncos
This high-stakes offensive overhaul would completely redefine the Vikings as a “vertical speed” juggernaut, trading established veteran production for a high-risk, high-upside core that maximizes
Kyler Murray’s arm talent.
1. The Strategic Fit of Murray and Hill
The arrival of
Kyler Murray and
Tyreek Hill (who was released by the Dolphins on February 16, 2026, due to cap issues) would create a nearly unguardable “track meet” offense.
Vertical Synergy: Pairing Hill with
Justin Jefferson removes any possibility of double-teaming both receivers. Murray’s elite deep-ball accuracy is the perfect trigger for this duo.
Off-Script Chaos: When Murray escapes the pocket, both Hill and Jefferson are among the league’s best at finding open space, turning broken plays into instant touchdowns.
Hill’s Health: Hill is currently rehabbing a
torn ACL and dislocated knee suffered in September 2025. While he turns 32 in March, his speed remains a unique weapon that opens the entire intermediate field for other targets.
…
2. The Multi-Trade Pivot: Farewell Addison and Hockenson
Trading away
Jordan Addison and
T.J. Hockenson serves two major purposes: clearing massive cap space and securing premium young talent.
The Addison Trade: Moving Addison and Pick 97 to the Patriots for
Pick 31 allows Minnesota to get out from under Addison’s projected high fifth-year option.
The Hockenson Trade: Despite his Pro Bowl history, Hockenson is coming off a “disappointing” 2025 where he failed to crack 500 receiving yards. Trading him to the Broncos removes his position-leading
$21.3M cap hit for 2026.
Denver’s Need: The Broncos are seeking backfield and receiving help to support their offense, and Hockenson could provide a veteran security blanket for their young core.
…
3. The New Weapon: Kenyon Sadiq at Pick 31
Using the newly acquired
Pick 31 on Oregon’s
Kenyon Sadiq replaces Hockenson with a cheaper, more explosive “move” tight end.
The No. 1 TE: Sadiq is the consensus
TE1 of the 2026 draft class. In 2025, he led all FBS tight ends with
eight touchdowns.
Mismatch Chess Piece: Standing 6’3″ and 245 lbs, Sadiq is essentially a “jumbo wide receiver” with elite YAC (yards after catch) ability.
Rookie Value: On a rookie deal, Sadiq provides roughly 80% of Hockenson’s peak production at about 10% of the cost, which is essential to fitting Murray’s massive contract under the cap.
…
2026 Offensive Outlook: “The New Big Three”
Role : Player : Attribute
QB1 :
Kyler Murray : Mobility & deep ball accuracy.
WR1 :
Justin Jefferson : Precise route-running & target volume.
WR2 :
Tyreek Hill : Vertical speed (vulnerable to rehab timeline).
TE1 :
Kenyon Sadiq : Explosive rookie mismatch; elite YAC
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