NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 11: Byron Murphy Jr. #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after an interception against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game at Cesars Superdome on October 11, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Vikings have a bye this week as you all know. I believe the team always does self scouting and probably is looking for ways to improve the roster. The team has clearly had its fair share of injury already. Donovan Jackson and Josh Oliver being out for the season really stinks but the show must go on. Not having Mason for the last few weeks and having Addison miss the last game after Jefferson missed the previous two sure makes it difficult to build chemistry. It also makes it tough to self scout because you have yet to see your hoped for starting offensive unit even play one full game together. What can they scout? How not to get injured?

Obviously they will want to get the pre-snap penalties cleaned up. They will want to get Kyler deeper into the offense to that he will know the plays really well. I do not know what happens with a QB but I imagine he is just thinking of his progressions and maybe not intuitively knowing where the other receivers are on a given play. I am sure they know but do they really truly automatically and instinctively go to the next options quickly? Regardless of Kyler Murray staying here longer than this season, the team needs to have one QB in the system for at least 3 to 4 years. Is that too much to ask? Kyler did not see Jennings wide open for a TD and it is perplexing because the way he was throwing it, it seemed like an easy completion.

What did KOC say? Time on task right? That is what the offense needs the most. In fact, Kyler echoed that exact same phrase word-for-word after the Saints win. When he was asked why the offense finally looked sharper, he flat out said it came down to “time on task, getting more comfortable in this offense with Kevin.”

Self scouting the defense is tougher. A lot tougher. What can they possibly want to get better at? I would say pressures. The blitz rate and success has helped to mask the pressure from the interior. Maybe that is by design because of the youths? Either way, we need to up the ante and get even more out of the front.

With the trade deadline approaching, are there any moves that make sense? We all would love to get another interior lineman but they are hard to come by during the season due to injuries. They might be able to get a tight end from another team. Maybe? The Bengals and Rams come to mind. Running back is a popular choice but Mason should be returning after the bye. I am thinking Edge rusher.

How about this trade with the Chiefs …

Jauan Jennings plus a 2027 7th for Felix Anudike-Uzomah and a 2026 6th

The question is why would the Chiefs move on from FAU? Well, he was injured in 2025 and they did not pick up his fifth year option. He is a free agent next year just like Jennings. FAU has maybe been miscast in their scheme. Bringing him here and allowing him to stand up and rush the passer could be beneficial.

Another idea that could be already out there is a trade with the Dolphins …

A 2027 conditional 6th for Josh Uche.

… Uche is a free agent next year and the Dolphins are winless. They signed him to a minimum level deal and while they might want to keep him next year, it could prove tough if he sours on their environment. at the same time, he is playing well for them and opposite Chop Robinson. Having a starting spot and a likely massive increase in pay next year is reason for him to stay and for the Dolphins to not move him. I like this one but I doubt it gets done.

Are there any moves you can dream up?

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

NFL Power Rankings: 5-0 Start Helps Vikings Reach Top 5
https://www.vikings.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-undefeated-start-top-5

No. 7 (up 4 spots): Nick Shook – NFL.com

I know the Vikings have a truly special defense. I’d been wondering whether their offense would ever show up. We saw signs of it in the second half against the Saints, a stretch in which Kyler Murray dropped a pass over three defenders into Justin Jefferson’s bucket for a touchdown and led an attack that scored 17 points in the final two quarters. There are still plenty of kinks to work out, but Murray is beginning to look more comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s system.

…

No. 3 (up 3 spots): Kris Knox – Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings moved to 5-0 on Sunday, and for the first time this season, things seemed to be clicking in all phases.

Having Justin Jefferson back in the lineup was huge, and it helped Kyler Murray deliver his best performance as a Viking so far. Aaron Jones, Sr., returned from a first-quarter knee injury and ran for 113 yards, while Minnesota’s defense held the New Orleans Saints to a mere 142 total yards.

The Vikings defense has looked championship-caliber all season. If Murray and the offense can continue to make positive strides after next week’s bye, this team could remain undefeated for the foreseeable future.

…

No. 3 (no change): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

[The Vikings] just keep on winning with their defense. But the offense showed some life with Kyler Murray in the victory over the Saints.

…

No. 4 (up 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News

The Vikings are getting it done where it counts, even though they might not seem to be so clean from game to game. They are up to 10 takeaways in five games and now rank second in time of possession (33:37) after having the ball for almost 40 minutes vs. the Saints.

Kevin O’Connell on Evolution of Vikings Offense, Roster Depth Demonstrated Against Saints
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-oconnell-evolution-of-offense-roster-depth-against-saints

Aaron Jones, Sr., continued to be a warrior in the run game, and Kyler Murray “spit completions” all afternoon while extending plays with his legs.

“I do feel like we’re growing and we’re creating space in the run game. We’re running it at a high clip,” said O’Connell, noting the team’s ability “to impose our will late in the game.”

“It’s very positive,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to see the evolution of how we put it all together, the impact of Kyler throwing a bunch of completions. I think he’s [completed] 40 of his [past] 48 pass attempts. We’ve really seen him click into a comfort [level] playing the position — using his athleticism, being a factor with his legs and protecting himself while doing it.

“I’m excited about what’s coming for us offensively,” O’Connell added. “I’ve kind of envisioned it being like that from the beginning of the season, and we’ve been able to win football games as we progress, but ultimately to maximize who we want to be as a team, where our offense is going to be a big part of that.”

No 1. Mobility from Murray

Sunday’s game against the Saints felt a little “vintage Kyler Murray” in the number of ways he implemented his mobility.

O’Connell explained it’s “not an every-down thing, and we don’t really want to put parameters too much of ‘Here’s when you do it, here’s when you don’t.’ ” Having the ability to call on Murray’s athleticism, though, is hugely valuable.

“To me, it’s the fundamentals of it. It’s the progression,” O’Connell said. “Obviously some elite-level throws like the touchdown to Justin [Jefferson] and some other plays kind of off-schedule where he kept his eyes up and found some people. I thought the protection allowed for it.”

O’Connell tipped his cap to Murray for doing “an unbelievable job” escaping pressure in a few instances and keeping drives alive.

“The third-down conversions are huge,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to see different ways we can act...

Dailynorsemanrssindex

Message History

Delivery option(s)