Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Vikings have now played two preseason games, meaning those trying to make the roster or fight for playing time are running out of opportunities before the roster has to be cut from 90 players to 53.
On Saturday, the Vikings suffered their first defeat of the exhibition season, falling 13-3 in one of the uglier preseason games I’ve watched in my 30+ years following this team.
I know we haven’t seen really much at all from the starters yet, so everyone is holding back judgement. That’s fair. There’s a reason why these games don’t matter, and we all certainly expect things to look much different with Murray under center, come week one of the regular season.
WTF is going on with the Vikings offense?
But someone has to say it and it might as well be me… but between joint practices, the night practice from a couple weeks ago and these first two preseason games, the Vikings offense looks like a complete disaster, no matter which unit or quarterback is on the field.
Look, JJ McCarthy wasn’t good. We already went over that immediately after the game. But that article also featured Max Brosmer, who was even worse than McCarthy. At this point, there is no denying that both young quarterbacks seem to be regressing under Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage.
Every J.J. McCarthy dropback from preseason game #2 against the Ravens.
5/10, 81 yards, 1 sack, and a 19-yard completion negated by a holding call.
QB2 or QB3? pic.twitter.com/mrUSPRmMbv
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 22, 2026
On 4th and 3, Max Brosmer throws…about 3 feet over his target’s head. Preseason football! pic.twitter.com/Klsv4L3F33
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 22, 2026
Obviously, Brosmer is a UDFA quarterback and it’s plausible people (like me) expected too much out of the former Gopher. You could also (very easily) argue that McCarthy’s immaturity was going to doom him no matter where he landed in the 2024 Draft. But facts are facts and both kids look completely lost right now.
The hope is that I’m just experiencing a classic case of preseason panic. It’s quite possible that, three weeks from now, the Vikings will destroy the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13 and none of this will matter.
Can Kyler Murray save the day?
As long as Kyler Murray gets it and stays healthy, just like Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins once did, Minnesota’s offense will be fine, it’s defense will dominate and we’ll be talking Super Bowl homeboy, come January.
But what have we seen or heard out of TCO Performance Center so far during spring training that should make us feel confident in that future actually coming to fruition?
Because from most accounts, the struggles with Murray and the first team have been just as real as what we’ve watched unfold during the preseason, while they’re watching from the sideline.
“I have never seen a starting quarterback in the National Football League struggle with 7-on-7 as much as Kyler does.”
–@jzulgad on Kyler Murray’s struggles during 7-on-7 drills pic.twitter.com/nUTPpd7Yk6
— SKOR North – Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) August 20, 2026
Kyler Murray off the mark again. Seems like the Ravens kicking our ass out there. pic.twitter.com/Im6LzGRTuR
— RAP (@VocalVike) August 19, 2026
Still waiting for the MN Vikings’ revolutionary new rushing attack…
Now, we’ve been told that this running game is going to revolutionize the league and unlock some sort of hidden gear that we have yet to see since KOC took over back in 2022, and maybe they do.
But until then, outside of a few oohs and awes during practice (when running backs can’t be tackled to the ground), all we’ve seen is a Minnesota Vikings run game that is averaging less than four yards per carry through two games, for a total of 176 yards on the ground and zero touchdowns.
I can’t wait for the #Vikings run game in 2026.
(Via Vikings IG) https://t.co/tEj7fuX2sL pic.twitter.com/AbS22M5CJt
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 13, 2026
Related: MN Vikings Hold More Tryouts
As previously mentioned, the passing game has looked even worse, having yet to top 185 yards in either of their two preseason games. In total, the Minnesota Vikings have scored 16 points all preseason, and have yet to top 300 yards of total offense in either matchup.
Minnesota’s defense looks top tier, yet again. But as we learned last year, it won’t matter if the offense is still a mess.
Mentioned in this article:Baltimore Ravens J.J. McCarthy Kevin O’Connell NFL Preseason
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