Kyler Murray and renewed hope in Minnesota

Hello from blistering Eagan, Minnesota. You know the drill. Every time we visit these Minnesota Vikings, I’ve got to sit down with fellow Substacker Matthew Coller of Purple Insider.

Coller takes the lead on our latest pod conversation above.

Kevin O’Connell may be conducting a “quarterback competition” between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy but it doesn’t take too much detective skill to see that starting the vet Murray is optimal. This team spent more cash than anyone in 2025. They’ve got arguably the best non-QB in the sport (Justin Jefferson), the best defensive coordinator in the sport (Brian Flores) and a core eager to win in the present. The Wilfs are not interested in rebuilds.

Can Murray, the former No. 1 pick, find a little magic this season? If he does — and the Vikings contend — he’ll earn a big pay day.

You know, like Sam Darnold.

The quarterback odyssey is different up north.

On the pod, we examine Murray’s upside in this offense, how the Vikings stack up in the NFC North and why this 2026 season could go (very, very) well or (very, very) bad for the Vikings. New GM Nolan Teasley should be able to pivot either direction into this year’s deadline.

Video is above. You can also access this episode at our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

I’ll have more reporting from our trip to the Midwest in the future.

Thanks, all.

Miss our 1 on 1 with Josh Allen? That feature is available right here for paid subscribers to Go Long.

Also, Ray Davis opens up on his ambitions. He wants a role on offense.

Be on the lookout for our next Friday Feature soon, as well as another episode of “Real Football” with Jim Monos.

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