The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback, and while that did seem to be widely expected, it is official now, so the Vikings can move forward and give Murray as many reps with the starters as possible before the season.
And this is a team that could make some noise, as the Vikings managed to win 9 games last year with a slate of starting QBs that combined to throw 18 touchdown passes and a whopping 21 interceptions. There is every reason to believe that Murray being just average would be enough to get the Vikings another win or two and into the playoffs.
It really isn't hard to see this team turning into a playoff squad in 2026. Let's dive into some fresh NFC playoff predictions after the Vikings named their starter.
Predicting the NFC Playoffs following Minnesota Vikings major QB news
7. Minnesota Vikings
I have wrestled with the idea of throwing the Vikings into the playoffs for a while now. Part of me wants to keep them out, but this team finished with a winning record last year with some of the worst QB play in the league! Murray isn't going to turn into an MVP candidate or anything, but he's historically been a productive, reliable player.
While Murray does have a ceiling and may finish the year as the 14th-best QB in the NFL, that would be a significant improvement from what the Vikings had in 2025. They can get into the playoffs as the seventh seed.
6. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears need to get better play from their defense in 2025, but they're already dealing with secondary injuries, as Coby Bryant could miss virtually all of the season. I don't believe the Bears have the best roster or QB in the division right now, and I also highly doubt another 11-6 season would be enough to win the NFC North again, as it usually takes 12 wins or more to capture that title. Chicago takes a small step back in 2026.
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