Additionally, it's hard to contend that Minnesota is not the most peculiar of the 12 due to its premier coaching staff and nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball — two areas that should benefit from new General Manager Nolan Teasley's championship-winning experience and collaborative roster strategies.
There is an all-important decision to make, however, and Edholm pegged the team 8th for one obvious reason, the ongoing competition between its incumbent starting QB and its notable free-agent signing.
Edholm wrote the following:
The Vikings are an extremely difficult team to gauge in terms of championship readiness because of the unsettled nature of the quarterback position, both short and long term. Kyler Murray has arrived to push J.J. McCarthy, and for all we know, that competition could be good for both in advancing their careers.
Good enough to yield the ultimate prize, though? That's the question that fogs up Edholm's mirrors in Minnesota. He noted Murray doesn't have an inspiring track record in the postseason (0-1); at least, not yet. And, McCarthy is lacking in the experience category in general, with 10 appearances in two seasons.
Still, there's hope that the 65-year-old franchise that appeared in four of the first 11 Super Bowls can win the ultimate prize.
Edholm summarized them:
The Vikings have a talented coach in Kevin O'Connell, one of the best players in the game in Justin Jefferson and a first-rate defense led by the excellent Brian Flores. There are some redeemable qualities about this team, which closed last season with five straight wins. Winning a Super Bowl this season — while competing in one of the tougher divisions — feels like a stretch until we receive more clarity at QB.