Kyler Murray - Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray - Minnesota Vikings
The 2-0 Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their week 3 game Sunday afternoon against the 0-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After taking down division rivals Green Bay and Chicago to open the season, the Vikings’ next four games are against teams outside the NFC North (@TB, MIA, @NO, IND) who, collectively, have less wins than the Vikings (1-7).
Kyler Murray clears concussion protocol
More importantly than their current standing in the NFC Playoff Picture, though, is the health of QB1 Kyler Murray. And as expected, we got good news on that front Monday, when the 29-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick cleared concussion protocol.
Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/n3YiEY4oBl
— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) September 21, 2026
Related: MN Vikings Playoff Odds Skyrocketing
Backup QB Carson Wentz has done just enough these past two weeks, to push Minnesota into victory lane. Now, it’s time to thank him for his service while he hands the ball back to Kyler Murray.
Wentz has played about seven of the MN Vikings’ eight quarters so far this season, managing a very pedestrian 59% completion rate while throwing for 276 yards and 3 touchdowns, all of which came week 1 vs the Packers.
There were some questions over whether or not Wentz might steal the starting job away from Murray, while he was going through protocol, but those questions were answered over the past two weeks.
The Vikings need more from QB1
Against Green Bay, and especially Chicago, it again became clear that — if the Vikings are going to break head coach Kevin O’Connell’s playoff losing streak, come January — they’ll need a more competent quarterback under center than the former NDSU superstar.
This week, we will find out if Kyler Murray is that QB. Looking at his NFL career so far, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be. This is a top talent who’s thrown for over 20,000 yards, 121 touchdowns and 61 interceptions, in his 88 games played.
Even last year, in the five games he played, Murray showed flashes of greatness, throwing for 962 yards (68.3% CMP), 6 TDs and only 3 INT — in what is widely considered the worst season of his career, where he essentially was benched by the Arizona Cardinals.
For anyone worried Kyler Murray has lost his play making ability (either with mobility or arm talent) these 2025 highlights should change your mind. pic.twitter.com/sQ6p9QmdGP
— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) March 6, 2026
Related: Vikings RB Laughs Off Brutal Hit; Questions No-Call
The last time he was on the field for a full season (2024), K1 tossed for 3851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If that’s the guy we get in 2026, the MN Vikings are undoubtedly a playoff team, if they stay relatively healthy.
Unfortunately, we can’t be sure what version of Kyler the Vikings are getting just yet, since his debut ended nearly immediately after it got started in week 1. Six days from now, though, we get to hit the reset button.