3 Key Vikings on Offense vs. Packers

The Minnesota Vikings start the 2026 season with a home game against their division rival Green Bay Packers. A mix of familiar and new faces will take the field in purple on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

3 Key Vikings on Offense vs. Packers

I am picking three Vikings on offense who I think can play a particularly key role in the Vikings winning this game. Of course, anyone on the roster could have a big day and be the difference (while you would expect Justin Jefferson always to be key). However, these are three guys on offense who I think will be important to how this game plays out.

Kyler Murray

Minnesota’s 2025 season was completely derailed by substandard quarterback play from multiple QBs. The Vikings’ answer for that problem was to sign Kyler Murray in free agency. He’s a QB who should bring accurate passing as well as the athleticism to go off structure and make plays with both his arms and legs. Murray will be the center of attention on Sunday as onlookers will look to make a snap judgment as to whether he is the man who can make this Vikings team a contender – or at least playoff hopefuls. 

He can lead his team to a win if he can throw for 300+ yards, multiple passing touchdowns, and showcase some of that athleticism he is known for. If so, the excitement will start early. Conversely, if he has a quiet or bad game the knives will be out for a player who often draws criticism for not trying hard enough. Murray’s career has faltered after a bright start and he represents a cheap gamble, costing Minnesota just $1.3 million for the season. Both parties need it to work and a good start will be vital. 

Blake Brandel

I’m not convinced that converting Blake Brandel to the full-time starting center was a wise idea. We get the first look at what that will look like in Week 1 where Brandel draws a favorable matchup to start the season. Without the injured Micah Parsons, Green Bay’s defensive line is not one of the league’s more formidable. Rookie nose tackle Chris McClellan will often line up opposite Brandel and he is a good size at 323 pounds, but Brandel needs to use his experience to get the better of him.

Devonte Wyatt will also be looking to disrupt things down the middle. A healthy Wyatt is a good interior pass rusher but his 2025 season was hindered by knee and ankle injuries. The Vikings need Brandel to pass this test as there will be sterner tests to come. If he can’t hold his own here there will be problems in Minnesota with no alternative on the roster worth pinning your hopes on. 

Jordan Mason

It’s become a yearly discussion since Kevin O’Connell became the head coach in Minnesota, but his offense needs to establish a more dominant run game. There have been times when the rushing attack has been good, at other times it has been bad, but all too often it has been overlooked/abandoned. Dominating on the ground can set the tone for an offense and the man to do that for Minnesota is Jordan Mason. This year there should at a minimum be an equal share of carries between Mason and Aaron Jones with Jones entering the twilight of his career.

For me, Mason, who led the team with six touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season should lead the ground attack. His limitations as a pass catcher mean there is still plenty of room for Jones in the offense. However, in Week 1, I want to see the Vikings make a statement with their run game and a lot of that should fall on the shoulders of Mason.

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