With seven days to go before the Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 regular season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium, here are seven things for Packers fans to know about Kevin O'Connell's team entering 2026:
Unlike last season, the Packers won't be facing J.J. McCarthy or Max Brosmer in the season opener. The Vikings are turning a new page at quarterback, starting former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray to open the 2026 season. Murray is 0-2 as a starter in his career against the Packers. At his best, Murray is a playmaker at quarterback who can extend plays or create explosive gains with his legs. But Murray hasn't led a team to a winning record as a starter since 2021, and his career passer rating is 92.2. Last season, Murray played in only five games, and he hasn't appeared in a regular season game since Oct. 5 of 2025. Can he provide a higher baseline of play at quarterback in Minnesota, and is he more than just another stopgap?
Kevin O'Connell on Kyler Murray: "I think he's demonstrated what he's capable of, both the experience he has playing at a high level in this league, but also his experience now of coming in here being challenged. And I think he's shown enough to really project with the right prerequisite now of work for a starter leading into a camp that we can get the rhythm, the timing, we can get the mastery of our system and this year's system, regardless of what we've done in previous years, what we're going to look like, how we're going to play. There's different things and nuances that we're going to fit to what our players, Kyler included, do the best. And in my opinion, he's got the skill set and the abilities, not only just from a standpoint of accuracy, but his ability to affect the game with his athleticism."
A bit of a surprise before Week 1: Harrison Smith is coming out of retirement to re-join the Vikings for a 15th NFL season. A versatile veteran who knows Brian Flores' system inside and out, Smith provides an experienced veteran who can get everyone on the same page pre-snap and play from multiple alignments post-snap. While he wasn't in Minnesota for training camp, it's likely Smith will be ready to contribute right away in Week 1. The Packers will have to wait another year to face the post-Smith Vikings.
The Vikings traded away top pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, leaving a hole on the edge of Brian Flores' defense. He was a menacing rusher who made the Pro Bowl in 2024, but Greenard dealt with lingering injuries in 2025 and is now playing for the Eagles. Who will take over his role? Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, is now expected to be the go-to pass-rusher in Minnesota. Expect to see plenty of battles between Turner and 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan next Sunday. Last season, Turner produced 8.0 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Is he ready for a breakout season in Year 3? Andrew Van Ginkel is another productive player on the edge, and the Vikings also added veteran Kyle Van Noy to t
Unlike last season, the Packers won't be facing J.J. McCarthy or Max Brosmer in the season opener. The Vikings are turning a new page at quarterback, starting former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray to open the 2026 season. Murray is 0-2 as a starter in his career against the Packers. At his best, Murray is a playmaker at quarterback who can extend plays or create explosive gains with his legs. But Murray hasn't led a team to a winning record as a starter since 2021, and his career passer rating is 92.2. Last season, Murray played in only five games, and he hasn't appeared in a regular season game since Oct. 5 of 2025. Can he provide a higher baseline of play at quarterback in Minnesota, and is he more than just another stopgap?
Kevin O'Connell on Kyler Murray: "I think he's demonstrated what he's capable of, both the experience he has playing at a high level in this league, but also his experience now of coming in here being challenged. And I think he's shown enough to really project with the right prerequisite now of work for a starter leading into a camp that we can get the rhythm, the timing, we can get the mastery of our system and this year's system, regardless of what we've done in previous years, what we're going to look like, how we're going to play. There's different things and nuances that we're going to fit to what our players, Kyler included, do the best. And in my opinion, he's got the skill set and the abilities, not only just from a standpoint of accuracy, but his ability to affect the game with his athleticism."
A bit of a surprise before Week 1: Harrison Smith is coming out of retirement to re-join the Vikings for a 15th NFL season. A versatile veteran who knows Brian Flores' system inside and out, Smith provides an experienced veteran who can get everyone on the same page pre-snap and play from multiple alignments post-snap. While he wasn't in Minnesota for training camp, it's likely Smith will be ready to contribute right away in Week 1. The Packers will have to wait another year to face the post-Smith Vikings.
The Vikings traded away top pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, leaving a hole on the edge of Brian Flores' defense. He was a menacing rusher who made the Pro Bowl in 2024, but Greenard dealt with lingering injuries in 2025 and is now playing for the Eagles. Who will take over his role? Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, is now expected to be the go-to pass-rusher in Minnesota. Expect to see plenty of battles between Turner and 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan next Sunday. Last season, Turner produced 8.0 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Is he ready for a breakout season in Year 3? Andrew Van Ginkel is another productive player on the edge, and the Vikings also added veteran Kyle Van Noy to t
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