David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Kyler Murray Mystery Maybe Decided Prior to Training Camp

Posted on May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 by David Shama

There is no off-season for Vikings fans. Speculation swirls now on who the Vikings starting quarterback will be in 2026. And when will that be known.

J.J. McCarthy’s disappointing 2025 season and the acquisition in March of Kyler Murray has caused a buzz from Vikings fans. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is on record as wanting competition for the starting job, but it seems reasonable that before Murray signed on as a free agent he was assured of a sold (or better than that) opportunity to be No.1.

After all, the 28-year-old Murray is a seven seasons NFL veteran, while the 23-year-old McCarthy’s pro experience totals one season. Although the Cardinals gave up on Murray, his resume and profile instill optimism among those who want to feel it. In 2019 he was the Pro Football Offensive Rookie of the Year. Twice in his career he was a Pro Bowler.

As the Vikings go through meetings and on field practices prior to the start of training camp (expected in late July) it’s certain O’Connell will learn a lot about what he has in Murray who has underwhelmed as a pro with inconsistent play and injuries.

The coach will see how quickly and effectively his new quarterback picks up the complex Viking offense. That’s no small adjustment for a quarterback who drew past criticism for his study habits with the Cardinals.

Murray will also need to learn how to play more under center than in Arizona where he was in the shotgun formation. O’Connell likes to use his quarterback under center at times to promote play-action as part of his West Coast offense.

That’s not to suggest the head coach and quarterback whisperer won’t tailor some of the offense around his new player. Listed at 5-10 and 207 pounds, Murray has quickness of foot and running ability that can bedevil opponents. Murray will need to show he can become adept with whatever new offensive wrinkles are put in place.

Before training camp there will be minicamp next month where O’Connell will evaluate how the former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback performs with his receivers. That list of pass catchers, of course, includes superstar WR Justin Jefferson who seems to have the head coach’s “ear.”

Then, too, there will be an awareness by O’Connell and his coaches about how Murray is fitting in with his teammates. Does he have rapport with them? Is he emerging as a team leader?

It will be much clearer to the Vikings staff, even before spring turns to summer, what they have in Murray who has a career passing rating of 92.2 which is in the average range. Four times in his career he has thrown for over 3,500 yards. In 2,941 passing attempts he has totaled 121 TD passes with 60 interceptions.

O’Connell may well have a good handle in the next few weeks whether Murray will be his guy and build on his stats and resume in 2026.

Worth Noting

Anthony Edwards after his Timberwolves lost their playoff series in six games to the Spurs: “I mean, I just tip my hat to them. They were just a better team.”

In the 139-109 loss last night to the Spurs at Target Center, Edwards scored a team-high 24 points and had three steals. The 24-year-old’s 17 career playoff games with 20-plus points and 2-plus steals are the fifth most in NBA Playoff history by a player before the age of 25.

The Spurs had a 60-29 rebounding advantage in the blowout win.

Despite losing an overtime series ending game on Wednesday night, Wild fans can be elated about the team’s future. Minnesota lost a 3-1 lead with less than four minutes remaining in regulation against the Avs who went on to win 4-3 in OT in Game 5 of their Stanley Cup second round playoff match up.

Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizove — Kirill Kaprizov

The Wild’s roster is the most talented in franchise history. A quality center and better defensive depth are needed but there’s a lot to like including rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt, and a pair of superstars in forward Kirill Kaprizov and defenseman Quinn Hughes (who ownership is determined to re-sign). This team is among the best in the NHL and a championship window is in place for several years.

The Wild lost to a team that is likely the best in the NHL. A Minnesota nemesis was Avs superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon. He scored the tying goal sending the game into overtime and it was a shot most mortals can’t make.

The Wild can enjoy advancing to the second round for the first time since 2015, defeating a Stars team that is outstanding and delivering a competitive series with the Avs.

Look for the University of Minnesota, including athletic director Mark Coyle and head football coach P.J. Fleck, to make a reasonable and fair decision regarding Drake Lindsey after things are sorted out with the starting quarterback’s reported recent arrest in Arkansas for underage drinking and possessing fake identification. Lindsey, BTW, turns 21 on August 5.

FOX 9 sports reporter and anchor Dawn Mitchell will have a feature on Minnesota sports icon Dick Jonckowski Tuesday with the segment scheduled to air about 10:15 p.m.

Ross Bernstein, the Minnesota-based sports author and nationally sought public speaker, announced good news on LinkedIn earlier this week. He recently had his last chemotherapy treatment and is upbeat about not having a cancer recurrence. He’s been through a 10-month ordeal after doctors discovered tennis ball size tumors in his colon and liver. In college he wanted to play for the hockey Gophers, but when that didn’t work, he became the team’s mascot, Goldy Gopher.

The Capital Club breakfast group will hear about “The Booming Business of Golf” on Wednesday, May 27 at Mendakota Country Club. The sport is experiencing a resurgence locally and nationally. Golf experts Laura Frick, Championship Director KMPG Women’s PGA Championship, Jon Mays, Executive Director Minnesota Golf Association; and Jennifer Hines, Assistant Tournament Director 3M Open, will discuss the trend. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Longtime Creative Charters owner Steve Erban has been flying Golden Gophers fans to games for decades. He’s more than impressed with Niko Medved, who took over as men’s basketball coach about 14 months ago. He’s predicting 14 Minnesota wins on the 20-game regular season schedule for 2026-2027!

The company that started in 1993 will offer its first fan trip to see the football Gophers play Washington in Seattle on September 26. The trip has a lot to offer including a three-hour gameday “Sailgate” on the Spirit of Seattle, with the boat docking near Husky Stadium. The Gophers and Huskies haven’t played each other since 1977.

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Wolves Anthony Edwards Shows His Grit as Playoff Hero

Posted on May 12, 2026May 12, 2026 by David Shama

Tied at 2-2 the Timberwolves and Spurs resume their best of seven games second round playoff series tonight in San Antonio. The Wolves pulled even in the series Sunday night in Minneapolis when uber talented and gritty Anthony Edwards scored 16 fourth quarter points to lead a closing minutes 114-109 win in Game 4.

Edwards scored a game-high 36 points, but about two weeks prior no one would have predicted such heroics. On April 25 in the opening playoff series against the Nuggets, he suffered an ugly left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. Edwards was in severe pain when he needed two individuals to help him hobble to the locker room, and it appeared his team might not see him for a long stretch.

Worry warts might have been thinking it might even be next season to see Edwards, who this spring has also been plagued by a right knee issue. The Wolves managed to win their last two games against the Nuggets without him and close out the series 4-2. Still, everyone knew the Wolves needed Edwards for a deep playoff run and the more optimistic timetable had him returning to game action after the second round started.

Instead, he was back for Game 1 against the Spurs in San Antonio on May 4. He played limited minutes (25) but was a key in Minnesota’s opening 104-102 win.

Edwards isn’t fully healthy, but he’s played in all the games against the Spurs, sometimes resting on the bench with large ice bags on his knee. He’s scored over 30 points in the last two games and totaled 81 minutes on the floor.

A limited “Ant” is much better than no “Ant.” His resolve to compete is elite and appreciated by observers who have been around him.

Dr. Robby Sikka is a former executive with the Timberwolves who led innovations in player health. He told Dan Barreiro on KFAN last week that Edwards has the awareness and commitment to take care of his body, even praising the amount of sleep the former Georgia player gets.

The doctor compared Edwards’ competitive fire with former Wolves superstar Kevin Garnett, who was known for his ferocious play. Sikka went further with his Edwards superlatives saying the 24-year-old has the freakish athleticism of former Viking legend Randy Moss and the charisma of the late Kirby Puckett, the ex-Twin and Cooperstown Hall of Famer.

“When he went down with that injury…unfortunately it looked like an injury that was going to keep him out for a long time,” Fred Hoiberg told Sports Headliners. “The fact that he got back as soon as he did I think just… shows…his toughness and his character. As a Wolves alum, it’s certainly something that we can be proud of just with the way that he approaches and plays the game.”

Hoiberg, the former Timberwolf guard and executive, is now head coach at the University of Nebraska. His son Jack works in the video department for the Spurs. So, Hoiberg has been closely following the series with the Wolves and was in attendance for Games 3 and 4 in Minneapolis.

“Oh, I think he’s one of the most talented players in the league,” Hoiberg said Sunday night about Edwards. “His athleticism, his ability to shoot, his ability to play one-on-one. He’s one of the most unique players in the league right now.”

Edwards reveled in his Game 1 return that surprised the basketball world. He scored 11 points in the closing period, after reportedly screaming at the Spurs bench early in the game that: “I’m back.”

Veteran Wolves’ guard Mike Conley said no one expected “Ant” to play. But Edwards did and he thought his presence was calming for his teammates.

Hobbled or not, limited in explosiveness because of his knees, Edwards’ availability is certainly reassuring for head coach Chris Finch who saw his star come up big Sunday night despite so much attention from Spurs’ defenders including frequent double teams.

“Oh, it was awesome, it was special,” Finch said. “This is what he loves, this is what he lives for, you know. Not just big games, big moments and…I thought for the most part, when he wasn’t doubled, you know, he got to his stuff quick and clean. Just kind of figured out how to get separation and that was just all that he needed.”

Timberwolves Anthony Edwards & coach Chris Finch — Edwards, Finch photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves have advanced to the Western Conference Finals the last two years led by the young shooting guard whose potential hints at even better days to come. To make it three straight the Wolves will have to get by the Spurs and 22-year-old ultra talented 7-4 center Victor Wembanyama.

Wemby was ejected early in the second quarter in Sunday night’s loss for tossing a startling elbow to the chin of the Wolves’ Naz Reid. His team couldn’t win without him, just like the Wolves are limited without Edwards.

The rest of the series figures to be a war, and “Ant” is battle-tested.

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Don’t Bet Against John McKay as Vikings Next General Manager

Posted on May 10, 2026May 10, 2026 by David Shama

It won’t be long until Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf hire a general manager. Don’t be surprised if it’s Rams assistant GM John McKay.

McKay, reportedly 36, checks a lot of boxes for the job. Despite his young age, he has an impressive 10 years of experience with the Rams including previous positions as director of pro personnel and assistant director of scouting.

McKay has evaluated college players for the draft, scouted opposing teams, and evaluated rosters of all NFL teams prior to free agency. Failure in the college draft haunted the Vikings in recent years led by former GM Kwesi-Adofo Mensah who was fired in January.

McKay comes from an innovative organization led by GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay. The front office excels in “outside-the-box” thinking. The Rams, for example, have drawn praise for their roster construction and salary cap management. The Rams won the Super Bowl in 2022 and in the 2026 playoffs lost a close NFC Conference title game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Mensah reportedly had communication and relationship problems with the Vikings. His analytics-heavy and non-traditional football decision making approach may well have contributed to those reports.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell image by David Shama — Kevin O’Connell

McKay doesn’t fit that profile and clearly has been a collaborative colleague based on his rise to prominence in the organization. He and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell are reportedly close friends. The two worked together when KOC was with the Rams during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Their friendship could be a point of distinction in the selection process as the Wilfs contemplate a hire. The Wilfs clearly believe in O’Connell, who in his four years so far had two superlative seasons of 13-4 and 14-3. Their head coach is a quarterback whisperer and a likable leader who has created a strong culture with the Vikings.

O’Connell is 40, four years older than McKay. The Wilfs could ponder the advantage of having two young leaders for decades to come.

McKay presumably is intrigued by the Vikings job. The opportunity to work with a trusted friend in O’Connell could be huge. The roster has flaws, but this is not a rebuild, with multiple prominent players in place led by superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Not to be dismissed either is the track record of ownership. The Wilfs have historically shown a willingness to spend money on the roster and facilities, including the franchise’s headquarters in Eagan. They have also shown a commitment to patience and loyalty.

Rick Spielman, the predecessor to Adofo-Mensah, spoke about his experience in a statement after he was dismissed in 2022 after 16 years with the organization. “… I want to thank Zygi & Mark Wilf and the entire Wilf family for believing in me and consistently providing the resources for us to be successful as a football operations staff. It is not common in the NFL to be in a position for this long, which goes to show how this ownership group believes in stability and supports their leaders.”

Rob Brzezinski is the interim GM and has been with the franchise for 27 years. He’s a candidate for the permanent job but it’s fair to wonder if the Wilfs wanted to promote him why are they doing a search? And with a search firm leading the way, TurnkeyZRG.

Worth Noting

Brock Faber scored a goal and had two assists last night in the Wild’s 5-1 win over the Avalanche. The defenseman’s production was vital as the Wild, aided also by the return of goalie Jesper Wallstedt, pulled closer to the Avs in the best of seven games playoff series, now trailing 2-1.

Wallstedt had 35 saves, playing against perhaps the NHL’s best team. Wallstedt showed a lot of emotion and after the game Faber, talking to TNT, spoke light heartedly about his teammate noting “he’s pretty normal for a goalie.”

The game was in St. Paul and Faber wasn’t complaining about not being in Denver where the first two games were played. Faber described playing in the Mile High City as “like breathing through a straw.”

Tony Oliva experienced min-strokes last year. The stroke issue included hospitalization but now the 87-year-old Twins legend is in much better health. “I am feeling pretty good,” he told Sports Headliners recently.

Oliva exercises at a suburban Minneapolis health club a few times per week. He is also attending Twins games.

The club has been much maligned this season, but Oliva sees developing talent and likes the coaching staff and manager Derek Shelton. “I believe that we’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” said Oliva who turns 88 in July.

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