The P/PTSD Perspective: JJM v. Kyler Judgment, Ugly Game, and a Running Back Trade

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: October 3rd, 2026

1) J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray Draw Judgments from Former NFL Head Coach: Apparently, the piece caught a gust of wind. Most now know that Mr. McCarthy has been shipped out. Some will know that I view the deal as being a poor one for the Minnesota Vikings.

J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws during first-half action against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. On Dec. 14, 2025, McCarthy continued his first season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback while facing another playoff contender on the road. The young passer remained one of the franchise’s most closely watched players. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.

2) Ugly Won’t Always Be Good Enough for the Vikings: Exactly right. At some point, the polish does need to arrive. When (if?) Murray fully figure things out, the Vikings need to remember the hard-earned lessons of what went into these three victories. The best teams can win pretty and win ugly. Be capable of both.

3) The Vikings Need to Trade for a Running Back: Very possible. Do note, though, that there’s already a plan for more running back help. The Week 6 bye is going to be a natural reset for the team and then Week 7 will see Jordan Mason return. Is that going to be enough?

Aaron Jones Sr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Lions. — Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. celebrated after scoring a first-quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium, giving Minnesota an early Christmas Day spark. On December 25, 2025, in Minneapolis, Jones marked the score as the Vikings tried to build momentum in a holiday NFC North matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

4) Vikings Trade J.J. McCarthy to Giants for a 5th: Been saying it plenty and will say it again: this is a bad move for the Minnesota Vikings. That being said, GM Nolan Teasley knows far, far more about ball than I do, so we’ll see how things go.

5) Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ Next Franchise QB: The skipper hasn’t been perfect. To be sure, there have been several strong moments, but Kevin O’Connell needs to continue proving himself even as he works through his fifth season with the Vikings.

NFL: Dublin Game-Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers — Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reacts in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.