NFL Notebook: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Preview

Kevin O’Connell has had three good years as head coach in Minnesota, with a 27-17 regular season record. O’Connell has done this in spite of significant instability at quarterback. The Vikings made the decision to let Sam Darnold walk and go with J.J. McCarthy, in the hopes of building a long-term solution.

QB UNCERTAINTY COMES TO A HEAD

McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan in 2023 and as the first-round pick the following spring was supposed to be the future last season. But a training camp injury knocked him out for the year and veteran journeyman Sam Darnold transformed into a star. Until the last two games.

Minnesota lost their chance at the #1 seed with a loss at Detroit in the regular season finale and then lost a week later to Los Angeles in the playoffs. The Vikings were hammered in both games, scoring a combined 18 points. Any momentum that might have existed for keeping Darnold disappeared, and McCarthy will get his chance.

AN ARSENAL OF WEAPONS

McCarthy will have weapons to work with. In fact, wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the weapon above all weapons in the NFL these days. Jefferson has played with a lot of quarterbacks over the last couple of years and continues to produce. He’s one of the rare receivers who seems to elevate a quarterback, whereas its normally the other way around. He makes the reliable catch underneath, and he makes the big play. And he’ll be the best friend to a developing McCarthy.

The Vikings have reliable targets to surround Jefferson with. Jordan Addison is a steady #2. T.J. Hockenson is a pretty good tight end. Jalen Nailor is intriguing in the slot. He averaged nearly 15 yards a catch in more limited playing time last year. He could be another big-play threat in McCarthy’s arsenal.

Aaron Jones came over from rival Green Bay and picked up where he left off as a productive running back. Jones ran for over 1,100 yards and did it at a solid 4.5 yards-per-attempt. McCarthy won’t have to carry this offense, and if he falters, Carson Wentz could easily end up as this year’s veteran reclamation project who makes good.

TOUGHENING UP THE TRENCHES

The Vikings smartly invested in their offensive line during the offseason, picking up two good additions from Indianapolis in the free agent market. Center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries join a unit that is already solid at the tackles, with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Minnesota then used their first-round draft choice on Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. There should be room for Jones to run and time for McCarthy to throw.

FLORES’ AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is renowned for his aggressive approach. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, the edge rushers in the 3-4 scheme, are Flores’ primary tools. Flores can comfortably turn his defense loose, confident in the ability of his corners, Byron Murphy Jr. and newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers to hold up in coverage. Free safety Harrison Smith isn’t the star he once was, but the 36-year-old is still a steadying presence in the secondary.

Where Minnesota has problems is on the defensive interior. They sought to shore this area up by signing Jaron Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Both players have good career track records, but both have struggled more recently. They need to return to form, or opponents will be able to chip away inside. Or worse, use more blockers to deal with the disruptive forces of Greenard and Van Ginkel on the edge.

OUTLOOK

Minnesota won 14 games last year, so on the surface, an Over/Under of 9.5 doesn’t look very promising. That’s the reality of going with an untested quarterback. As a result, I’d concur with this assessment. A 10-7 season sounds about right and 9-8 wouldn’t surprise me. In the bigger picture though, the Vikings are a team moving in the right direction.