MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2024 Record - 14-3-0
Head Coach - Kevin O' Connell
2024 Offensive Rank - (12th overall) - 347 YPG; Passing - 238 YPG (6th), Rushing - 109 YPG (19th); SCORING - 25.4 PPG (9th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (16th overall) - 335 YPG; Passing - 242 YPG (28th), Rushing - 93 YPG (2nd); SCORING - 19.5 PPG (5th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Will Fries (OL), Jonathan Allen (DL), Ryan Kelly (OL), Eric Wilson (LB), Carson Wentz (QB), Adam Thielen (WR)
Key Losses for 2025 - Sam Darnold (QB), Cam Akers (RB), Jonathan Bullard (DL), Patrick Jones (LB), Stephon Gilmore (DB), Cam Bynum (DB), Cam Robinson (OL), Jerry Tillery (DL)
OFFENSE - Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will get his chance to be the starting quarterback this season after plans for that changed last year when he suffered a season ending knee injury in the pre-season. Gone is last year's starter Sam Darnold (now with Seattle). Veteran journeymen quarterbacks Brett Rypien and Carson Wentz are on hand to provide depth for McCarthy. The top running back will be Aaron Jones, who ran for 1,138 yards (4.5 YPC) and five touchdowns last season. Justin Jefferson (103 receptions, 1,533 yards, ten TD) is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and he will team with Jordan Addison (63, 875, nine TD) once he serves a three-game suspension handed down from the league. Adam Thielen (48 receptions, 615 yards, five TD) is back with the Vikings as well and T.J. Hockenson is the tight end and he caught 41 passes for 455 yards last year. On hand to help out the depth chart this year are rookie Tai Felton (Maryland), Jalen Nailor (28, 414, six TD) and TE Josh Oliver.
DEFENSE - The Vikings are led up front by nose tackle Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Allen (three sacks with Washington) and Javon Hargrave, who was injured for most of the 2024 season. Ends Jonathan Harris and Jalen Redmond are also stalwarts in the trenches. The linebackers include Blake Cashman (team high 111 tackles), Ivan Pace, Jr., Eric Wilson, Andrew Van Ginkel (11 1/2 sacks) and Jonathan Greenard, who had 12 sacks. In the defensive backfield, it will be Josh Metellus (103 tackles) and Harrison Smith (three interceptions) at safety along with cornerbacks Byron Murphy, Jr. (six INT) and Isaiah Rodgers, who played with Philadelphia last season. The Vikings picked off 24 passes a year ago, which led the NFL and also had 49 sacks (4th overall) while finishing third in the league with a plus-12 in the turnover category.
OUTLOOK - Head Coach Kevin O' Connell is considered a master game planner with the offense and he will be looking for McCarthy to keep the offense moving along after a big season from Darnold prior to a quick halt in the season finale and early exit in the NFC playoffs last year. If McCarthy shows he can be the guy to run a balanced offense with a solid running back (Aaron Jones) and two good wideouts in Jefferson and Addison, then the Vikings should be a solid team this season.
On defense, there is some turnover in players and whether or not Minnesota can be the ball hawking team they were a year ago remains to be seen. The Vikings were like a bend, but not break defense in 2024 that gave up some big plays and yardage against the pass, but they made up for that with a league high 24 interceptions and allowed just 19.5 points per game, which showed a good red zone defensive effort. Playing in the NFC North, the Vikings face very tough opposition against Detroit and Green Bay (both were playoff teams the last two years) and even the basement dwelling Chicago Bears look to be improved for the 2025 season, so it won't be easy. This team can make the playoffs once again, but a lot will depend on the play of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Also, a tough four-game stretch in the middle of the season follows a two-game stay over in Europe and that will likely be a key to how the Vikings do this season.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at Chicago
Week Two - vs. Atlanta
Week Three - vs. Cincinnati
Week Four - vs. Pittsburgh (Dublin, Ireland)
Week Five - vs. Cleveland (London, England)
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - vs. Philadelphia
Week Eight - at L.A. Chargers
Week Nine - at Detroit
Week Ten - vs. Baltimore
Week Eleven - vs. Chicago
Week Twelve - at Green Bay
Week Thirteen - at Seattle
Week Fourteen - vs. Washington
Week Fifteen - at Dallas
Week Sixteen - at N.Y. Giants
Week Seventeen - vs. Detroit
Week Eighteen - vs. Green Bay
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