MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 01: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 23-22. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings went 14-3 in 2024 in a great season led by breakout quarterback Sam Darnold, who was signed in free agency. The Vikings made the playoffs but lost to the Rams in the wild-card round, losing 27-9. The team’s season was still a success despite not being initially predicted to make the playoffs. Head coach Kevin O’Connell won coach of the year after winning the most games in a season since 1998.
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The Vikings went into the offseason with one huge issue, which was the quarterback position. The Vikings would end up letting Darnold walk in free agency and go with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who they drafted 10th overall in 2023 but missed all of 2024 with a knee injury. They signed several players like defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, guard Will Fries, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, wide receiver Rondale Moore, center Ryan Kelly and cornerback Jeff Okudah. The Vikings also traded for running back Jordan Mason from the 49ers to pair up with starting running back Aaron Jones. The Vikings lost several key players, including safety Cam Bynum, tackle Cam Robinson, and linebacker Patrick Jones.
The Vikings went into the draft with the 24th overall pick and selected offensive lineman Donovan Jackson out of Ohio State in the first round. Their draft class also included wide receiver Tai Felton, defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, linebackers Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Minnesota also traded for quarterback Sam Howell from the Seahawks during the draft, giving up the 142nd overall pick and the 172nd pick.
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Minnesota will have some early adjustments to make at the beginning of the season with a new quarterback. Still, it will have to figure it out quickly, having the seventh most challenging schedule in the NFL, according to Fox Sports. The Vikings will face the Bears in week one in their first game with McCarthy starting. The Vikings will also play in Ireland and England this season, facing the Steelers and Browns in back-to-back weeks. The Vikings’ key matchups will be against the Lions, Packers, Ravens, and Eagles, all of whom made the playoffs last season.
Minnesota opens the season with +2800 odds of winning its first Super Bowl in 2025 and with +1300 odds of winning the NFC Championship. They also opened as +1.5 odds underdogs against the Bears on the road in week one.
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