5 Vikings Players Facing Almighty Pivotal Seasons
The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season begins Sunday, and according to oddsmakers, the club is expected to win about six or seven games.
5 Vikings Players Facing Almighty Pivotal Seasons
A transformational year is on deck as the club bides time to get J.J. McCarthy into the lineup next season. In the meantime, fans hope that Sam Darnold is the real deal for a reclamation project.
So, these Vikings players face almighty pivotal seasons for their career outlook(s). They’re listed in ascending order (No. 1 = most to lose or gain).
5. Jerry Tillery (DT)
A former 1st-Round draft pick, Tillery has this season to show the Vikings front office and the NFL world that he’s not a bust. In theory, if he plays poorly in Minnesota this season, it might be his final as a bonafide starter.
Remember, though — Tillery played well in 2023, registering a a 67.7 PFF grade for this troubles with the Las Vegas Raiders. Generally speaking, it’s now or never for Tillery to prove if he’s a starter or reservist defensive lineman.
4. Akayleb Evans (CB)
Some fans tossed Akayleb Evans on the roster bubble this summer — probably because he was benched a couple of times in 2023. He played a lot during the preseason, which isn’t usually a good sign for a veteran.
But Evans made the cut and will hold a reserve role behind Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore. He’ll inevitably get playing time and must prove he can return to a starter’s production level. Otherwise, he could be tunneling toward career-long backup duty.
3. Jalen Nailor (WR)
Nailor had a tasty opportunity in 2023 to make a name for himself during Justin Jefferson’s absence. But he was often injured and ended up with just three receptions.
He now enters a pivotal Year No. 3 and has another golden opportunity to grab the WR3 job by the neck and make it his own. His health may be the only item separating him from stardom.
If Nailor delivers another quiet season, he likely won’t last in the NFL too long.
2. Ed Ingram (RG)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed at minicamp that his team would feature a threeway training camp battle at guard between Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, and Dalton Risner. Brandel won the left guard job, Ingram on the right side, and Risner was injured.
The 2024 campaign will solidify Ingram’s role and reputation as a starter — or he’ll slide into a reservist role. It’s all on the line for the LSU alumnus this season, especially with Risner due back around Week 5 or so. At that point, if Ingram is struggling, Risner could take his job.
1. Sam Darnold (QB)
For QB1 accolades, 2024 is for the marbles in Darnold-speak. With a sweet season under O’Connell’s tutelage, he can convince the Vikings to let him stick around longer than most expect, or Darnold can audition for his next QB1 gig.
On the other hand, if Darnold plays poorly, this will be it for QB1 handouts. For example, if Darnold delivers 18 touchdowns to 16 interceptions or something of the sort while starting most of this season, no team will take the QB1 plunge again. Darnold would encounter career-long QB2 status.
Those are the stakes, and they’re unbelievably high for Darnold personally. A starter somewhere after 2024 or a highly sought-after QB2.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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