The Vikings Kick Off 8 Weeks from Today. Here’s What to Know.

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy.

The Minnesota Vikings hope to improve their 7-10 record a season ago, a campaign undone by an injury to quarterback Kirk Cousins, who later left for the Atlanta Falcons in March.

Kevin O’Connell’s team travels to New Jersey for a date with the New York Giants in Week 1 on September 8th.

The Vikings Kick Off 8 Weeks from Today. Here’s What to Know.

And while the club will still conduct a training camp and preseason, these are six big items to know if you’re just returning to football after a few months off. The items are ranked in ascending order of importance.

6. Full Coaching Continuity for First Time Since 2015-2016

Vikings
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The Vikings’ 2024 season will be the first time since 2015-2016 that they’ve rolled into a year with the same head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator in consecutive seasons. So, about 8-9 years since full continuity.

The quarterback will be new, however.

5. The Roster Was Flipped on Its Head

ESPN Has Frightening
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

These players from the 2023 roster joined new teams:

  • Hakeem Adeniji (OT)
  • Kirk Cousins (QB)
  • Marcus Davenport (OLB)
  • Joshua Dobbs (QB)
  • Troy Dye (LB)
  • Jordan Hicks (LB)
  • Danielle Hunter (OLB)
  • Greg Joseph (K)
  • Dean Lowry (DT)
  • Alexander Mattison (RB)
  • K.J. Osborn (WR)
  • Austin Schlottmann (C)
  • T.J. Smith (DT)
  • Khyiris Tonga (DT)
  • Oli Udoh (OT)
  • D.J. Wonnum (OLB)

These 2023 Vikings remain free agents:

  • Anthony Barr (LB)
  • Coy Cronk (OT)
  • Sheldon Day (DT)
  • William Kwenkeu (LB)
  • Chris Reed (OG)
  • Nick Vigil (LB)
  • Joejuan Williams (CB)

These players joined the team via free agency:

  • Blake Cashman (ILB)
  • Sam Darnold (QB)
  • Dan Feeney (OG)
  • A.J. Green III (CB)
  • Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
  • Shaquill Griffin (CB)
  • Kamu Grugier-Hill (ILB)
  • Aaron Jones (RB)
  • Jalen Redmond (DT)
  • Parker Romo (K)
  • Trent Sherfield (WR)
  • Robert Tonyan (TE)
  • Jerry Tillery (DT)
  • Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
  • Seth Vernon (P)
  • Jihad Ward (OLB)
  • Jonah Williams (DL)

And then between the NFL drafted and undrafted free agency, Minnesota welcomed about 25 rookies.

It’s a new era.

4. Unbeatable When Turnovers Don’t Ruin Everything

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

To make it fast and straightforward, here’s the stat:

Vikings’ Record under Kevin O’Connell,
Breaking Even or Winning Turnover Battle:

17-0

Vikings’ Record under Kevin O’Connell,
Losing Turnover Battle:

3-14

Under Kevin O’Connell, the purple team is unbeatable when turnovers are minimal. Plain and simple. Remember the stat.

3. The 2 Lingering Injuries

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings have two main injuries to monitor: T.J. Hockenson (torn ACL) and Andrew Van Ginkel (Lisfranc).

Hockenson tore his ACL last December after a dirty hit by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph. He’ll likely miss the start of the season. On Van Ginkel, a newcomer to the Vikings, his Lisfranc recovery is progressing, but that injury is notoriously a bit tricky.

Both will be fine in the long run, but fans may need patience.

2. A Revamped Defense per Personnel

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Green Bay Packers tackled Dennis Kelly (79) provides pass protection from Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during their preseason game Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Houston Texans beat the Green Bay Packers 26-7. Packers15 22. © Milwaukee Journal SentinelMARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah added new defenders this offseason: Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, Shaquill Griffin, and Jerry Tillery. While Brian Flores is still in charge, the personnel is totally refreshed.

The blitz-heavy style will stay the same, but Minnesota’s defense may not be entirely recognizable.

1. Quarterback Uncertainty

Controversy
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports.

For the first time since 2014, the Vikings will enter a season where nobody knows what to expect from the quarterback(s). Some believe Sam Darnold can find total career rejuvenation in Minnesota. We shall see. The new guy, J.J. McCarthy, will eventually get a stab at QB1, although the timetable is unclear.

Anything regarding the quarterback is just a big mystery right now. Kirk Cousins prevented that for six seasons, but it’s a brave new world in the Twin Cities.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.