Optimism vs. Realism Is Vikings’ Fans Only Escape Right Now
It can be difficult to support your favorite team at times. They all have down moments that make us shake our heads. As a Vikings fan, I have been asked how I can reconcile my fandom with the history of heartbreak and the team’s lack of Super Bowl trophies.
With a regular season countdown on, Tony Schultz examines optimism versus reality for the 2025 Vikings.
Because I can love my team while always being realistic, we know there will be rebuilding years and players who will experience growing pains after coming out of college. You have to weather the tough times and realize your team’s success doesn’t control your life.
The upcoming season is one full of questions about how the team will do. Yes, it all seems to come down to the play of J.J. McCarthy, according to almost everyone with a computer or a title at a major sports news outlet.
I find myself balancing on the edge of excitement and dread as the season approaches, just a few months away, with everyone waiting to see if McCarthy is the real deal or a bust waiting to emerge. This may be the most questioned season in Vikings history, with such a big question mark hanging over the heads of fans when it comes to the quarterback.
Analyzing Vikings-Themed Optimism v. Reality on the Calendar Dead Zone
Add in that superstar Justin Jefferson continues to rise, and the front office spent on new offensive and defensive linemen in a “win now” level of execution. There’s nothing wrong with getting excited, but you have to temper that with the realization that things might not mesh the way we’re all hoping.
I checked the latest episode of The Alec Lewis Show on YouTube, where he spoke with KFAN producer Eric Nordquist. He produces the 9 to Noon show hosted by the Voice of the Vikings, Paul Allen. Nordquist is like me in that he doesn’t let the trees block his view of the forest when it comes to his favorite squad.
He’s not negative in all his evaluations, but he has no problem hitting the brakes when someone ignores the possible pitfalls that occur for any team in a season, or that even the best players can’t be viewed as saviors.
In the episode, Nordquist was asked by Lewis what his view of McCarthy is and what he expects to see from him in his inaugural season with the team.
“I tend to think of things in ways of how it can be really good. I want to see good third-down conversions.”
Referring to his first game of the season, “He’s not getting it easy with a nooner on Sunday. He’s going right into a prime-time division matchup against Chicago. We’re going to see him in the bright lights right away. I anticipate that you’re going to see mistakes.”
It’s a tough situation for any young player to have the searing lights of Monday Night Football be the first ones you stand under in the regular season, adding in that it’s in hostile territory. While we all hope he tears it up in his first game, we know that Soldier Field has had some weird games for Vikings fans.
He continued, “And I guess if we’re just kind of projecting out, I expect double digit interceptions from J.J. McCarthy this year and it’s not just because of something that you saw at minicamp or OTAs. I just mean, I think you’re going to see a guy that, despite being in the second year, is still ultimately going to be learning the timing, he’s going to get excited, and probably try to dagger something. And he’s gonna find himself over the course the 17 weeks of the season. … I anticipate double digit interceptions, but I also anticipate 3 to 4 or 5 rushing touchdowns this year.”
“That’s a healthy way to look at it,” added Lewis. “The willingness to admit or be OK with double-digit interceptions. I thought your mention of third down was exceptional! Because that was an area in college at Michigan that if you looked at his career at Michigan and you looked at it optimistically one of the ways you would evaluate it was when the game got tough, when the leverage increased when he had to make throws in meaningful situations that’s where he really produced. … That’s where you really have to play quarterback.”
I agree with those evaluations. We didn’t get to see McCarthy throw a lot in college, but when he had to, he made the throws requisite of a quarterback in control of his situation. Let’s face it, this isn’t new information. This has been the sticking point for him since he first announced his intention to enter the draft last year and was selected 10th overall. Was he really worth it? As close as we are to the season, we’re still so far away that the question hangs over us like the recent rainclouds the last few weeks.
Quarterback isn’t the only question mark on the Vikings’ list of offseason changes. The defense also had a bit of a tune-up with the addition of Isaiah Rodgers at cornerback and Javon Hargrave and Johnathan Allen on the defensive line. While we’re acquiring the extra firepower the team has needed for years, it comes with the knowledge that both players are coming off injuries that kept them off the field for most of last year.
The Vikings were the heaviest blitzing team last year. While it worked out pretty well overall, you can eventually see it catch up with you in the scenario of living and dying by it. When it comes to the defensive line, Norquist felt that the Vikings got just what they needed.
“The trickle effect of the cliches of ‘starting in the trenches’ is massive. If (Brian) Flores is able to get the same or better production without having to send an extra guy all the time, improving coverage, and really supporting and protecting what may or may not be a better, or somewhat undermanned secondary at times … but let’s affect the quarterback’s feet.”
“Let’s make him uncomfortable right in front of his face and make him move, and that could even potentially add to the sack numbers of Greenard, Van Ginkel,… Dallas Turner year 2. … Having waves, potentially having depth in that spot. Harrison Phillips … I need that snap count to come down and get production within that number. … I love the upgrades that we’ve put in place!”
It was refreshing to see Jalen Redmond come in and spark the pass rush from time to time. However, Hargrave and Allen can hold up more consistently at both the run and pass rushing if they stay healthy. I’ve said the same thing about Harrison Phillips as well, in that he was the best lineman we had getting upfield.
Honestly, that isn’t his forte, but the additions could help him get more opportunities to harass quarterbacks and take some reps off him to stay strong throughout contests. What about the questions at cornerback and safety? Safety Theo Jackson replaces Cam Bynum, and Harrison Smith is coming to the end of a great career, while Rodgers is a new corner that hasn’t yet been tested as a full-time starter for the team.
The answer may not be in your faith in the players, but instead in Flores and his coaching acumen. “I have an immense amount of trust in Brian Flores. I’m not compelled to say, ‘We need Jalen Ramsey.” If you add one of those guys (free agent cornerbacks), it’ll make sense.
I think Brian Flores has earned immense faith that whoever he decides to put into this mix will figure out how to get it done with them. I think we actually may have the best lineup since he’s come to Minnesota from a personnel standpoint. … This is going to be a damn good defense again.”
Lewis added to the statement, “At the bare minimum with this group, you got younger legs you can (have more man coverage).”
We think that the radio stars and writers are somehow different from regular fans, but they aren’t. Nordquist is also pining for updates from camp, as he was “doom scrolling” on a rainy day and started watching videos of Rondale Moore to see how he can fit in on the team, especially if Jordan Addison is out for any amount of time.
We all fall into that hole this time of year because there’s nothing to do right now other than wait. Just so you can keep track, we’re 73 days away from having any answers, but not all of them.
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