The 5 True MVPs of the Vikings Season So Far
The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 season has featured a handful of players who have not panned out. But several performers have stood off the page, and propelled the team to a puncher’s chance at a playoff spot.
The five true MVPs of the Vikings’ season so far, spotlighting the players whose impact and consistency have driven Minnesota through the first half.
With the season halfway complete, here’s a glance at the hypothetical MVPs for the purple team.
Vikings MVPs in 2025 — Ranked from Bottom to Top
The Vikings players who deserve their flowers.
5. Brian O’Neill | RT
O’Neill fired up a poor game in Week 10 — maybe the worst of his career with penalties, missed blocks, and other gaffes. But that doesn’t mean his whole season has fallen by the wayside.
The longtime Viking remains one of the team’s top players, pulling down a 71.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. O’Neill has allowed just one sack this season and zero quarterback hits. Not bad.
He suffered a serious injury scare last month in Dublin, spraining his MCL. Many fans thought his season was toast that day based on how Minnesota’s injury woes had trended to that point. But O’Neill returned a couple of games laster, aided by a timely bye week.
4. Jonathan Greenard | OLB
Greenard will miss Sunday’s game against the Bears with a shoulder injury, but there’s optimism that he will return for Week 12 at Lambeau Field.
The veteran outside linebacker is also the butt of “almost sack” jokes, as Greenard has not finished many of his quarterback pressures by dragging various quarterbacks to the turf.
Still, he ranks fifth in Stops, sixth in total tackles, ninth in quarterback hurries, 14th in QB hits, and 15th in total pressures among EDGE defenders. That production is not easy to find.
Soon, Greenard will start logging “almost sacks” into sacks, and all will be right in the world. Without Greenard on Sunday, Minnesota will presumably lean into 2024 1st-Rounder Dallas Turner in relief.
3. Christian Darrisaw | LT
Darrisaw didn’t quite grab the No. 2 spot for one reason: he’s missed about a quarter of the campaign due to injury. By season’s end, he’ll probably check in at No. 2 on this very list.
He’s also experiencing a down year by PFF’s standards, but to the eye test, Darrisaw remains one of the NFL’s best left tackles. Some claim he’s the most vital player on the Vikings’ entire roster, even more important than No. 1 on this list.
Darrisaw still hasn’t allowed a sack this season, which is pretty damn fantastic. That’s 247 pass-blocking snaps and zero sacks surrendered. That gets the man placement on the purple MVP list.
2. Jalen Redmond | DT
Redmond tallied sacks out of the gate at an EDGE rusher’s pace but cooled off in recent games. Among defensive tackles, Redmond ranks fifth in stops, eighth in batted passes, ninth in total tackles, 13th in sacks, 17th in QB hits, and 19th in pressures. Across the board, Redmond is a Top 20 defensive tackle, and that may be too critical. Not bad for a player most of the world has never heard of.
Redmond has a 72.3 PFF mark entering Week 11. Nineteenth-best in the world among DTs. He continues to be one of Minnesota’s brightest shining spots, particularly because of his unsung emergence.
Pro Football Newsroom‘s James Larsen wrote about Redmond this week: “Out of 202 Defensive Tackles to take snaps in the NFL this year, PFF has Jalen ranked #29th, with a strong 72.3 Defensive Grade. His 20 Defensive Stops has him tied for 5th in the NFL, while his 22 QB pressures has him within the top 20 players within that category.”
“Had it not been for the UFL giving Jalen Redmond the opportunity to display his talent on a national stage, the Vikings probably would’ve never come calling. Now, Redmond is raising the UFL flag high in the NFL, making a name for spring football athletes across the country. He’s one of the many positive storylines to come out of the UFL – and he certainly won’t be the last. You can stay up to date on all UFL to NFL movement with our official tracker.”
1. Justin Jefferson | WR
Jefferson is on pace for about 100 receptions and 1,300 yards, which seems like a quiet, downtrodden season for him. He even posted the worst game of his career last weekend against Baltimore, showcasing drops and an aloof attitude that he later called frustration.
Still, Jefferson is Minnesota’s best player and owns that distinction by a mile. Many expect a blast-off performance from Jefferson this Sunday, as his club desperately needs a dub to remain in the postseason chase and the playmaker rarely struggles in back-to-back weeks, if at all.
Jefferson will remain the Vikings’ best player on these lists indefinitely. It’s just the way it is. He’s that good.
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