The Minnesota Vikings’ season ended in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, losing in one-and-done fashion after a sweet 14-3 regular season.
8 Bold Predictions for the Vikings Offseason
So, the offseason has arrived, and we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to develop a bold prediction for the next few months. There were the responses
1. A Huge Splash at WR3
Prediction Maker: Adam New
The Vikings make a splash with a big-name WR3 in free agency. Other areas are in greater need, but with a lot of cap flexibility, they make the surprise move for a big-name WR. Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin, and even Stefon Diggs would be names to look out for.
2. One iOL Will Return
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
One of the three starting interior offensive linemen will be returning. You hate it, we hate it, and KOC hates it, but it’s likely to happen. After being bullied and pushed around in back-to-back playoff games, the interior line has become an eyesore for KOC’s offense. Drastic changes are needed upfront this offseason; I’m not sold on a full reset of the interior.
3. Harrison Smith Returns for Season No. 14
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
Brian Flores won’t land a head coaching gig during this carousel, and Harrison Smith will return for a final season accordingly.
He sure sounded like a dude about to retire after the Round 1 playoff loss, but the raw emotion will burn off, and Smith will be back one more time, thanks to Flores’ presence.
4. No 1st-Round Draft Pick
Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt
The Minnesota Vikings have traded the majority of their 2025 draft picks in recent years. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will trade his top pick (24th overall) for multiple draft choices to recapture some capital, but none of them will be in the first round.
5. Garrett Bradbury Stays
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
Vikings will keep Garrett Bradbury but will have two new guards next to him. Bradbury continues to be a liability, but they will use their cap to add better pieces next to him.
6. Week 1 QB Didn’t Take a Snap for 2024 Vikings
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings’ Week 1 Quarterback in 2025 didn’t take a snap for the team this season (including the preseason). Daniel Jones returns, or a veteran bridge comes in and starts for a week or two before J.J. McCarthy takes over.
7. T.J. Hockenson Traded
Prediction Maker: Brevan Bane
Trading Hockenson away this offseason in his age-28 year instead of next year when he’s age 29 and pushing 30 saves Minnesota $21m in cap space in 2026 and $23m in 2027 instead of the only $9m savings in 2026 with $23m in savings in 2027 if traded next offseason. His contract was designed to have an out, so they could use it here, suffer minimally financially in 2025, and open up a ton of money as they continue to shape the franchise’s future.
t8. Sam Darnold Franchise Tagged-and-Traded
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
Minnesota franchise tag Sam Darnold and then trade him for a Day 2 selection (either a 2nd or 3rd). The key for MIN’s tag-and-trade effort is to keep Darnold in the loop, asking the QB for insight about where he wants to go. So, a franchise tag for a high pick involves the passer going somewhere he wants to go.
t8. Sam Darnold Franchise Tagged-and-Traded
Prediction Maker: Henrique Gucciardi
The Vikings will franchise tag QB Sam Darnold and trade him and a 5th-Round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their 2nd-Round selection. They will end up with four top-100 selections in the Draft
t8. Sam Darnold Franchise Tagged-and-Traded
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
The Vikings franchise tag Sam Darnold and traded him for a top-40 pick. This helps supplement their draft on paper while allowing them to trade down with said pick to add more.
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 MIN 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.