Adam New’s Predictions for the 2025 Vikings
It’s the time of year when we make predictions. Heading into the start of a new season, predictions are usually optimistic, and there’s no reason not to lean that way with Kevin O’Connell’s record over the last three seasons as the Minnesota Vikings head coach.
Adam New lays out his bold predictions for the Vikings’ 2025 season, including expectations for Kevin O’Connell, JJ McCarthy, Jordan Addison, and more.
Last year, I made four predictions for the Vikings’ season. I batted at .500 correctly, calling a career year for Sam Darnold and a significant increase in the team’s interceptions total, which jumped from 11 in 2023 to 24 in 2024—more than double. I missed on Justin Jefferson having his biggest receiving yards season to date and Dallas Turner leading rookies in sacks. With one preseason left to play, these are my predictions for the 2025 Vikings.
Kevin O’Connell Wins First Playoff Game as Head Coach
O’Connell has had an excellent start to life as a head coach in the NFL, which culminated in a coach of the year award last season. His regular-season win percentage of 0.642 is the fifth-highest among current head coaches. The blemish on his record is a lack of playoff wins from two attempts, with two defeats in the wild-card round. Firstly, a bitterly disappointing home loss to the New York Giants in 2022, and most recently, a loss on the road in Los Angeles against the Rams last season.
O’Connell needs to find the formula for postseason success, and while I’m not suggesting the Vikings are going to go on a run and win the Super Bowl. I believe this will be the year Coach O’Connell secures his first playoff win, marking the third time lucky in the wild card round. This will be the next significant step in the Vikings’ evolution.
J.J. McCarthy Makes the Pro Bowl
All eyes are on J.J. McCarthy this season, with the suggestion that if McCarthy is at least average, then Minnesota has a roster that can make a serious challenge this year. The pressure is on the Vikings QB to deliver in his first season. Ideally, McCarthy would be coming into this season more prepared, having been more involved in his rookie season, but a knee injury during the preseason last year prevented that.
O’Connell and his team have prepared McCarthy as thoroughly as possible, and with the supporting cast around him, he has every opportunity to succeed. A solid season in a successful team will give McCarthy an excellent chance of making the Pro Bowl, especially in the NFC, which has a weaker group of QBs than their AFC counterparts.
Donovan Jackson Makes the All-Rookie Team
Priority number one this offseason for the Vikings was to strengthen the interior offensive line. Significant additions in free agency came first, and then Minnesota drafted Donovan Jackson in the first round to play left guard. The early signs are promising with Jackson looking good during training camp and the preseason. If he can take that into the regular season, then he has a great chance to make this year’s All-Rookie team.
His main competition will likely come in the form of Grey Zable, a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, Jonah Savaiinaea, a second-round pick by the Miami Dolphins, and Dylan Fairchild, a third-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. The first guard selected in the draft was Tyler Booker at 12th overall, but he is set to play on the right side. As is the Detroit Lions’ second-round pick, Tate Ratledge. Should Jackson continue to build on the promise he’s shown so far, he will have every chance of attaining this accolade.
Jordan Addison Breaks 1,000 Receiving Yards
Despite missing the first three games through suspension, the connection shown between McCarthy and Addison throughout training camp and the preseason has me excited. Aided by Jefferson being sidelined and Addison being the number one receiver, the duo has built an excellent rapport. If not for the suspension, Addison breaking the 1000-receiving yards barrier for the first time would be a no-brainer.
Having just 14 games to do it in makes it more difficult, especially in a team that has to feed Jefferson, Hockenson, and Jones as well. I believe he can do it, and if he can keep up his record of 10 touchdowns per season on top of that, then Addison should finally get the national recognition that his talent deserves. He would be a WR1 on many teams in this league, and not be so overlooked.
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