Dustin Baker’s Spiciest Vikings Takes for 2025
Monday Night Football is the site of the party for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, taking on the divisional rival Chicago Bears.
Dustin Baker delivers his spiciest Vikings predictions for 2025, laying out bold takes and sharp opinions to get on record before the regular season.
The team is expected to win around nine or 10 games, according to sportsbooks.
And with the festivities just two days away, let’s get some bold takes on record for 2025. You can read the non-spicy predictions here.
Dustin Baker Drops His Hottest Vikings Takes for 2025
Bold predictions for the 2025 Vikings are here.
1. Myles Price Returns *2* Kicks or Punts for TDs
No Vikings player has returned a punt for a touchdown since 2016. The team is approaching a decade without one, an ugly drought.
The last time it happened, Marcus Scherels took one to the house in October of 2016 near the dawn of the Sam Bradford era.
Well, this go-round, Minnesota has a new return man, undrafted free-agent rookie wideout Myles Price from Indiana, who will field punts and kicks in 2025. He’ll take two returns back for paydirt and become the talk of the town regarding special teams.
Hoosier State of Mind‘s Donovan James wrote about Price this week: “Price signed with the Minnesota Vikings after not being drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, but made the 53-man roster after impressing in the preseason and an injury to Rondale Moore, who previously had the job.”
“After, Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason undrafted free agent Myles Price stepped up this spring camp. Myles Price finished the 2024 season at Indiana third in receiving yards, behind only Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. He was also Indiana’s primary punt returner, with 23 attempts and 289 yards.”
The Vikings’ last kick return touchdown? Courtesy of Kene Nwnagwu in December 2022.
James added, “His season-long 65 yard return came against Washington, setting the Hoosiers up for their final touchdown. Price, a Texas Tech transfer also added 38 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns, ran seven times for 63 yards and a TD on offense He also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the conference media at wide receiver and return specialist.”
“Overall, the Dallas, Texas native had 199 receptions for 2,217 yards and 13 touchdowns in 55 career games between the Red Raiders (three seasons) and the Hoosiers (one season). His best season of production came in his 2021 sophomore year, with 38 receptions for 523 yards and two scores. He handled 42 punt returns and 59 kick returns in his career.”
2. Joe Huber Sees Action — and Thrives
Another undrafted free agent, Huber surprised many casual and hardcore Vikings fans by earning a spot on the 53-man roster. He’d likely be the next man up if an injury beset Will Fries, Donovan Jackson, or Blake Brandel.
Well, unfortunately, that will take place sometime in 2025, and when Huber sees the field, he’ll turn heads with dependable performance.
Minnesota is long overdue to hit on offensive guards, in general, and especially unsung ones from late in the draft or undrafted free agency.
3. The Vikings Trade for Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II
The Newsome II-to-Minnesota rumor has circulated for months. Here’s why:
- Most argue that Minnesota’s cornerback room doesn’t quite jibe with the rest of the depth on an otherwise Super Bowl-contending roster. Fans have expected a cornerback signing or trade for months, to no avail. Greg Newsome II’s name often emerged.
- General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah worked in the Browns’ front office when Cleveland drafted Newsome II. He knows the guy.
In October, it will be apparent that Minnesota’s CB corps is a team weakness, and Adofo-Mensah will fire off a draft pick to Cleveland, securing Newsome II’s services for the remainder of 2025 and perhaps beyond.
4. Kevin O’Connell Ends the Playoff Win Drought
In Kevin O’Connell’s first year as Minnesota’s skipper, he provided a 13-4 record, seemingly out of nowhere, only to lose at home in the postseason to the New York Giants, a team led by Daniel Jones. Last season, the Vikings won 14 games but lost on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
The man is desperately due for a playoff victory, and in fact, is probably one postseason loss away from chatter that he can’t get the job done in the tournament.
O’Connell will get off the schneid this year, though, as Minnesota will finish around 10-7 or 11-6, hitting the road for a Wildcard game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings will topple Baker Mayfield and Co., getting the monkey off O’Connell’s back once and for all.
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