How the Vikings Can Win the Super Bowl

Dustin Baker |

May 4, 2025

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used the last four offseasons to arrive at this moment.

How the Vikings Can Win the Super Bowl

His team can compete for a Super Bowl in the here and now after spending millions upon millions in free agency and onboarding his rookie quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft.

And while oddsmakers don’t necessarily believe Minnesota will win the chip in 2025, here’s how the Vikings could do it.

The steps are listed in ascending order (No. 1 = most important Super Bowl-winning criteria).

6. Dependability from Will Reichard

Will Reichard performed wonderfully through the 2024 season’s first two months. End of story.

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota placekicker Will Reichard (16) kicks a 41-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Ryan Wright (17) in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

But then a quad injury rattled his rookie campaign, and he wasn’t quite the same guy in December. His acclimation to the franchise was so promising, though, that Vikings fans began to shed their longstanding apprehension about all kickers.

If Minnesota plans to effectuate a Super Bowl push in 2025 or soon after, it will need the dependable version of Reichard — the guy who only misses once in a while and hopefully never in a pressure-cooked spot.

Vikings fans know all about that dirty little habit.

5. Offensive Line Jells Immediately

In March, Adofo-Mensah signed center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from the same team in free agency, the Indianapolis Colts. The transactions shoved Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, and Dalton Risner out of town, and with the snap of two fingers, the Vikings’ interior offensive line felt wholly repaired.

Six weeks later, Adofo-Mensah drafted Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson from the 1st Round, and boom, the team had completely reconditioned its offensive line.

Now, to pursue a Super Bowl, the fivesome must coagulate on the fly, and each man must live up to his free-agent billing or draft stock (in Jackson’s case).

But make no mistake: the Vikings’ fivesome has the juice to become one of the NFL’s top OL units.

4. Good Health

Every Super Bowl hopeful needs this season-long attribute — mostly good health.

For example, if Minnesota lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw again, it might be difficult to profess a Super Bowl push with a straight face.

Injuries will rattle every depth chart during a season, but Minnesota must avoid too many ailments or setbacks to the team’s stars.

This one is a bit of a no-brainer, but had to be included.

3. No Defensive Regression

Minnesota ranked second in the NFL per defensive DVOA and EPA/Play. The infrastructure is there for the purple team defensively; it just has to avoid major regression.

Adofo-Mensah added newcomer Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah on defense, so a slide in 2025 shouldn’t be on the menu. It would be strange, if so.

Minnesota Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on July 25th, 2024. Flores was hired in February 2023 to take over for Ed Donatell after Minnesota finished 30th in points allowed.

The Vikings basically need to maintain a Top 10 defense to chase their first-ever Super Bowl. A dip back to No. 15 or so would make the mission markedly more difficult.

2. J.J. McCarthy as a Top 12 QB

The Vikings’ roster is in sweet enough shape that J.J. McCarthy must waltz in and merely drive the car. There’s already a full tank of gas.

Of course, McCarthy will encounter struggles; no one disputes it. That’s what young quarterbacks do.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) speak in a press conference after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports.

But if the 22-year-old Wolverine can drive the car without too many accidents, Minnesota can contend for a championship now. Kevin O’Connell has already cooked with Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Sam Darnold. Why would McCarthy be the one guy who stinks?

1. Markedly Improved Rushing Offense

No Super Bowl is attainable for O’Connell’s team until the head coach fixes the ground game on offense once and for all.

vikings — Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota running back Aaron Jones (33) stretches before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Because Aaron Jones performed wonderfully for about two months to start the 2024 campaign, the rushing offense improved from 27th to 20th-best per DVOA between the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

While seven spots in the right direction is commendable, it still isn’t enough for legitimate Super Bowl contendership. O’Connell must foster a rushing attack within the NFL’s Top 12 or so.

Jordan Mason should help, a trade acquisition from March via the San Francisco 49ers.

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