Not So Bold Vikings Predictions for 2025
We’re deep into the season of hope and new beginnings. No, not the Christmas season. This is the time leading up to the new NFL season.
It is a time filled with hope for what might happen to our favorite purple-clad team as we await training camp, which is coming up in August. The ultimate dream is to finally see the Vikings on the platform at the Super Bowl after they’ve won it, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m going to make some predictions that aren’t exactly bold, but are realistic for us all to watch for.
VikingsTerritory’s Tony Schultz has Vikings predictions for the 2025 season, with kickoff less than three months out.
I had previously written an article about players gaining power-ups due to new additions to the team. This follows that vein of players or units that will see an uptick this year due to changes on the team and maybe on their opponents. Could some predictions turn into headlines as the season progresses?
Defensive Leads League In Sacks
Some might feel this is a bold statement, but it’s really not since the Vikings’ Brian Flores-led defense finished the year with the 5th most sacks in 2024. With 49 sacks, they showed that they were a defense for starting QBs to worry about whenever they dropped back to pass.
The Vikings were blitz-heavy as they didn’t have great pass rushers from the middle defensive linemen. Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery were much better suited to hold up against the run than to get into the quarterback’s lap, thus causing the linebackers and defensive backs to blitz from different spots. This year, the Vikings picked up Johnathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to shore up the defensive line, and they have a habit of making quarterbacks extremely uncomfortable.
Add in Andrew Van Ginkel, Johnathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner crashing in from the outside, and that defensive front will be much more active. Jalen Redmond is a great rotational player and made some splashes last year on passing downs to spell those guys from time to time. The team also drafted Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins from Georgia, who has the potential to be a good interior lineman as well in this system. The Vikings shouldn’t have to blitz as often from the linebackers, but when they do, it should be fun to watch.
Add to that when Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus come out of the backfield, that teams will need to have their heads on a swivel to see what’s coming from all angles. Will they get 71 like they did in 1989, just one short of the all-time record set by the ’85 Bears? Perhaps, since today’s NFL is more pass-happy, the Vikings will face many teams that will look to put the ball in the air.
Andrew Van Ginkel Will Come In Second
In what? Interceptions. Last year, the long blonde-haired-living Vikings logo excited fans and announcers alike with two interceptions that he turned into touchdowns. He had a few more opportunities over the season to replicate the feat. “The Gink” has a knack for reading screen plays and sitting down on the route looking to pounce on a lightly thrown ball to a waiting running back.
Last year, he got one against the Giants that was one of the fastest pick-sixes in NFL history. He then went international and picked off Aaron Rodgers when they played the Jets in England, returning a pick 63 yards to the house. This went along with his 6 passes defended over the season. Quarterbacks became very aware of his savvy on those plays, and they had to hesitate when they saw a flash of purple and gold in that area, causing other teammates to make the play on the QB or make them throw the ball away.
This year, with the improved defensive line getting more push, he won’t have to rush the passer as often and can get into coverage more often. Skulking behind the line and getting underneath routes to steal the ball and maybe get a few more scores under his belt. Last year, Byron Murphy Jr. led the team in interceptions with 6, with the next closest being Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum with 3 apiece. I can see Van Ginkel at least doubling his interceptions this next season with panicking quarterbacks trying to get the ball out on screens and dump-offs.
His sacks might go down from the 11.5 of last season, but if that means he’s getting the ball back in the offense’s hands more often, he’ll gladly sacrifice those.
T.J. Hockenson Bounces Back Big Time
Not only will Hockenson get back to dominating the middle of the field from his tight end position, but he’s going to lead one receiving category. Last year, Hockenson didn’t get back in action until week 9, and he and Sam Darnold didn’t really have any chemistry.
Other than the game against the Bears, where he had 7 catches for 114 yards, he wasn’t really a game-changing factor and didn’t score a touchdown all season. The previous year, he ended with 95 receptions and could have topped 100 and had over 1000 yards if not for the injury. This year, he storms back after he and J.J. McCarthy build a strong rapport and have some dazzling games.
I’m not sure he’ll get close to 100 receptions, but I do think he will lead the team in receiving touchdowns. Yes, I know that’s a hard one to think about with Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the team, but Hockenson is going to be in a perfect position to snag more scores as Jets and Addison get more coverage attention on the positive side of the 50-yard line. The center of the field is going to open up more, and Hockenson will have ample opportunities to get the ball in his hands and across the goal line.
Add in that Addison may have to miss a few games due to suspension, and Hockenson should be the second option in most passing scenarios until his return. Another factor that could contribute to his great year is the improved offensive line, which should provide more rushing touchdowns and short-yardage attempts, drawing linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage instead of patrolling the backfield.
Christian Darrisaw Gets The Recognition He Deserves
He has been touted as the next star at left tackle since he came into the league. Christian Darrisaw has been favorably compared to Trent Williams by many, and they have been waiting for him to take the torch. The problem is that Williams continues to perform well, and name recognition is difficult to overcome.
Add in that Darrisaw has had some injury problems including missing most of last year and he can’t seem to get over the hump. He is dominant in the run game as well as the passing game and negates some of the best rushers in the game. The offense should be improved with the rest of the upgrades at the offensive line, adding Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, and drafting Donovan Jackson at left guard.
If Jackson pans out, the entire line will get more recognition, and it should add to Darrisaw’s legacy, giving him the Pro Bowl nod he has earned over the last few years. Those questioning his skill need only reference the video breakdown Brian Baldinger provided last year against the Lions, where he made two key blocks on one play to keep Sam Darnold upright.
Theo Jackson Will Be Better Than OK
That might seem like I’m being very casual about his performance this season, but I’m actually telling you he will be more than just a fill-in name. Last year, we finally got to see him in action when he jumped in for an injured Harrison Smith, and all he had were 4 tackles, 1 pass defense, and a game-sealing interception in Seattle.
I think it’s funny that all we hear is how safeties aren’t as important and are a low draftable position. That’s until you have one future Hall of Fame player staring at retirement and a solid guy that brings the defense together in a fun way leave. Cam Bynum left for the Colts in the offseason after he built a strong resume here with his play style and interception choreography with the team.
He quickly became a fan favorite with his smile and signature “MOOOVIIIEE!” celebration cry. Smith, of course, is one of the best safeties ever to play the game and has played his entire career in Minnesota. Jackson comes in with onlookers feeling like he’s not only replacing Bynum, but also eventually Smith. That’s a lot of pressure. The fact is that he’s going to fit in perfectly with Flores’ defense, and while he might not be as flashy as Bynum, he’s going to shine in his own way.
I think he’s a better tackler than Cam and should take better angles on open-field tackles. He may even shine brighter with the improved front and have some movies of his own.
Vikings’ Offense Will Be Near The Top
The offense has done nothing this offseason except get better. The offensive line has been improved with Kelly, Fries, and Jackson being added to the mix. The running backs room has gotten deeper with the addition of Jordan Mason, who can take some reps off of Aaron Jones and add another powerful dynamic to the run game.
Re-signing Josh Oliver only strengthens the run attack as he’s one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. Hockenson will be involved fully in training camp and should be in sync with McCarthy. Speaking of McCarthy, he should have plenty of time to distribute the ball and rack up the yards and touchdowns. Justin Jefferson is still going to do Justin Jefferson things, and Addison is the perfect complement to him, with Jalen Nailor being a strong 3rd wide receiver.
This should all add up to the Vikings being a top 10 offense in 2025. Why is this good? If the defense ranks better this season, it can’t move up too much farther from last year, when they graded out as the 4th best in the league. The offense can and will improve its 12th-place standing in 2024 by securing a spot in the top 10 and maintaining it for most of the season.
They might start slow, but as the season goes on, they will only get better. Having both units in the top 10 will not only get them into the playoffs but also take the team on a playoff run that might take them to Levi’s Stadium and a chance at destiny.
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