Vikings Season Hinges on These 3 Keys
The NFL regular season is now less than two weeks away.
The Minnesota Vikings went a surprising 14-3 last season, but also went one-and-done in the playoffs.
The Vikings’ 2025 campaign could come down to just three factors. These keys may determine whether Minnesota takes a leap forward or falls short this season.
Minnesota has not made it to the Super Bowl since 1976 and has not won more than one playoff game in a season since 1987. Since advancing to the NFC Championship Game in 2009, they have also only won two playoff games total.
The 3 Essential Ingredients for Vikings Success
If they are going to go far this season, here are three keys for that to happen:
1. Get Production from the Young Guns
Minnesota’s roster is loaded all across, and they added more this offseason with the additions of Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jordan Mason, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, and Isaiah Rodgers. They also still have Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison (suspended for the first three games), T.J. Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, Byron Murphy Jr, and Harrison Smith.
How can they take the next step forward? They need exemplary contributions from J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and Donovan Jackson. It will not hurt if they get some contributions from third-round pick Tai Felton as well. Undrafted rookie Myles Price may end up being the team’s kick returner and perhaps punt returner. He could end up being one of the team’s biggest surprises this season.
With the surprise trade of Harrison Phillips on Wednesday, they need contributions from either Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, or Elijah Williams. They still have Jalen Redmond in the mix, who looked good last season when given opportunities. Between Rodriguez, Ingram-Dawkins, and Williams, even getting production from one of them would be very beneficial, barring injuries to the rest of the defensive line. Allen and Hargrave, if healthy, will be significant additions to the unit and the whole defense in general.
The good thing about McCarthy is that he does not need to be elite this season. Even if he is ok, Minnesota can go far. Jackson, even being an upgrade over Blake Brandel, would help an offensive line that will already be head and shoulders above last season’s unit. Last season, Patrick Jones II had seven sacks. Can Turner match that or even exceed that? Either would help a very good defense that should be even better than last season’s.
2. Good Production from the Third WR
That has been one of the biggest marks for Minnesota since the offseason began.
It is now an even bigger one. As expected, Addison will miss the first three games due to suspension. Rondale Moore is out for the season, and last year’s third wide receiver, Jalen Nailor, has not shown enough to be a consistent option. Felton is also unproven. Whoever they add will likely be an upgrade. Once Addison is back in the lineup, the offense and wide receiver core will be that much deeper.
Moore could have been a very nice option if he hadn’t gotten injured. It would be shocking if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah does not acquire anyone, especially now that Nailor has a hand injury. Many fans want to see them trade for former Viking star Adam Thielen, and it very well could happen soon. That would be a very good move, but what will they give up to get him? Likely not much. They are reportedly discussing a day three draft pick with the Carolina Panthers.
He knows the offense, would upgrade the team, and at age 35, they would not have to give up much to get him. He also worked out with McCarthy this offseason. Thielen is not what he once was, but would still be an upgrade.
It should not cost any higher than a fourth-round pick. Might even take a second pick to get him, whether it is for 2026 or 2027.
If not him, Amari Cooper is still available and would be an intriguing option. D.J. Chark is available, too. K.J. Osborn could be an option. Like Thielen, he is a former Viking and knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Last season, Nailor caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns in all 17 games. He has had some positive moments, but also has had some costly drops. He would make a very good fourth wide receiver, not a third, at least not at this point in his career.
3. Stay Healthy
This is always the biggest key for any team. Obviously, injuries are a part of the game. Every team is going to have at least some. The key is to have as little as possible. Too many could really damage a team’s season.
Jefferson and McCarthy are the two players they could least afford to lose for a significant period of time. If McCarthy gets injured, who will Minnesota put in? Sam Howell has not looked very good during training camp and the preseason. They very well could add another quarterback.
While Jefferson is far from Minnesota’s only weapon on offense, he is their best player overall. The defense was fifth in points allowed last season, and it could be even better. If they lose multiple players due to significant injuries, it would be difficult to achieve that. Greenard and Van Ginkel are among the top ones they could least afford to lose for a long time. Losing either Murphy Jr or Rodgers would be very costly as well.
Jeff Okudah has had a good camp, but has had many injuries throughout his career, and Mehki Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL. It would not be a shock if they try to add another cornerback.
This season could, in fact, be special for this team. Some things need to work in their favor for that to happen, of course, but overall this team has plenty of talent and a good coaching staff.
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