The Top 5 Vikings of the 2025 Season
The 2025 season will go down in the history books as a disappointment for the Minnesota Vikings. The team finished with a winning record, but the possibility of playoff football disappeared with weeks remaining in the season.
The record didn’t cooperate, but a handful of Vikings consistently delivered in 2025.
The decision to go with JJ McCarthy as the quarterback left uncertainty about what to expect from this team’s offense. However, I confidently predicted 11 wins back in August. Of course, I did factor in four starts at QB for Carson Wentz and two for Max Brosmer, as injuries were once again a problem for McCarthy, as was the inconsistent play to a degree.
The Five Best Vikings from the 2025 Season
Brian Flores had his defense playing at an elite level as the season came to a close, leaving Vikings fans wondering what might have been if the team had just had consistent play throughout the season.
That didn’t happen, but there were things to be positive about, including the individual performances from some players. Here are my top five Vikings from the 2025 season.
Honorable Mentions
Jonathan Greenard had a great first year in Minnesota, impressing with his all-around play on the way to totaling 12 sacks. He didn’t quite reach those heights in Year 2, reaching only 3 sacks and missing five of the last seven games – finishing the season on Injured Reserve. Greenard is still one of the team’s best players, earning a 74.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, but the missed games keep him out of the top five.
Dallas Turner showed the improvement people had been looking for and finished his second season strongly. He finished as the team’s sack leader with 9 and showcased the speed and pass-rushing prowess that saw him selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
Blake Cashman is a tackling machine and the heartbeat of the Vikings’ defense. Since he joined his home-state team last year, the only major downside to Cashman has been injuries. He missed four games in 2025.
Will Reichard has proved that it’s worth drafting a kicker if you get it right. He has quickly proved to be one of the best kickers in the league, with both accuracy and the ability to hit from distance, with a couple of successful kicks from 60+ yards to his name.
5. Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson returned to where it all began in 2025. The linebacker came into the league with the Vikings in 2017 and, after four seasons away, returned looking better than ever. Starting the season as a backup, and an injury to Cashman gave Wilson an early opportunity, and when Cashman returned, it was Ivan Pace who made way. Flores deployed Wilson in a way that made the most out of his skill set, rushing the passer and making tackles.
It led to Wilson scoring career highs in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (17), forced fumbles (4), and QB hits (10). Figuring out how to bring Wilson back for the 2026 season should be a priority for Minnesota.
4. Jalen Redmond
After spending big money on the free agency acquisitions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, it was Jalen Redmond who emerged as the Vikings’ best interior defensive lineman. Proving he was equally adept at rushing the passer and in run defense, he played on the majority of snaps on defense from Week 6 onwards.
Redmond finished the season with 62 tackles, 6 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 5 passes defended, and an overall grade from PFF of 72.7. He became a force at the line of scrimmage, and the potential for continued improvement in Year 3 is a source of excitement.
3. Brian O’Neill
The Vikings’ offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2025, and Brian O’Neill wasn’t immune. The veteran right tackle missed three games, but when he did play, he was his usual reliable self. PFF graded O’Neill at 81.6 for the season, with a pass-blocking grade of 76.4 and a run-blocking grade of 84.5. O’Neill allowed just two sacks and 21 pressures across his 14 games and was by far the most consistent presence on Minnesota’s OL.
2. Andrew Van Ginkel
Andrew Van Ginkel is a fabulous football player. He does not have the elite physical traits of a Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons from the edge, but uses his football intelligence to be one of the league’s best defenders in a different way. Never more evident than his uncanny ability to read a screen pass.
As his head coach told the media this season, if you plan to run a screen while Van Ginkel is on the field, you ought to check which side he is on and make sure you throw it the other way.
A neck injury caused Van Ginkel to miss five games in the first half of the season, but his effect when he plays meant I still had to put him at number two. AVG finished the season with 54 tackles, 7 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 1 interception for 40 yards, and 11 passes defended. PFF gave him an overall grade of 79.5 for the season, and his all-around play on defense is what sets him apart.
1. Justin Jefferson
The fact that a 1,000-yard season is seen as a down year for Justin Jefferson is an indication of the standard he has set. Through no fault of his own, the Vikings went through three different starting QBs and a very inconsistent performance.
It has been a challenging year for the Vikings’ star player, but his actions in the face of adversity define the man and player he is. There has been frustration, but no sulking or coded messages about wanting to leave for greener pastures. Jefferson took it upon himself to lead his team through the difficult moments. Now it’s the team’s job to make sure he is on a truly competitive team next season.
Jefferson finished the season with 84 catches on 141 targets for 1048 yards and two touchdowns. PFF gave him an overall grade of 80.5 for the season. Jefferson hasn’t lost any of his powers, and making sure he is given the best opportunity to produce the kind of numbers a player of his ability should will be one of the biggest jobs the Vikings have this offseason.
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