Vikings 2025 season preview: How to fake it
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Justin Jefferson should help young QB J.J. McCarthy this year. Photo: David Berding/Getty Images
The Vikings kick off another season of hope Monday night at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
If you're just now turning your attention to football after soaking up summer, here's your guide to faking it at the next pigskin party.
State of play: The Vikings finished 14-3 last year and got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. In the offseason, they went on a free agent spending spree, beefing up their offensive and defensive lines to the pleasure of most of our dads, who always tell us the game is won in the trenches.
Yes, but: NFL pundits aren't showing Minnesota much respect, with many predicting the team will miss the playoffs, some believing the Vikes sneak into the postseason — and a rare few who think they're going all the way.
Between the lines: The reason for that uncertainty? The Vikings let last year's Pro Bowl quarterback, Sam Darnold, leave for Seattle and handed the keys over to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy, who is the youngest starting QB in the league.
- Plus, the team has one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and plays in the NFC North, which sent three teams to the playoffs last season.
- To make matters worse, archrival Green Bay traded for one of the league's best defenders in Micah Parsons. The cheeseheads are riding high.
Reality check: McCarthy doesn't have to be great for this team to go on a run— he just needs to get the ball in the hands of Justin Jefferson and other playmakers while minimizing mistakes.
- The roster around McCarthy is stacked, with one of the best defensive fronts in football, led by Thor-looking Andrew Van Ginkel and the quiet-but-disruptive Jonathan Greenard.
- The coaching staff is also top-notch, with head coach Kevin O'Connell calling the offensive plays and defensive coordinator Brian Flores bringing his bag of tricks that flummoxes opposing quarterbacks.
What we're watching: Aside from McCarthy, it's the health of the team because the roster is filled with older players and those with injury histories.
Nick's prediction: The Vikings and McCarthy will have an up-and-down season, sneak into the playoffs with a 10-7 record and then win at least one playoff game.