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The Minnesota Vikings surprised the masses last season, finishing 14-3 and in second place in the NFC North. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota’s 2024 first-round pick, suffered a season-ending injury before the regular season even started, forcing career journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold into action.
Darnold proceeded to put together a career-best campaign, leading the Vikings to a wild-card postseason berth.
Darnold is now gone, though, after signing with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason. Thus, Kevin O’Connell will be riding with McCarthy under center in 2025.
Just like many other pundits, I don’t envision Minnesota replicating its success from a season ago.
Without further ado, here's a look at where the Vikings stand headed into the ‘25 campaign.
What to know
2024 record: 14-3 (second place in NFC North; lost in wild card round to L.A. Rams, 27-9)
Record vs DET: 0-2; 31-29 L (10.20.24), 31-9 (1.5.25)
The Lions took care of business against the Vikings twice last season, effectively keeping O’Connell’s squad out of first place.
In the first matchup between the divisional rivals, the Lions trailed, 10-0, at the end of the first quarter, and then proceeded to score 21 unanswered points in the final quarter of the opening half. The Vikings weren’t done, though, and led 29-28, with 5:50 to play in the fourth quarter. The game was eventually decided on a Jake Bates 44-yard field goal with 0:15 to play.
Meanwhile, in the second matchup, the Lions led the entire way. Detroit held Darnold to just 166 yards on 18-of-41 passing, and Jahmyr Gibbs produced a monstrous game on the ground. He rushed for three touchdowns and 139 yards, and added another score as a receiver. With the win, the Lions clinched the NFC North division title, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Head coach: Kevin O'Connell (Fourth season: 34-17)
2024 season stats: 25.4 PPG (9th), 346.94 YPG (12th), 19.5 PAPG (5th), 335.41 YAPG (16th).
Key additions
DT Jonathan Allen (FA signing)
DT Javon Hargrave (FA signing)
G Will Fries (FA signing)
C Ryan Kelly (FA signing)
WR Rondale Moore (FA signing)
The Vikings made a concerted effort to upgrade the interior of both their defensive and offensive lines this offseason.
Minnesota acquired both Allen and Hargrave with the intent to upgrade its pass-rushing efforts from the interior. Meanwhile, the organization added Fries and Kelly in an attempt to boost its pass-protection efforts along the interior.
These signings should help the Vikings stay in the mix in an ultra competitive NFC North in 2025.
Key departures
QB Sam Darnold (signed with Seahawks)
S Cam Bynum (signed with Colts)
EDGE Patrick Jones II (signed with Panthers)
C Garrett Bradbury (released; signed with Patriots)
The Vikings experienced more notable acquisitions than notable losses, which should bode well for the franchise headed into the 2025 season. The team’s most impactful departure, by far, will be the loss of Darnold in free agency.
Darnold experienced a career-best campaign in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, en route to leading Minnesota to a 14-win season. It was an improbable season for the career journeyman signal-caller, who will be replaced by McCarthy, a second-year pro, in 2025.
If the Vikings have any chance of replicating their success from last season, they will need McCarthy to be productive in his first taste of NFL action.
Draft picks
Round 1, Pick 24 - Donovan Jackson, OL | Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 102 - Tai Felton, WR | Maryland
Round 5, Pick 139 (from Browns) - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL | Georgia
Round 6, Pick 201 - Kobe King, LB | Penn State
Round 6, Pick 202 - Gavin Bartholomew, TE | Pittsburgh
The Vikings ended up making just five selections this past April. However, the first two could end up being rather impactful this upcoming season.
Minnesota beefed up the interior of its offensive line with the selection of Jackson, who should compete for reps at left guard from day one. He should aid the Vikings in their efforts to keep McCarthy upright in 2025 and beyond.
Additionally, in drafting Felton, the Vikings acquired a pass-catcher who has the ability to make an instant impact in the team’s receivers room. He has a chance to be Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver in ‘25.
The Vikings won’t be able to sneak up on teams and surprise anybody this upcoming season, after their 14-3 campaign a year ago. And now they’ll also have to fend off the up-and-coming Bears, just like the rest of the division.
I expect Minnesota to be competitive once again in 2025. However, I don’t expect O’Connell’s team to repeat as runners-up in the NFC North.
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- 'Clearly separated himself': Why one QB is winning Browns' competition
- The '2024-25 NFL passing-yard leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Complete Recap Raiders vs. Seahawks: Good, Bad, Ugly
SEATTLE, Wash.—The Las Vegas Raiders returned Pete Carroll to the Pacific Northwest at beautiful Lumen Field tonight, but it wasn’t the outcome the future Hall of Fame head coach desired. The Raiders completed their first preseason game of the year with a 23-23 tie. It was a typical first preseason game for both teams in which they looked sloppy, made plenty of mistakes, but also gave their respective fan bases some things to cheer about. Pete Carroll was encouraged by his team competing to the very end. The Good Rookie quarterback Cam Miller had an impressive performance as he transitions from FCS to the NFL. Although it's worth noting that he wasn't facing the Seattle Seahawks' starting lineup, or even most of their second team, Miller completed six of seven passes for 76 yards and threw one touchdown, achieving an outstanding rating of 151.5. How big is the transition from FCS to the NFL? He mentioned in the locker room that he had never needed to use a silent snap count in college. Isaiah Pola-Mao (IPM), the emerging star, made a terrific interception early in the game against a strong group of Seahawks players. I believed that when he arrived as an undrafted free agent, he would need some time to develop, but that he had the potential to play at this level. So far, he has done nothing to change that opinion. I think he is a year away from reaching his full potential, but I expect him to become a Pro Bowl-caliber starter by 2026. Thomas Booker, a third-year defensive tackle from Stanford, delivered his best performance of the preseason tonight. He showcased impressive motor and mobility, making a strong statement on the field. He ended the game with four tackles but played a significant role in several other plays as well. The phrase "Can’t keep a good man down" perfectly describes sophomore running back Dylan Laube's journey. At the start of camp, there was speculation that if rookie Tommy Mellott could successfully transition to the role, Laube might be left behind. However, Laube has stepped up impressively, excelling on special teams and delivering a remarkable performance on offense. He recorded four rushes for 31 yards, one catch for six yards, and scored one touchdown. The Bad Wide receiver Alex Bachman has had one of the best preseasons of anyone on the team, earning a spot on the 53-man roster. However, a non-contact injury late in the first half raised concerns. During the game, he recorded two catches for 36 yards, but another impressive catch that gained significant yardage was nullified by a penalty committed by rookie offensive tackle Charles Grant. Carroll said afterward, when I asked about Bachman, that he had been hurt earlier in camp, but did return. The Ugly Aidan O’Connell, in the first half, had a challenging performance. He underthrew a deep ball intended for an open Dont’e Thornton, leading to an interception. Later, he was baited into making another poor throw, resulting in his second turnover of the game. Describing O'Connell's performance in the first half as disappointing would be an understatement; it was nothing short of ugly. He was 9/18, for 114 yards and had an abysmal rating of 30.6 to end the first half. Credit the Raiders and AOC. I didn't think they would keep AOC in to start the 2nd half. They did, and he immediately rewarded them with a TD drive, culminating in a TD pass to Dylan Laube—an enormous confidence builder for AOC. He finished the night 18/30, for 205 yards. His rating rose to 63.9. Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and Instagram @HondoSr and talk to us in 2025 about the Raiders and more. While here, check out our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE to discuss all Raiders content in 2025.
The Lakers could have another undrafted gem on their hands
In a summer dominated by LeBron James and Luka Doncic headlines, the Los Angeles Lakers may have quietly struck gold once again in the UDFA market, this time with former Villanova standout Eric Dixon. After initially agreeing to a two-way contract following the 2024–25 NBA Draft, Dixon’s path to the professional ranks was temporarily delayed due to injury, forcing him to miss Summer League. The Lakers, however, remained invested in the 24-year-old forward, eventually signing him to an Exhibit 10 deal, a move that keeps him in the pipeline and positions him as a potential breakout candidate through the G League. Dixon brings one of the most decorated resumes in college basketball. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound forward led all Division I scorers last season, averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc on 7.2 attempts per contest, a remarkable transformation for a player once seen as a traditional low-post presence. He concluded his five-year career at Villanova as the school’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,314 points and etching his name into Big East history. While concerns around his age and lateral quickness may have contributed to him being passed over in the draft, Dixon’s refined skill set and ability to stretch the floor make him a strong fit in today’s NBA. He delivered in big moments throughout the season, including a 38-point outburst against Maryland on Nov. 11, and consistently carried the offensive load for the Wildcats. With his Exhibit 10 deal, Dixon is expected to begin the season with the South Bay Lakers, where he’ll aim to prove he’s healthy and ready to make an immediate impact. If he performs as expected, a return to a two-way contract, and possibly NBA minutes, could be on the horizon. The Lakers have developed a reputation for identifying and nurturing overlooked talent, with Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso emerging as prime examples. Dixon, with his offensive versatility and physical readiness, could be next in line. In a loaded Western Conference, unearthing low-cost contributors is more important than ever. Dixon might just be the next hidden gem to emerge from the Lakers’ development pipeline.
Carlos Alcaraz Sends Huge Warning to the Rest of the Tour Regarding his Rivalry with Jannik Sinner
'Clearly separated himself': Why one QB is winning Browns' competition
Recent reports have indicated that veteran Joe Flacco holds a significant lead in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition over Kenny Pickett, 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. For an article published on Wednesday, Lance Reisland of the Cleveland Plain Dealer explained why Flacco "has clearly separated himself from the quarterback competition" heading into the Browns' preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Friday. "His performance is rooted in elite mechanical consistency in his footwork, balance and ability to transfer weight efficiently through his throws," Reisland said about Flacco. "These traits have allowed him to remain composed under pressure, stay on time through full field progression reads, and consistently deliver accurate passes at all three levels of the field." During the 2023 season, Flacco won four of five starts while playing under head coach Kevin Stefanski to guide the Browns to a playoff berth. None of Cleveland's other active quarterbacks has ever taken a meaningful in-game snap in Stefanski's offense. Gabriel seemingly won't be ready for regular-season action anytime soon, and Pickett missed a handful of practice days while dealing with a hamstring injury. Sanders reportedly will start against Carolina, but he's Cleveland's fourth option at the position. Even if he looks like a revelation on Friday night, all signs point to Stefanski going with Flacco for Cleveland's Week 1 game against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. As of Wednesday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as a -265 betting favorite to get the nod for the Cincinnati matchup. "Flacco’s blend of polish, poise and veteran field-command paired with his ability to operate from under center or in shotgun, against pressure or in structure, makes him the clear best option to start Week 1," Reisland continued. "He’s executing with rhythm and timing, manipulating coverages and elevating the offense every time he’s under center. He looks fully prepared to lead this team on day one." While that doesn't necessarily mean Flacco will start when Cleveland faces the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 on Sept. 14, it appears the Browns' QB1 gig is his to lose.
'Cost of doing business': Seahawks' culture under Mike Macdonald is palpable
Following each of the Seattle Seahawks' first-half interceptions in their 23-23 tie with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, the entire defense — even those not in uniform — stampeded with the playmaker down the end zone in celebration. Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Nehemiah Pritchett were the playmakers, but if you weren't watching, you'd have lost the player who actually intercepted the pass in the horde of veteran defenders there to hype up their fellow teammate. That type of excitement, not only for a turnover but for the success of their peers, is a strong indicator of the culture leap the Seahawks are making under Mike Macdonald in 2025. Macdonald was notably unbothered on the sidelines by the pair of ensuing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that followed the plays. After all, it's the preseason. "I thought the effort was tremendous; I thought our vets, especially the guys that didn’t play, were awesome in support," Macdonald said. "We said those two [unsportsmanlike conduct] penalties were the cost of doing business, and we’ll be better moving forward. It’s just great to see the enthusiasm." What doesn't show in the written version of that quote was the smirk on Macdonald's face included with that statement. In his second season leading the team, Macdonald is well aware of the growing connection among his defense, especially. But it wasn't just on the turnovers. Any big play made by the younger players on the field was met by plenty of helmet slaps, hand taps and smiles on the sidelines. There was a distinct energy level that felt different from 2024 — one that can potentially take this team to the next level. To be that over-the-top excited in the preseason is only scratching the surface ahead of the regular season. Even in a tie, Macdonald is happy with what he saw as a starting point for his new team. Continuity is always important, and his second season is a huge opportunity to capitalize on that. "You never want to tie a football game — it kind of stinks," Macdonald said. "But a lot of great stuff on both sides of the ball. Special teams as well. Guys got our attention, you know, we can go through all the guys, but we’re going to watch the tape and evaluate everybody."
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