Vikings preseason projected win total ahead of 2025 season is too low and only one reason could explain it

Vikings aren't getting respect for one reason

One of the tough things when it comes to the 2025 Vikings win total is trying to parse out the improvements with the uncertainties surrounding the team. Let's start with the good.

The Vikings did a fantastic job in free agency to add talent to a very good roster. The biggest area of focus was in the trenches. The interior of the offensive line had issues that needed to be resolved and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did just that by signing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries.

The defense also got a makeover in the trenches with the additions of defensive tackles Jontathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Those two will be a massive addition to the Vikings, as they completely lacked an interior pass rush last season.

The other side of the coin isn't necessarily bad when it comes to the Vikings, but there are serious questions about the team in 2025. 

Who will play quarterback for the Vikings, and if it's J.J. McCarthy, will he be good?

The lower win total of 8.5 wins, which isn't as disrespectful of the 6.5 wins they were projected to have in 2024, is based mainly around the quarterback position. Uncertainly at quarterback can bring the number down because bettors won't want to be the over at a certain point because McCarthy is an unknown. If Sam Darnold were still the quarterback, the win total would likely be closer to 10.5.

It's still rather insulting for the Vikings to be on the same level as the Chicago Bears while having a significantly better roster and a proven head coach. Nothing they can do about that but go out and prove the sportsbooks wrong once again.