2024 season: 14-3, second in NFC North, lost to Rams in wild-card round

Overview: Before it fell apart in the end, this was the best Vikings season in years, which is remarkable considering their rookie quarterback didn’t play a single snap.

The Vikings had a chance at landing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they were humbled in their regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. Then they were blown out by the Los Angeles Rams in the opening round of the playoffs in the second straight brutal game from quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold went to Seattle on a reported three-year, $100 million deal.

Despite limping to the finish, the future in Minneapolis is bright. Both head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have secured contract extensions, and the team is bringing back most of its key pieces outside of Darnold.

With him gone, it appears the time has come for J.J. McCarthy to take over under center after he missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. There is some uncertainty about what the team has in McCarthy, but regardless, Vikings fans should be very happy with the state of the franchise.

NFLPA report card

Ranking: 2nd

The Vikings were also ranked second in last year's report card, thanks to high-end facilities, including a sizable locker room and a strong food program. Players also say the team actually improved its training staff from a year earlier, rising from a B to an A in that category.

Key free agents

QB Sam Darnold (signed with Seahawks)
S Harrison Smith
S Camryn Bynum
CB Byron Murphy
OT Cam Robinson
CB Stephon Gilmore
RB Aaron Jones (re-signed)
RB Cam Akers
CB Shaq Griffin

Who’s in/out: The Vikings let Darnold walk, so now the goal is to make sure McCarthy has everything he needs to be successful as he starts his career.

Jones had a career year with the Vikings this past fall. The veteran running back racked up 1,138 yards and seven total touchdowns on his one-year deal with the club. It was enough to get a two-year extension, reportedly valued at $20 million.

Key free-agent needs

Running back
Cornerback/safety
Quarterback

Why the holes? The Vikings will have several key members of their secondary hit free agency this offseason, including cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin, and safeties Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith. The group led the NFL in interceptions by a lot last season, so plugging at least one of those holes in free agency feels like a smart move. The team started backfilling by bringing in former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers on a reported two-year, $15 million deal.

With a young player the presumptive starting QB, the Vikings should bring in a cheaper veteran to back him up.

Do they have the money?

The Vikings enter the offseason with roughly $59 million in salary cap space, which is top 10 in the league.

Notable potential cuts

TE Josh Oliver
C Garrett Bradbury
OL Ed Ingram

Why they might be gone: The first two here would save the Vikings a good chunk of money. Oliver is due to make $8 million in 2025, though he had just 22 receptions last season. While that’s a career-high, the Vikings don’t need to overpay him with T.J. Hockenson on their roster.

Bradbury is in the same boat. The Vikings are set to owe their longtime center more than $5 million next season, but cutting him while bolstering their offensive line — which is something they should absolutely do this offseason — could be an easy option.

While Ingram won’t save them a lot of money, cutting him makes sense. He lost his starting job midway through last year, so keeping him around for the last season of his contract doesn't make a lot of sense.

Draft picks

1st round: No. 24
3rd round (compensatory)
5th round (from Browns)
5th round

Good draft fit

Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Why him? The Vikings have a glaring hole to fill in their secondary, so taking a cornerback here first is ideal. Even while dealing with a torn ACL injury for much of last season, Revel would be a great fit here for Minnesota. The 6-foot-3 star had two interceptions, including one he ran back for a touchdown, in his three games for the Pirates before going down with injury. Assuming his recovery is going well, Revel could fit in easily and fill a big need for Minnesota right away.

What can move the fantasy football needle this offseason?

With McCarthy taking over under center, this team’s interior offensive line needs to be enhanced and improved. Sam Darnold was under pressure on 37.9% of his dropbacks this past season, according to PFF, among the highest rates in the league. And he was pressured at a staggering rate of 54% in the playoff loss by the Rams. If this offense is going to maximize the high-end talent in its receiving corps, the quarterback will need time and space to operate.

While we’re making hypothetical tweaks to the Vikings' roster, let’s get younger in the backfield too, perhaps with UNC’s Omarion Hampton or Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson. —Andy Behrens