Followers look on after the Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings and changing into the 2024 NFC North Champions at Ford Area in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.
When the Minnesota Vikings kicked off their 2024 season, they did so, with followers having little cause to imagine. Positive, Kevin O’Connell had confirmed to be a fairly strong head coach, however they had been coming off a yr by which they missed the playoffs. Projections put Minnesota’s over/underneath win complete at simply 6.5 video games.
The Finest Vikings Season That By no means Ought to Have Occurred
J.J. McCarthy was drafted to be the long run face of the franchise. He wasn’t going to begin Week 1, however he wasn’t purported to miss your complete season as a consequence of a knee harm, both. Sam Darnold was introduced in to be a bridge quarterback. At $10 million, and within the first good state of affairs of his profession, there was hope that he may work.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
Nobody may have projected issues would go this properly. The Vikings ripped off 14 wins in a division that produced three of the perfect groups in soccer. They beat the Inexperienced Bay Packers twice, and, at occasions, Darnold appeared like a official MVP candidate.
It’s unlucky how unhealthy Darnold appeared in his last two video games of the season. There is no such thing as a denying how terrible he was in opposition to the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He did earn himself a ton of cash, although, and can simply be probably the most coveted quarterback on the free agent market this offseason.
Daniel Bartel-Imagn Photographs.
It’s due to O’Connell, the event of Darnold, and the manufacturing for Minnesota that the season even had an opportunity to achieve success. The Vikings discovered themselves inside sniffing distance of the highest seed within the NFC. They had been favored in each sport however their final down the stretch, and so they had been thought of highway favorites within the Wild Card spherical.
This whole yr may have been little greater than constructing for 2025. Had McCarthy performed, it doubtless would have mirrored Darnold flaming out. Minnesota most likely would have been a shedding report, and O’Connell would work to make his teen profitable in yr two.
As a substitute, we noticed a state of affairs that proved O’Connell can work wonders on the quarterback place. The Vikings have a extra gifted passer able to step in, and so they have some huge cash to handle different roster points. Additionally they acquired to expertise a excessive degree of profitable whereas adversity stacked the deck in opposition to them.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Photographs.
Nothing about this season was purported to go like this. They had been taking part in with home cash and almost took the home for all it was value. The 2025 marketing campaign represents an thrilling time for this franchise, and the offseason must be one to recollect.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that’s targeted on all issues Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s lively on Twitter and writes every day for Minnesota Sports activities Fan. As a former faculty athlete and avid sports activities fan, overlaying our professional groups with a ardour has all the time appeared like such a pure outlet.
