What questions do the Vikings need to answer this season to be successful?

USA Today

a day ago

What questions do the Vikings need to answer this season to be successful?
The Minnesota Vikings exceeded expectations in 2024, going 14-3 with Sam Darnold at quarterback. If not for a historical divisional race, they would have otherwise had the NFC's No. 1 seed and held homefield advantage in the playoffs. Instead, they were the NFC's 5th seed, traveled to Arizona to face the Los Angeles Rams, and got smoked 27-9.
Losing by a combined score of 58-18 in the season's final two games left a bitter taste in Vikings fans' mouths about the season. But the team's brain trust, led by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell, entered the offseason determined not to let that happen again. 31 of the league's 32 teams are "losers" by the year's end. How they fought and performed in their final games is often more important than just the result.
The Vikings were aggressive in free agency and helped bolster their offense in the draft. Yet many questions remain. The development of young players at key positions could be the difference between being a true contender and missing the playoffs. However, getting a positive resolution on those young players could set the Vikings up for their first long-term Super Bowl window in five decades.
Here are three questions the Vikings need to answer in 2025 for their season to be successful.
Can J.J. McCarthy Live Up To the Expectations Of Being A Franchise Quarterback?
Honestly, this is the question surrounding the Vikings in 2025. Fans may actually be more willing to see the team go 9-8 with McCarthy slinging the ball around the field than go 13-4 with him as nothing more than a Teddy Bridgewater-type.
Everyone knows about McCarthy's season-ending meniscus injury that held him out of his rookie season. Darnold may have temporarily set the expectations too high before crashing back to Earth in the season's final two games.
It will be tough for McCarthy to surpass Darnold's 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. But if the 22-year-old quarterback can stay composed in big moments and not let the moment become too big for him, that in itself will be a step in the right direction. He appears to have the intangibles. If his mental and physical traits can mesh into functional quarterback ability, the Vikings will be set for the next decade-plus at the position.
Can Kevin O'Connell Finally Produce A Reliable Running Game?
One glaring blemish on O'Connell's time in Minnesota has been the lack of a sustainable running game. The Vikings ranked 19th in rushing offense in 2024, the highest in O'Connell's three seasons, but they still only gained 4.1 yards per carry, 26th in the league.
Not being able to run the ball compounded Darnold's meltdown against the Detroit Lions and Rams to end the season. Because the Vikings couldn't take pressure off him and run the ball, they had to go down with the ball in his hands.
That wouldn't be the ideal situation for McCarthy. Even if he lives up to expectations, the Vikings don't want to be forced to be one-dimensional with their first-time starting quarterback.
Minnesota beefed up the offensive line with Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, and Donovan Jackson. They traded for running back Jordan Mason. Now they have to put it all together to create the sort of run game that can be a counter-punch when the Vikings' bread-and-butter, the pass game, is neutralized.
Is the Cornerback Room Able to Keep Up With the Rest Of the Defense?
The Vikings received outstanding play from Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel last year. Those two are expected to provide the same standard as EDGE rushers this season as the team continues to bring fellow EDGE Dallas Turner along. To help provide more disruption inside, the Vikings signed veteran defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Minnesota is hoping to see Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, Jr. man the middle of the defense. Safeties Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus know the defense as well as anyone. But what about the cornerbacks?
The Vikings allowed Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore to walk in free agency. Minnesota re-signed Byron Murphy, Jr., who had six interceptions in 2024, and signed former Philadelphia Eagles corner Isaiah Rodgers. But will that be enough?
2023 third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon had a promising rookie season, but an ACL tear early in training camp ended his 2024 season before it began. Dwight McGlothern had a good preseason in 2024 and was signed as an undrafted free agent, but can the Vikings count on him to come off the bench and contribute if needed?
There is speculation that the Vikings could pursue Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander to strengthen their cornerback room. But Ramsey is 30, and the draft compensation and contract may not make sense at his age. Alexander has struggled with injuries for years.
Maybe the Vikings believe in their room and are comfortable with who they have. Until the season begins, the possibility of adding another veteran via trade remains on the table.