The 2025 season was an average one for the Minnesota Vikings by NFL standards, because they went 9-8. However, it was actually an abysmal year for the team, all things considered. The Vikings went from a 14-win team to not making the playoffs, while watching the quarterback they just moved on from win the Super Bowl.
Even worse than that is the fact that there isn’t much optimism surrounding the team heading into the offseason. That was evident in NFL.com’s recent post-Super Bowl 60 power rankings.
Minnesota was ranked in the bottom half of the league at No. 21, and NFL writer Eric Edholm argued that “Several tough calls lie ahead for a team that appears to have a wide range of outcomes next season.”
Minnesota Vikings ranked No. 21 in post-Super Bowl power rankings ahead of decision-filled offseason
Edholm hit on all the major question marks surrounding the team. He talked about the quarterback room and how J.J. McCarthy needs competition next season, the recent firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the team currently being projected more than $40 million over the salary cap, and Minnesota having to decide on the future of wide receiver Jordan Addison.
All of those situations, combined with how this season unfolded for the Vikings, resulted in them being ranked 21st in the NFL. That’s the lowest rank of any NFC North team, with the three other franchises all finishing in the top 14.
That’s a disappointing reality considering how dominant Minnesota was in 2024 and how much talent the group still has to be dominant.
The Vikings just have to get things figured out this offseason, and it will start at the quarterback position.
It’s a bit unfair to argue that Minnesota should abandon McCarthy already, because he’s a young player who just finished his first season as a starter in the NFL. Was it rough? Absolutely, but the young quarterback had promising moments and certainly could still develop into a quarterback who could lead Minnesota to a lot of success.
The question is whether that development will happen this offseason. The Vikings are talented on both sides of the ball, with a really good coaching staff, and they may not want to hold a promising team back for the development of a young quarterback.
If McCarthy can take the necessary leap, or Minnesota can find an upgrade, the Vikings should find themselves right back near the top of the power rankings.