Entering the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are not feeling as particularly great as they did after the 2024 season.
All that optimism about going 14-3 a year ago has now gone into a silent panic over their 9-8 season and concerns surrounding the offense. While the quarterback position is the team's biggest problem, another lingering issue for the unit comes from the offensive line.
Minnesota's unstable offensive line went through it all in 2025, with injuries to pretty much everyone on the line. One of the biggest disappointments on the Vikings' offensive line that might end up putting the team in an awkward situation in the offseason is starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
The Minnesota Vikings have to make a decision on starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw
The 2025 season was not kind to Darrisaw, as his 2024 ACL injury affected his play, and he played in only 10 games. His knee injury prevented him from playing in the rest of the seven games.
Overall for the season, Pro Football Focus had Darrisaw as the 47th-ranked offensive tackle out of 89 in the NFL with a grade of 65.9. He finished with 18 pressures allowed, called for eight penalties, allowed four quarterback hits, and allowed two sacks on 325 pass blocking snaps.
His inconsistent play has some wondering about his future in the NFL and with the Vikings. The Athletic's Alec Lewis believes that the uncertainty of Darrisaw might actually force the Vikings to be aggressive with getting another tackle in the offseason.
"Looking ahead, Jackson and Fries are shoo-ins to retain their spots in 2026. The center position sits among the Vikings’ top priorities this spring alongside quarterback, safety, defensive line and cornerback. However, Darrisaw’s health and availability for next season are unquestionably among the team’s most important considerations.
Darrisaw’s inconsistent participation complicated each week’s preparations. Rarely did the coaches know whether he would play. If he did, they weren’t sure how long he would stay in the game.
The team must spend the next few months ensuring this is the case. Any lingering uncertainty would dictate their being aggressive at the tackle position, either via the draft or free agency."
Minnesota's 2025 offseason rebuilt the offense, adding players like Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency. The Vikings turned to the draft to find their future left guard in the first round with Donovan Jackson.
This could be a situation where the Vikings need to find some insurance in case Darrisaw can no longer play at the level he has in his five-year NFL career. Minnesota most likely wants to use its first-round pick on the secondary, with a cornerback or safety, but that might force a different strategy: using a first-rounder on an offensive lineman for the second straight season.
Regardless of what they do, the Vikings must figure it out quickly as they try to build the best team around their young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, or whoever else will be in that position in 2026. Darrisaw might be seen more as a liability than someone who can be a long-term starter.