Minnesota’s Rough Ride: Vikings Join Twins in a Season to Forget
For Minnesota sports fans, 2025 has been a year they'd probably like to fast-forward through. The Twins wrapped up their season with more questions than answers, leaving fans disappointed and looking toward the NFL for a pick-me-up.
The hope? That the Vikings-fresh off a 14-3 campaign and a splashy free agency spree-would carry the torch.
Instead, what followed was a collapse that’s tough to watch and even tougher to explain.
High Hopes, Hard Fall
Minnesota entered the season with legitimate optimism. The Vikings had spent more in free agency than any team not named the Patriots, signaling an all-in approach.
The centerpiece of that vision was 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the former Michigan standout who missed his rookie year with a torn meniscus.
The belief was that McCarthy, healthy and surrounded by talent, could step in and steer the franchise forward.
But that belief hasn’t translated to results. Instead of leading a playoff push, McCarthy has struggled mightily.
His performance has been so underwhelming that, since 2000, he ranks second-to-last in Expected Points Added (EPA) among all eligible quarterbacks-851st out of 852. That stat doesn’t just sting; it paints a clear picture of how far off the mark things have gone.
Injuries have played a role-McCarthy has missed time this season-but even when he’s been on the field, the offense has sputtered. The big-money free agents haven’t made the impact Minnesota hoped for, and the team has stumbled to a 4-8 record, dead last in the NFC North.
Darnold’s Revenge, Brosmer’s Debut
If there was ever a moment that summed up the Vikings’ season, it came on Sunday. Sam Darnold, who held the starting job in Minnesota last year, led the Seahawks to a 26-0 rout of his former team. On the other side, the Vikings started undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, a clear sign of how dire things have become at the quarterback position.
That kind of reversal-Darnold thriving while Minnesota flounders-only adds salt to the wound. And it underscores how quickly the quarterback situation has unraveled.
A Minnesota Legend Says Goodbye
The hits kept coming on Monday when Adam Thielen, a Minnesota native and one of the most beloved receivers in franchise history, was released at his own request. This was supposed to be his final season, a farewell tour of sorts. But with the team spiraling and his role diminishing, Thielen chose to walk away early.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who grew up watching No. 19 make clutch catches and represent the state with pride. His departure, even if expected, feels symbolic of a season that’s lost its way.
Pressure Mounts Across the Board
With the Vikings struggling and the Twins already in the rearview mirror, fans are left wondering where to turn. Sure, the Timberwolves, Lynx, and Wild offer hope in other corners of the sports landscape. But for those who live and breathe Vikings and Twins baseball, it’s been a brutal stretch.
And while the Vikings’ front office at least showed a willingness to spend and chase wins, the same can’t be said for the Twins. The perception-fair or not-is that Minnesota’s MLB club is more focused on trimming payroll than chasing a championship. That contrast only deepens the frustration.
What’s Next?
There’s still time for the Vikings to salvage some pride, but the playoffs are a long shot. The bigger concern is whether McCarthy can grow into the role or if Minnesota will be forced to re-evaluate the most important position on the field-again. As for the Twins, a long offseason looms, and fans are hoping for signs that the organization is ready to compete, not just cut costs.
For now, Minnesota’s two biggest teams are united by a common theme: unmet expectations. And for a passionate fanbase, that’s the toughest part of all.