The Minnesota Vikings went into the 2025 season believing they’d built a team that could make a serious run. They’d shored up their offensive line with a couple of key additions, and their defense had the kind of bite that could keep them in games. But one glaring issue loomed over everything - quarterback.
In 2024, Sam Darnold played like a top-tier starter, giving the Vikings stability and veteran poise under center. But when he walked in free agency, Minnesota bet big on second-year QB J.J.
McCarthy. The idea was that McCarthy, with his tools and upside, could take the reins and lead the team forward.
Instead, the gamble backfired.
McCarthy’s sophomore campaign was marred by inconsistency and injuries. Head coach Kevin O’Connell believed in McCarthy’s makeup and his own ability to develop young talent, but the results didn’t match the confidence. The Vikings didn’t just miscalculate McCarthy’s readiness - they also underestimated what they had in Darnold.
Darnold, now with the Seattle Seahawks, didn’t light up the stat sheet in Super Bowl 60, but he did what good quarterbacks do: manage the game, avoid mistakes, and make the right plays at the right time. Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England was a testament to Darnold’s growth and composure. He didn’t need to be spectacular - just solid - and that was more than enough to lift the Seahawks to a championship.
Meanwhile, Minnesota didn’t bring in a capable veteran to push or back up McCarthy. That decision came back to haunt them.
The season spiraled early, and a 26-0 loss to Darnold’s Seahawks was the low point. That defeat dropped the Vikings to 4-8, effectively ending their playoff hopes.
A late five-game win streak salvaged a 9-8 finish, but it was a far cry from the 14-3 mark they posted in 2024.
Now, the Vikings are staring at a pivotal offseason. If they want to get back into contention, they’ll need to be aggressive - especially in free agency.
Let’s start with the offensive line. The Vikings have been trying to patch up the center position for years.
Garrett Bradbury held it down through 2024, but he struggled against elite interior defenders. Minnesota brought in Ryan Kelly from the Colts last offseason, hoping the veteran would stabilize the middle.
But Kelly, an 11-year pro, couldn’t stay healthy. He suffered three concussions last season, bringing his career total to six - a concerning number for any player, especially in the trenches.
That’s why Tyler Linderbaum should be at the top of Minnesota’s free-agent wish list. The 25-year-old Ravens center has already made three Pro Bowls and is entering the prime of his career.
Linderbaum isn’t just strong and technically sound - he’s athletic, quick off the snap, and capable of handling complex defensive schemes. After thriving in Baltimore’s system, he’d be a natural fit in Minnesota.
With Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill anchoring the tackle spots (when healthy), adding Linderbaum could elevate this group to one of the league’s best. The Vikings have the bookends - now they need the anchor in the middle.
On the other side of the ball, there’s a potential shakeup coming on the edge. Jonathan Greenard could opt out of his contract, and if he walks, the Vikings will need a replacement who can bring heat off the edge. Enter Jaelan Phillips.
Phillips, a former first-round pick by the Dolphins, has shown flashes of elite ability. After battling injuries in 2023 and 2024, he played in all 17 games last season between Miami and Philadelphia, where he was traded midseason.
His 5.0 sacks don’t tell the whole story - Phillips consistently disrupted plays and showed the kind of athleticism and motor that defensive coordinators love. Brian Flores, who knows how to get the most out of versatile defenders, could unlock Phillips’ full potential in Minnesota.
Then there’s the quarterback situation - again.
Letting Darnold walk was one thing. But the Vikings also missed out on keeping a promising backup in Jones.
After joining Minnesota late in the 2024 season, Jones was viewed as a potential No. 2 behind McCarthy. But he wasn’t interested in holding a clipboard.
He signed a one-year deal with the Colts, who offered him a shot at the starting job - and he ran with it.
Jones started the 2025 season on fire, showing off the arm strength and mobility that made him such an intriguing prospect. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a fractured fibula and a torn Achilles - a brutal double injury that derailed what was shaping up to be a breakout campaign.
Still, Jones is hitting free agency again, and the Vikings should be all-in. He’s shown he can win games and elevate an offense. Bringing him in to compete with McCarthy would give Minnesota a legitimate QB battle - and some much-needed insurance if McCarthy struggles again.
The bottom line: Minnesota has talent. They’ve got a strong defensive core, a pair of high-level tackles, and a head coach who knows how to scheme offense. But if they want to bounce back from a disappointing 2025, they’ll need to address their weaknesses head-on - starting with the quarterback room, the interior offensive line, and the pass rush.
This offseason isn’t just about plugging holes. It’s about making sure the Vikings don’t waste the prime years of a roster that, with the right moves, could be back in the playoff mix sooner than later.