The Minnesota Vikings hit a snag on their way to New Jersey Saturday evening, as their team flight was forced to turn around shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue. The team was en route to face the New York Giants in Week 16 when their chartered Boeing 767 experienced a problem with the landing gear hatch not closing properly.
The plane had just departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport around 1:18 p.m.
CT when the issue surfaced. Pilots rerouted the flight over southern Wisconsin and returned safely to Minneapolis before 3 p.m.
Team officials quickly confirmed that everyone on board was safe, and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers echoed that reassurance on social media. Broadcaster Ben Leber also shared details about the issue, helping fans breathe a little easier.
The Vikings didn’t waste time organizing a backup plan. A second plane was arranged, and the team was expected to land at Newark International Airport later Saturday night-cutting it close, but still with enough time for the usual pregame walkthroughs and meetings before Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at MetLife Stadium.
While the travel hiccup adds a wrinkle to the weekend, it doesn’t change the stakes-or the opportunity-for Minnesota. This is the Vikings’ final road game of the season, and although both teams are out of playoff contention-Minnesota sitting at 6-8 and the Giants at 2-12-there’s still plenty to play for, especially when it comes to development.
All eyes remain on rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, who’s steadily finding his footing after missing his entire rookie year with a knee injury. Over the last two games, McCarthy has looked increasingly comfortable, completing 66 percent of his passes for 413 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception.
He’s averaging 8.8 yards per attempt-a solid clip for a young passer-and is coming off a 250-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys. Sunday’s matchup is another chance for McCarthy to stack reps and build chemistry with his offense in real-time game situations.
On the other side of the ball, Minnesota’s defense has quietly become one of the league’s most consistent units. The numbers back it up: top-10 in total yards allowed per game, sixth in third-down defense (holding opponents to just 35.8 percent conversions), and tied for second in red-zone defense, allowing touchdowns on only 45.5 percent of trips.
Over the past five games, the Vikings’ secondary has clamped down hard-holding opposing quarterbacks to a combined 800 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and a completion rate under 56 percent. That’s not just solid-it’s elite-level execution, especially for a team that’s had to weather injuries and inconsistency earlier in the year.
Sunday’s game also sets the stage for the Vikings’ final two matchups, both at home: a Christmas Day showdown with the division-leading Detroit Lions, and a Week 18 finale against the rival Green Bay Packers. While the postseason is off the table, how Minnesota finishes the season-particularly with a young quarterback under center and a defense trending upward-will go a long way in shaping the offseason narrative and 2026 expectations.
So while a faulty landing gear hatch may have briefly grounded the Vikings, the real story is still unfolding on the field. And for Minnesota, every snap from here on out matters.