Overview
- Minnesota declined to franchise-tag Sam Darnold and named first-round pick J.J. McCarthy its 2025 starter under coach Kevin O’Connell’s three-year development plan.
- McCarthy, who sat out last year recovering from a torn meniscus, will have to establish rapport with stars Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
- The Vikings addressed key needs by adding depth to their secondary and reinforcing the offensive line through free agency and the draft.
- Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton leads a consensus that Minnesota will hover around a 9-8 record and could finish last in the strengthened NFC North.
- MGM’s over/under win total of 8.5 (–150 over, +125 under) underscores the team’s wide variance of possible outcomes in 2025.