During much of the 2025 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings were one of the most disappointing teams in the league. After posting a 14-3 record in 2024, the team dealt with injury and regression issues at multiple important positions, and were 4-8 at one point.
But a five game winning streak to finish out the regular season as instilled a bit of optimism heading into the offseason. There are still plenty of questions that Kevin O’Connell’s team has to answer in the coming months, and we take a look at three of the most important:
Q1: Does JJ McCarthy Get Full Confidence For 2026?
JJ McCarthy missed the entirety of his rookie season due to injuries, and the issues persisted in 2025. The young quarterback started just 10 games and finished even fewer, and wasn’t all that impressive in the limited chances that he was given. He threw more interceptions (13) than he did touchdowns (12) in 2025, and averaged fewer passing yards per game than Kirk Cousins and Spencer Rattler.
If the Vikings want to capitalize on their current roster, it may be in the team’s best interest to move on. Would they be in the market for a trade for a veteran? If guys like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson do indeed become available, Minnesota could (and should) be one of the first teams in line.
Q2: Can The Offensive Line Be Fixed?
Perhaps the worst overall unit for the Vikings was their offensive line. They not only allowed the fourth-most sacks of any team in the league, but their rushing attack ranked in the bottom 10 as well. If the team wants to ensure success for their quarterback by keeping him upright (whoever it may be), Minnesota will need to make upgrading the front line a top priority this offseason.
It won’t be easy to do. Of the 13 offensive linemen that the Vikings had on their payroll in 2025, 11 of them are under contract for at least another season, meaning that trades or tough financial decisions could be on the horizon.
Q3: Will Brian Flores Need To Be Replaced?
The Vikings have had one of the top defenses in the league over the past couple of seasons, and their coordinator has been one of the major reasons. Since arriving in Minnesota, Brian Flores has led his unit to a top-10 finish in terms of points allowed, and has been widely praised for his work in doing so.
There are rumors that Flores could be garnering some attention on the head coaching front. He has experience in the position, and had middling results with a 24-25 in his three years with the Miami Dolphins. If he does take a new job, the Vikings will lose one of the most important aspects of their team, and any successor will have big shoes to fill in 2026.
