That strong regular season did not translate into a division crown or a deeper postseason run, as Minnesota settled for a runner-up spot in the NFC North and watched the Lions claim the title in Week 18.
The Vikings’ season effectively ended on the road in the Wild Card round, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams, halting their postseason for that year.
In the offseason, Minnesota made a high-profile decision to let quarterback Sam Darnold depart in free agency, betting that second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy would be ready to take the reins. McCarthy’s injury-plagued and uneven performance contributed to an 8-9 finish and a third-place tie in the division.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged the complexity of that choice, saying that while the results did not unfold as hoped, he still understands why the team acted as it did and believes there were places where execution could have improved the outcome. The candid reflections underscored the ongoing evaluation of the decision-making process.
Looking ahead, Minnesota is expected to add a veteran quarterback to compete with McCarthy for the QB1 role, as the organization aims to balance long-term development with a more immediate path to competitive success. The offseason plan centers on strengthening the quarterback position while evaluating the roster to maximize the core talent surrounding McCarthy.
