The performance numbers illustrate the drop-off. In 2024, Minnesota ranked 13th in scoring rate (41.4%), 12th in points per drive (2.16), 6th in passing yards per game (237.8), and posted a 6.4% passing touchdown rate with a 50.8% dropback success rate. In 2025, the Vikings fell to 29th in passing (188.7 yards per game), 28th in dropback success (41.9%), and 27th in passing touchdown rate (3.7%), while points per drive slipped to 1.82.
The decline was felt in the most visible place on the roster: Justin Jefferson’s production. He finished with 1,048 receiving yards and just two touchdowns after playing all 17 games, marking career lows in both categories. His per-game average dropped from about 98.2 yards over 2021–2024 to roughly 61.6 yards in the recent season.
Despite fielding one of the league’s better defenses, Minnesota’s overall trajectory suffered. The team went from a 14–3 record with a plus-100 point differential to 9–8 with a plus-11 differential. The defense remained strong, but the offense’ drop in scoring and efficiency erased much of the value provided by the unit on the other side of the ball.
Going into the offseason, Minnesota is not fully committed to its top draft pick from 2024 while signaling that a viable starter will be brought in to compete. The organization appears prepared to pursue a quarterback option that can challenge the current framework, with ongoing assessments and a focus on strengthening the position ahead of 2026.
