The 2024 NFL just ended, but that isn’t going to prevent analysts from predicting the 2025 season. Sure, free agency and the draft haven’t happened yet. Heck, we haven’t even gotten to the combine. But in this impatient world, people need other people to always make grandstanding statements.
ESPN isn’t above this, which may or may not be news to you. They had 13 analysts, and experts predict next year’s Super Bowl winner, MVP, breakout candidate, regression candidate, and one off-season “wish list” move.
The Minnesota Vikings were only mentioned in one category, but they were a popular choice in that category. Three panelists chose the Vikings as the team most likely to take a step back in 2025.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: Vikings. A slight step back. They will remain playoff-caliber, but it’s tough to replicate a 14-win season when several key free agents are poised to leave and the offense could be breaking in a new quarterback.
Jason Reid, Andscape senior NFL writer: Vikings. So many things went right for them in 2024. It’s difficult to imagine they will have as many things break their way, especially with a potential change at quarterback.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst: Vikings. Sam Darnold played extremely well in 2024. But whether it’s him or J.J. McCarthy as the starter in 2025, it will be hard to replicate that kind of quarterback success.
Seeing your favorite team make a list like this is not fun, but it’s hard to argue right now. Aside from losing Christian Darrisaw in Week 8, the Vikings had incredible luck avoiding injuries in 2024. Part of that could be attributed to making changes to the training staff last off-season, but luck is part of it, as football is a violent, dangerous sport.
We also don’t know what to expect from McCarthy in 2025. Everything we’ve heard since the season ended is that he should be ready for training camp, but he will also be a first-time starter. Until we see him perform on the field, assuming he’ll play as well as Darnold did in 2025 is a tall task.
Even if all these experts are correct and the Vikings do take a step back in 2025, that doesn’t necessarily mean they had a bad season or missed the playoffs. Going 10-7 or 9-8 could still get them into the postseason. And if McCarthy shows flashes of being a franchise quarterback, then any regression in wins and losses will be forgivable.
It should be noted the Vikings weren’t the only popular choice to regress. The Detroit Lions also received three votes, with concern regarding them losing both coordinators. And, like the Vikings, the analysts see repeating 14 wins as a tall task.