Despite Risk Aplenty, The Vikings Pushed their Chips into the Middle of the Table

How the Vikings Pushed their Chips into the Middle of the Table

Now, that’s not to say that Mr. Adofo-Mensah didn’t miss the mark. Few could insist he was perfect. He didn’t secure any of Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, or Aaron Rodgers. He could have kept Nick Mullens but instead let him skedaddle for an opportunity to become a Jaguar. The broader talent that was out there in free agency was allowed to find employment essentially everywhere except Minnesota, leading to a late-April scenario where just J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien were options.

So, there were some issues, even with the adds of Sam Howell and Max Brosmer. McCarthy’s offseason competition was more of a coronation alongside some clunky messaging from the team that refused to acknowledge that reality.

Presumably, a major reason why Adofo-Mensah had confidence was due to his head coach. Widely regarded as a “quarterback whisperer,” Coach O’Connell was going to turn McCarthy into a franchise quarterback. Nobody expected that to be instantaneous, instead hoping for a game manager in those early weeks before improving through the season. A broad collection of factors — McCarthy getting hurt, the o-line losing a ton of snaps to injury, refusing to run, and so on — hindered what had been hoped for from the passing attack.

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The Vikings didn’t cut every key decision maker. Instead, there was the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel to extract one central leader (Kwesi Adofo-Mensah) while rallying around the other (Kevin O’Connell). Since then, the Vikings have given this head coach all he could reasonably demand.

Coming back are Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Trade theories circulated around each one. With Jefferson, the thinking was that his all-world talent is being squandered; with Addison, the thinking was that he’s one more off-field issue away from putting the franchise in an extremely difficult position. They’re going to be the team’s WR1 and WR2 in 2026.

Rounding out the crew is Jauan Jennings, someone who could be the NFL’s top WR3. He’s a well-built guy who relishes blocking. So, too, is he someone who knows how to score. Inserting him into that offense beside Jefferson and Addison feels unfair to defensive backs everywhere. That’s the point, isn’t it?

Going into March, RB1 Aaron Jones and TE1 T.J. Hockenson were common cut candidates. Neither got subtracted. Instead, Rob Brzezinski found a way to make the money work, trimming their compensation along the way.

The purple cherry on top has been the signing of Kyler Murray. Getting the former Cardinal into the mix creates a scenario where the Vikings have zero excuses for not boasting a dominant offense. Sure, Murray isn’t perfect, but he’s better than most and playing for $1.3 million.

If Kevin O’Connell can’t get one of his four quarterbacks to be fantastic, then there’s a major problem in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) discusses strategy with head coach Kevin O’Connell on Sep 14, 2025, during first-half play against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The two reviewed adjustments on the sideline as the rookie continued gaining command of the offense under O’Connell’s guidance in the early stages of his first NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

In terms of an identity, the Vikings pushed the roster to a point where being multiple shouldn’t be a problem.

Look for O’Connell to construct a high-flying, nightmare-inducing juggernaut of an offense that carves up a secondary. All of the firepower insists that’s where this thing is going. Or, at least, where it needs to go.

Note, as well, that Max Bredeson got added to help the Vikings play bully ball. So was Demond Claiborne hired to give the ground attack a home-run hitter. The versatile, tough FB alongside the three runners — Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Demond Claiborne — are meant to ensure Kevin O’Connell has no excuse.

Oh, and then there’s the offensive line. The tackle tandem of Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill is the envy of most of the NFL. Donovan Jackson and Will Fries have the potential to be very good. The center position does have questions, but there is a sturdy amount of competition. The combo of Ryan Van Demark and Caleb Tiernan ensures the depth is formidable, guarding against a sunk offense if injuries hit again.

Kevin O’Connell has coached the Minnesota Vikings since 2022. His side of the ball has finished 8th, 22nd, 9th, and 26th in points per game, coinciding perfectly with the health of the passers (as O’Connell is quick to point out). The back-and-forth nature of things needs to get solved, especially since the good years still involved getting walloped in the playoffs as the offense proved unable to rise to the challenge of playoff football.

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay shake hands after the NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.

In rallying around Kevin O’Connell, a gamble is being made. Supporting that approach has been a robust effort to build the roster in a certain way, collecting an embarrassment of riches for the offense.

No time like the present to have an elite crew that becomes the reason the Vikings experience real success.