The Minnesota Vikings had high expectations heading into this season after coming up one win short of earning the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed in 2024. The quarterback reins were handed over to 2024 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy , who was lost for his rookie year after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener. A spending spree took place in free agency where upgrading the offensive line (offensive guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly ) and interior of the defensive line ( Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave ) were the priorities.
Despite McCarthy's lack of game experience, he only took 12 offensive snaps in the 2025 preseason. By contrast 2024's 12th overall pick, Bo Nix , who was on the field for 98.73% of the Denver Broncos ' offensive plays in 20

CBS Sports

Rockford Register Star
The Poughkeepsie Journal
KSNB Local4 Central Nebraska
Columbia Daily Tribune Sports
Essentiallysports College Sports
WRDW-TV News 12
Newsday
The Oregonian Public Safety
KSL NewsRadio
The Columbian Sports
The Babylon Bee