Minnesota Vikings
One of the final unbeaten teams last season (before losing in Week 7 to the Lions), this was a team that hung tough and punched well above what anyone would have given them credit for after losing their rookie QB in training camp.
On trots Sam Darnold, playing for his fourth team, and he just goes out and has a monster season, especially compared to expectations, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record. With J.J. McCarthy healed up and ready to take the helm, and Darnold off to Seattle...
How well does the offense transition to its third quarterback in three years?
After Kirk Cousins walked away after the 2023 season, and renting Darnold last year, now Minnesota looks to establish McCarthy as the team's quarterback of the future. While unlooked for, JJMC got the now-rare rookie season on the bench to learn from a veteran.
He'll be throwing to one of the top receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson, and they also added 3rd rounder Tai Felton to their receiving corps. In addition, WRs Jalen Nailor and Jordan Addison, and TE T.J. Hockenson, should also help give him some additional outlets.
The Vikings retained OC Wes Phillips with a contract extension this offseason, but it'll be HC Kevin O'Connell, last year's Coach of the Year, who will be calling the plays. There's honestly not much to knock the Vikings' offense for heading into the new year (with the exception of their front line, discussed next), so McCarthy sits in one of the best possible situations for a rookie QB.
The Vikings had problems with their offensive line. Did they fix them?
The weakness for the Vikings' offense last season was their front five, who struggled both in the run game and against teams with more complex defensive looks. Last year, they gave up 49 sacks, tied with the Steelers for 9th-most for the season. In addition, Minnesota's rushers combined for 1,855 yards on the ground, good enough for 19th in the league.
To help shore up their line, they brought on C Ryan Kelly and RG Will Fries, both from the Colts, and selected LG Donovan Jackson in the first round of this year's draft. With LT Christian Darrisaw back on the field and RT Brian O'Neill coming back from being a lone bright spot on the line, they have a chance at seeing some improvement.