The Minnesota Vikings are 11-2, a feat nobody saw coming just a few months ago. Kevin O’Connell is in the race for the Coach of the Year award, as his club has exceeded expectations, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores has created a defense hungry for takeaways.
5 Vikings Who Have Exceeded Expectations in 2024
Coaches are vital for triumph, and so are the players. Here are five men who have blown us away ‒ in no particular order.
1. Sam Darnold
After six seasons with Kirk Cousins, the franchise made the step toward a new era, acquiring J.J. McCarthy in the rookie draft and Sam Darnold in free agency. Veteran Darnold was supposed to be a placeholder, and folks speculated about the rookie taking over sooner rather than later.
A knee injury knocked McCarthy out for the season, and Darnold was handed the keys to the offense for the entire 2024 season. Through 13 games, he has thrown for 28 touchdowns and has surely entered starting-caliber territory for his next contract.
His playmaking ability has also unlocked the offense, and his top wideouts, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, have been feasting recently.
There was some concern about a potential dropoff from Cousins to Darnold, but he has been fantastic, and the Vikings believe they can beat anybody with him under center.
2. Byron Murphy Jr.
The cornerback group also underwent massive changes in the offseason. Minnesota signed Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin to complete the trio of veterans.
In his second year with the club, Byron Murphy Jr. has exploded, already producing six interceptions in 13 games. Playing cornerback in Flores’ scheme isn’t easy, and Murphy’s play in 2023 was up and down, but his 2024 year has earned him some Pro Bowl considerations, which would make him some money via incentives. His contract will expire after the season, and the Vikings should try to re-sign him.
3. Andrew Van Ginkel
Four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter also departed In free agency. The Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel as the new duo on the edges and have been one of the best tandems in the league. The difference is that everyone expected Greenard to be a solid top rusher, but Van Ginkel was a rotational player for the Dolphins and is now suddenly an outstanding weapon on defense.
Van Ginkel has registered nine sacks and a couple of pick-sixes in the 13 games after reuniting with Flores. He signed a two-year contract in free agency worth $20 million, but that’s shaping up to be one of the league’s best bargains.
4. Patrick Jones II
Despite Greenard’s and Van Ginkel’s greatness, backup Patrick Jones II has made a huge step in his fourth season in the league. Joining the Vikings as a third-round pick in 2021, Jones spent the first three seasons as a depth player but elevated into rotational status this year.
His career-high seven sacks should earn him a nice contract in free agency. In addition to his pass-rushing skills, he is a fantastic run defender, and that should just raise even more interest in him.
5. Brian O’Neill
Most attention was placed on Christian Darrisaw on the left side of the line, but after his injury, folks started to realize that veteran Brian O’Neill had been playing the best season of his career.
After ending each of the last two seasons with an injury, some expected a dropoff in play because of the continued issues. He also played in the shadow of Darrisaw’s excellence, but he has been better than ever and definitely deserves some Pro Bowl love, although it might be tough because the NFC is loaded at right tackle.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt