MINNESOTA VIKINGS

 

Finally, established in 1961 as an expansion team to the NFL and the NFC conference, the Vikings gave Minnesotans a team to rally around. In Minnesota, football has always meant more. The Vikings serve as an embodiment of Minnesotans, contrary to preconceived notions of “Minnesota nice”, through their grit, unwillingness to be knocked down, mental and physical fortitude, and a deep love and passion for the things that mean the most. Of all the teams on this list, the Minnesota Vikings belong here the least. And the most. At a first glance, many would say, “Wait… how can the Vikings be on this list? Isn't that the team that had the Purple People Eaters? Fran “the Man” Tarkenton”? Alan Page? Randy Moss? Adrian Peterson?” Throughout their existence in this league, the Vikings have always boasted supreme talent on both sides of the ball, as well as superior coaching with the likes of the late, great Hall of Famer Bud Grant serving as Head Coach of the team for 18 years. The team has gone to the playoffs a total of 32 times, which is more than any team to never win a Super Bowl. They have won 21 division titles, more than any NFC North counterparts, including the 4 time Super Bowl champ Green Bay Packers. The team has even been to the Super Bowl 4 times! When looking at a team that has had this level of success and this level of talent, it is absolutely bizarre to think that they went 0 for 4 in those Super Bowls. It is even more bizarre to realize that, in terms of the only statistic that matters, they are on the same level as the relatively new and dysfunctional Carolina Panthers and the historically disgusting Detroit Lions. It is because of this that the Minnesota Vikings are the team that belongs on this list the most. What will it take for a team that has had so much talent and so much opportunity to finally win the only game that matters? The Vikings teams of the 1970’s with 4 Super Bowl appearances had the perfect formula for success that worked all the way up until each of those Super Bowl Sundays. Led by legendary Head Coach Bud Grant, the team developed a “Championship mentality”. During the run in the 70’s the Vikings learned how to practice, perform, and think like champions. The Purple People Eaters were feared around the league for their dominance and brutality to any and all who opposed them. The defensive line of Alan Page, Jim Marshall, Carl Eller, and Gary Larsen represented the attitude and fight of the whole team during this era of Viking dominance. 

 

Despite the “Championship mentality” adopted by the team and elite coaching and level of player execution (Fran Tarkenton was instrumental in the Vikings success, leading the team at the QB position for 3 of the 4 Super Bowl appearances), the team could never finish the job. In fact, they never really even come close. The closest margin of defeat was 10 points (6-16 to the Pittsburgh Steelers SB IX, 1975). No overtime losses, no last second field goals or touchdowns, no controversy. Each of the four times the Vikings lost, it was clear who the better team was. The underlying reason for these losses, despite the level of talent and coaching, is speculative but perhaps useful for thinking about what it will take for future Vikings teams to not make the same mistakes as the teams from the 70’s. A “Championship mentality” works for a team as long as the lines between confidence and arrogance don’t get blurred. When lack of execution on simple plays leads to turnovers and costly errors, it can be indicative of a team that is overly confident. Sustained success leads to a decreased sense of importance in the small, sometimes most important, things. For the Vikings teams of the future, humility is the key. With the current leadership and player personnel, this should not be a problem. As a matter of fact, many things about the current Minnesota Vikings offer a lot to be hopeful about.

 

Replicating the success of 70’s Minnesota Vikings teams, the first and most important thing is coaching. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has established himself as a worthy coach to hold the same title as Coach Bud Grant. Leading his team to 34 wins in his first three seasons, and winning the Coach of the Year award in 2025, it is abundantly obvious that Coach O’Connell knows how to coach. Apart from coaching, the Vikings boast the best WR (and perhaps player) in the game with stud wideout Justin Jefferson. Jefferson leads a top-rated offensive unit that includes the likes of young star WR Jordan Addision, top TE TJ Hockenson, and a scary RB duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. A lot about the Vikings offensive success this year will depend on the play of their second year QB JJ McCarthy. In his first year back from injury, and first year being active in the NFL, the former first-rounder will have every opportunity to be successful with an outstanding supporting cast around him, as well as quarterback whisperer Kevin O’Connell right beside him.The team is also in good shape defensively with Brian Flores coming back as Defensive Coordinator and with a revamped and star-studded defensive unit. Players like Harrison Smith and Jonathan Greenard will be returning and others such as DLs Jonathan Allen and Javone Hargrave were signed this offseason. When examining this team with a revamped and beefy defensive line as well as great talent on the offensive side of the ball, this 2025 team looks eerily similar to the Vikings teams of old that brought the team to its 4 Superbowls. The only problem is that no one wants another 70’s Vikings team. It does no one any good for the statistic to go from 0-4 to 0-5. 

 

The solution to this problem is, once again, Kevin O’Connell. To anyone who has watched and kept up with the Vikings for the past three years, it is clear that KOC is the answer. From completing the greatest comeback of all time (down 33-0 against the Indianapolis Colts in ‘22) to rallying the team to a W with backup QB Josh Dobbs signed two days before, Kevin O’Connell has proven time and time again that he can lead and motivate this team. Just like any of the players, KOC will continue to learn and get better with experience, a scary thought for the other 31 teams in the League. Combine KOC’s special ability to lead and rally his team with the team’s supreme talents and add in success from JJ McCarthy may create the perfect recipe for the Vikings to do what they couldn’t do in the 70’s and over their 54 years in the league. Bury the ghost and take their rightful seat at the table.