And The Award Goes To…

The 2025 Minnesota Vikings’ season is officially over. Nine wins, eight losses, and a whole bunch of “what-ifs.” There was some good and some bad, but overall, given last year’s performance and September expectations, without a playoff berth, it’s impossible to call this campaign “successful.” Let’s say it was… passably enjoyable?

As we’re gearing up for the NFL honors and the traditional movie, television, and music awards season over the next few months, let me take a moment to present some of my personal awards for the Vikings’ season.

And the award goes to…

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: Will Reichard (PK)

Unless it’s 1982, your coach is Joe Gibbs, and your kicker is named Mark Moseley, this isn’t ideal. The Baby-Faced Assassin (h/t to “oofda”) with stellar hair was the epitome of consistency in a season defined by inconsistency everywhere you looked. A 94.3% success rate on field goals (33 for 35), with one of those misses more controversial than the recent Stranger Things series finale. Perfect on extra points for the season. Top 10 in points scored at the position, despite the Vikings ranking 28th in total yards. Nailing a franchise-record 62-yarder. The NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December.

Not since the 2009 NFC Championship Game have the Vikings been robbed so blatantly. Our hero was denied All-Pro honors. Heck, not even the Pro Bowl. At least he did make the Next Gen Stats 2025 All-Pro Team. Still, what a joke.

The good news? Historically, the terms kicker and heartbreak have gone together like peanut butter and jelly or Rick Spielman and 7th-rounders. We now have confidence that we may finally have found our Adam Vinatieri, or, at minimum, that we won’t have to enter high-pressure situations with that all-too-familiar feeling of perpetual dread.

Most Improved Player Award: Dallas Turner (OLB)

You can never have enough pass rushers, and the Vikings appear to have hit on a potential perennial Pro Bowl talent in Dallas Turner. None of this was guaranteed when the season began. The pressure was on, especially given the draft capital used to trade up to select him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fortunately, Brian Flores’s praise of Turner’s development in OTAs, minicamps, and training camp proved prescient. His snap count rose from 28% to 66% because Andrew Van Ginkel missed significant time early in the season, creating more opportunities later on. He finished the season with Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades of 83.6 and 72.2 against the Lions and Packers, respectively. Overall, Turner tallied eight sacks, 15 additional QB hits, four forced fumbles, 11 tackles for loss, and 66 combined tackles. He won’t even turn 23 until next month.

If trends hold, KAM has put together some solid first-round hits since 2022. While J.J. McCarthy remains a work in progress, Jordan Addison has been great, Dallas Turner has had his breakout season, and Donovan Jackson put together a solid rookie campaign despite battling multiple injuries. 

Breakout Player Award: Jalen Redmond (DL)

In a season of ups, downs, and some head-scratching moments, I’ve enjoyed nothing more this year than the feel-good story of Jalen Redmond. Given the age and salary cap considerations tied to the Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen signings, the defensive line was always going to be a glaring need heading into 2026. Instead of a five-alarm fire, Redmond now gives the Vikings some flexibility. It should still be an early priority in the draft, but now KAM can venture into Day 2 knowing he has an emerging star on the roster, should the board dictate that the Vikings go CB, safety, or center with the #18 overall pick.

In his 793 snaps, Redmond logged a 72.7 overall PFF grade for the season (22nd/134), recorded 35 pressures (25th/134), six sacks (11th/134), 42 solo tackles (9th/134), and a forced fumble for good measure. While we can’t proclaim that we’re looking at the next John Randle, it would surprise absolutely no one if Redmond makes the Pro Bowl next season. Likewise, an extension this offseason is well deserved.

Best Free Agent Signing Award: Eric Wilson (ILB)

Eric Wilson’s second stint with the Vikings was nothing short of fantastic. Originally signed to a 1-year, $2.6 million deal for what appeared to be veteran depth, he laughed in the idea’s face and had a career-best season. In 16 starts, Wilson recorded 115 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. He also made the Next Gen Stats 2025 All-Pro Team, which noted the following: Wilson’s 22.5% pressure rate was the highest by any player with 150+ pass rushes since 2022, his 4.4 yards per target allowed in coverage were the fewest among linebackers, and his 20 run stuffs were the third-most in the NFL.

Wilson was an outright menace for opposing offenses all season long. He fit Flores’s scheme brilliantly and seemed to be at or near the ball on every damn play. Like Redmond, he’s earned a nice raise this offseason – and hopefully it’s with the Vikings. Unlike Redmond, who is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA), Wilson is an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) and can sign anywhere. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and you’d think KAM and Rob Brzezinski will figure out a way to keep Wilson on the roster next season despite salary cap hurdles.

I’m So Glad This Guy is Our Best Player Award: Justin Jefferson (WR)

In a season marked by, let’s call it, “erratic” quarterback play, Justin Jefferson still managed 84 receptions and 1,048 yards. That’s impressive enough. But the reason I’m so grateful he’s on my favorite football team is the things you can’t ascribe numbers to. The leadership. Serving as the team’s mentor and motivator. Embodying the idea that saying the right things can be just as important as doing the right things. On and off the field, being the example young players aspire to emulate.

Jefferson had every reason to be frustrated by how this year played out. In the NFL, nothing is guaranteed. Sacrificing a season in his prime to spend valuable snaps as a decoy while a 22-year-old, first-time starter goes through developmental hiccups is the ultimate selfless move. I think J.J. McCarthy will be our QBOTF. I have a great deal of confidence in that, in fact. Is it a certainty? Absolutely not. What is guaranteed is that I know Justin Jefferson will do everything in his power to make that a reality, in word and deed. Let’s hope it’s a winning bet. Yeah, he’s earned it.