Since Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over as general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, the term “competitive rebuild” has followed him like a shadow. The plan was never to go into a full rebuild, especially with star players like Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw already in the fold. The goal was always to remain competitive while simultaneously keeping an eye on the future.
Well, the future has arrived. After a remarkable 14-3 season, the Vikings now view themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders—and it’s hard to argue with that. Their wins felt more substantial than the 13-4 season of 2022, and they addressed their biggest weaknesses by strengthening the trenches. If J.J. McCarthy, their presumed starting quarterback, is ready to roll, the Vikings are all in for 2025.
While the competitive part of the rebuild is firmly in place, the question arises: Does this still qualify as a rebuild? The Vikings’ offseason strategy seems anything but typical for a rebuilding team. Sure, Minnesota’s young core is solid, with key players like McCarthy (22), edge rusher Dallas Turner (22), and wide receiver Jordan Addison (23) filling essential roles. Add in top contributors like Jefferson, Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard, T.J. Hockenson, Byron Murphy, Josh Metellus, and Will Fries—all in the 26 to 28 age range—and it feels like the Vikings are set up for long-term success.
However, the Vikings have also leaned heavily on veteran players this offseason. New additions such as Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Ryan Kelly are all over 30, and so are returning players like Harrison Smith and Aaron Jones. Together, these veterans make up nearly a third of the starting lineup, leaving the Vikings with seven starters over the age of 30.
That said, the Vikings’ draft outlook for 2025 doesn’t help their case for a traditional rebuild. With limited draft capital after trading up to secure high-upside talent like McCarthy and Turner, their focus seems to be on maximizing the present. They’re light on picks this year, with just a first, third, fifth, and sixth-round selection. And with trades for Cam Robinson and Cam Akers, they may have already started looking beyond 2025.
So, the real question is: Can the Vikings continue the “competitive rebuild” mantra moving forward?
If they want to maintain this approach, they’ll need their scouts to hit on draft picks, whether they stay at the 24th overall selection or opt to trade down for a greater quantity of picks. The 2022 draft, which did not yield many immediate contributors, and Mekhi Blackmon’s knee injury may make 2023 another uncertain year for Minnesota’s draft success. If McCarthy and Turner don’t pan out, that could further hurt the team’s depth and development.
In addition to hitting on young talent, Minnesota’s success hinges on the big bets they’ve made. McCarthy needs to evolve into more than just a game manager, and Turner must live up to his potential. Even then, the Vikings may need to get creative with their draft capital, possibly trading players like Jordan Addison for future picks, à la Stefon Diggs.
Or perhaps, the Vikings don’t need to worry about future picks at all. With a Super Bowl-caliber team already in place, why not go all in on the McCarthy rookie window and worry about the future when it arrives? This “F— Them Picks” approach could work—after all, a Super Bowl win makes everything worthwhile. If Minnesota can get over the hump and capture a Lombardi Trophy, no one will care about the consequences down the road.
But Minnesota isn’t just looking for a brief window of success. The pieces are in place for them to be a perennial contender, especially with elite coach Kevin O’Connell at the helm. O’Connell’s leadership, his one-score game success, and his ability to maximize his roster make him an invaluable asset. With Jefferson, a Hall of Fame-caliber player, on the roster, and McCarthy potentially thriving under O’Connell’s tutelage, the Vikings could have a core capable of competing for nearly a decade.
However, the Vikings’ long-term success depends on continuing to support that core after McCarthy’s rookie contract expires. Teams with elite coaches, like Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, and Andy Reid, have been able to avoid prolonged slumps and consistently draft well, which keeps their rosters competitive. Minnesota has excelled in drafting during the mid-2000s to 2020, but 2022 and 2023 have not been their strongest drafts. If McCarthy and Turner fail to make an impact, the Vikings could experience a steep decline as the roster ages, potentially undermining O’Connell’s tenure.
While the “competitive rebuild” is clearly in motion, Adofo-Mensah’s challenge isn’t over. He must find the delicate balance between building for the future and competing for championships. The limited draft picks and trades already made make this a challenging task, but if the Vikings want more than just a couple of playoff runs, they’ll need to stay committed to the competitive rebuild for sustained success.
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