The Super Bowl matchup is set between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Rather than despair over the fact that the Vikings targeted both Sam Darnold and Drake Maye as their quarterbacks, I thought it would be helpful to analyze why these teams made it as far as they did. Following Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s firing, the team will be built in a completely new way starting this offseason. The Seahawks and Patriots fielded model rosters that the Vikings might look to replicate if they want to be in the same position as them next season.
Building the Defense
Brian Flores’ return means this defense will still be a force to be reckoned with. Last season, the Vikings held opposing teams to the 2nd-fewest passing yards per game and the 21st-fewest rushing yards per game. The interior defensive line has been a problem for the Vikings for quite some time, and this offseason would be a great time to fix it. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave may or may not be on the roster next year, but the Vikings should invest in a defensive tackle regardless. Players like Milton Williams for the Patriots and Byron Murphy II for the Seahawks are proof that game-changing defensive tackles win games. What’s more, the Patriots’ defense was so dominant in the AFC Conference Championship that Drake Maye only had to throw for 86 yards to pull off a win. If that kind of load were taken off the Vikings’ quarterback position, the team’s road to a Super Bowl would come much easier.
Steady QB Play
This is much easier said than done, but the Vikings need stability at quarterback. Maye and Darnold were both healthy and consistent throughout the season, something the Vikings were lacking last season with J.J. McCarthy. Consistency does not equal perfection, as both Maye and Sam Darnold had their share of less-than-stellar performances. Balancing the bad with the good is crucial, and rising to the occasion in the playoffs is essential.
A Dynamic Running Game
Kenneth Walker and Rhamondre Stevenson have been game changers for the Super Bowl teams. They both provide something that the Vikings have lacked in recent seasons: down-to-down production and home-run ability. The Vikings had decent down-to-down production with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason last season, but the home run ability is definitely not there with the aging Jones and power back Mason. RB should be one of the Vikings’ highest priorities in the draft, but the scheme also has a lot to do with it. Kevin O’Connell has yet to figure out the running game, and if the Vikings want to take that next step, they’ll need to not only “figure out” the running game but master it.
Solid Offensive Line Play
In the wildcard game against the Rams last season, the Vikings’ offensive line crumbled, and they suffered a blowout loss as a result. This year, with Darnold at quarterback, the Seahawks dominated the Rams offensively thanks to stellar offensive line play and an improved Darnold. Offensive line makes all the difference for a quarterback and run game, so the Vikings need to get it figured out, and they need to do it fast. Letting offensive line coach Chris Kuper go was a step of sorts, but there’s still work to be done. The pieces are there with Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill. The center position is still in flux, but this offensive line has enough talent to be great. Now, it all comes down to proper coaching and adjustments at the line.
Special Teams is Huge
The Rams were gaining momentum and might be playing in the Super Bowl next week if not for a huge muffed punt in the third quarter. Rashid Shaheed’s numerous big returns got the Seahawks to the NFC Conference Championship in the first place. Marcus Jones was a huge contributor to the Patriots’ success in the return game this season. No matter where you look, you see major plays being made by special teams specialists on these contending teams. The Vikings, on the other hand, lost a crucial game against the Bears on a huge punt return at the end of the game that effectively ended their season. They also suffered numerous penalties that negated big returns and costly turnovers that shifted the momentum of the game. Myles Price is a solid young returner, and the Vikings need to figure out how to maximize their special teams if they want to be real contenders in 2026. On the bright side, the Vikings have Will Reichard, who has been a beacon of consistency at the kicker position.
The Vikings have a long way to go if they want to reach the heights of the Seahawks and Patriots, and they have a single offseason to reach them. This is a team that is stuck in a sort of purgatory until they get over that hump and win a playoff game. By fixing these issues, they could make a serious run at playing in February next season, and it all starts this offseason with crucial decisions in both free agency and the draft.
