The Pressure Just Ramped Up for Three Vikings

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The Pressure Just Ramped Up for Three Vikings

The Pressure Just Ramped Up for Three Vikings

Adam New · Vikings Territory

Wed, Jan 28, 2026 ·

3 min read

Minnesota 's 2026 Timeline Tightened for Three Key Figures

After a 13-win season with apparent bridge QB Sam Darnold , the Vikings were unwilling to match the offer from the Seattle Seahawks , and now Darnold and Seattle are heading to the Super Bowl. There were valid reasons for Minnesota's decision, but Darnold's continued success is a bad look for the Vikings.

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

The decision the Vikings made last year is under greater scrutiny than ever this week, and rightly so. Adofo-Mensah has made several mistakes during his tenure as Vikings GM, while Kevin O'Connell's reputation has gone from QB whisperer and coach of the year to questioning if he was ever actually good — such is life in modern professional sport. The pressure has been ratcheted up a notch on the two main men in Minnesota.

Bad Decisions Confounded

It wasn't just Darnold who slipped through the net; Daniel Jones saw a better opportunity in Indianapolis and was having as much success as Darnold until injury struck. Jones won eight of his first 10 games as the Colts ' QB before a couple of close defeats against Kansas City and Houston , and then a torn Achilles tendon against Jacksonville ended his (and the Colts') season.

Of course, there was J.J. McCarthy 's performance in 2025. Hampered again by injuries that caused him to miss seven games, McCarthy struggled massively until finally showing some signs of development during the home stretch. With a lot of help from the Vikings' defense, McCarthy finished the season with five wins and an overall win-loss record of 9-8.

J.J. McCarthy reacts with Mike Sainristil after a game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame moment with Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, Dec 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. The exchange came after a closely contested matchup, capturing McCarthy's visible reaction as Minnesota navigated late-season stakes and quarterback evaluations. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

He finished the season with 1632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with a completion percentage of just 57.6. His last five games saw a completion percentage north of 60, which was the improvement needed. In isolation, McCarthy's performance is cause for concern, but there are some signs of possible improvement. However, the figure of Darnold will cast a long shadow in Minnesota this year.

The Next Step Already Here?

So far, Brian Flores has interviewed for two head coaching positions that went to other candidates. Meanwhile, he signed a new, big contract to remain the Vikings' defensive coordinator . As long as no new teams approach Flores, he will be back in Minnesota for 2026.

With the good jobs ( Baltimore and Pittsburgh ) off the board, perhaps Flores is happy to bide his time in Minnesota rather than put his name forward for the likes of Las Vegas or Cleveland ?

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks off the field after their 27-9 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale. © Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Pure speculation on my part, but Flores is smart enough to know that O'Connell is under pressure for his offense to deliver next season. If he fails to do so, and Flores continues to put forward a top-level defense. There's every chance that O'Connell is relieved of his duties, and Flores would be in pole position to step up into the big job.

The pressure is on for Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell, and McCarthy to perform in 2026.