Most Valuable Player
Justin Jefferson, WR
The Minnesota Vikings 2025 season was frustrating. Much of those frustrations was seen weekly in the face of the face of the team. Justin Jefferson is the team’s best player. He’s the best receiver in the league and one of the best the league has ever seen. He’s a game-changer and too often this season he wasn’t given the chance to change games. The Vikings focused on fixing the offensive line in the offseason. They overhauled the interior. The five expected starters played a total of 83 snaps together. 83! That’s a robust number for a single game. It’s a tiny number for an entire season. Injuries forced the Vikings to start a different offensive line in nearly every game. Right guard Will Fries was the only offensive lineman that played every game. The offensive line injuries and the resulting inconsistencies were a big reason the Vikings offense struggled for much of the season. The quarterbacks were under siege. Starter J.J. McCarthy missed 7 games to three injuries. Backup Carson Wentz played most of his five games with a seriously injured left shoulder. It was an injury that ultimately required surgery and ended his season. Third-string Max Brosmer was forced to start two games and finish two other games. He wasn’t ready. All of those difficulties was easily seen in Jefferson’s frustrations this year. Far too often he was never given the opportunity to change games. His statistics reflected that. It’s actually remarkable that he was still able to pass 1000 receiving yards for the season. It might be more appropriate to award a defensive player the team’s MVP award. Or even the kicker. It can be argued that Will Reichard had the best season of any Vikings player. I’m going with Justin Jefferson for the leadership that he showed throughout a very difficult season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Will Fries, G
The Viking offense wasn’t good in 2025. Injuries throughout the offensive line were a big part of that. Will Fries was one of the big free agent signings of the offseason. He missed most of his final season with the Indianapolis Colts with a severely broken leg. Perhaps as a result of that, it might’ve taken a while to get his feet back under him this season. He improved with each week. Most importantly, he was the only offensive lineman that was available for every game. For that reason, he’s the Vikings Offensive Player of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year
Jalen Redmond, DL
As a rookie, Jalen Redmond was a revelation late last season. Going into this season, it felt like he’d have a significant rotational role on the defensive line. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were big free agent additions. Harrison Phillips was the team’s best run stuffer. A defensive line of Allen, Phillips, and Hargrave was expected to be a team strength. It became evident through training camp that Redmond was ready for an even bigger role. A much bigger role. He was performing so well that Phillips was deemed expendable and was traded to the New York Jets. Redmond earned a starting role. The Vikings defense eventually rounded into one of the league’s best. Jalen Redmond was a big reason for that. He was a Pro Bowl snub. Hopefully, the All-Pro voters will treat him more fairly. With six sacks, he was one of the league’s best interior pass rushers. His 62 tackles help show his impact against the run.
Jalen Redmond has emerged as one of the team’s defensive fixtures.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Will Reichard, K
The Vikings actually have some contenders for this award. Punter Ryan Wright had his best season. Rookie Myles Price emerged as an impact returner. Despite that, this is an easy one. Will Reichard had an absolutely ridiculous season. He was perfect on extra points. There’s an argument that he was also perfect on field goals. The record book will show that Reichard missed two field goals. His first miss of the season hit a camera wire in London. His second miss might’ve hit a camera wire. With a long of 62 yards, the Vikings are in Reichard’s range when they reach the 50-yard line.
The Vikings have a problematic kicking history. After two seasons with Will Reichard, I no longer cringe when the Vikings kicker comes on the field.
Rookie of the Year
Donovan Jackson, G
I thought that Donovan Jackson was terrific from the start. In reality, he had a steady rise through the season. Wrist surgery after the win over the Cincinnati Bengals kept him out of the international games. He also missed the Seattle Seahawks game. In his 14 games as a rookie, he played like the guard the Vikings have long sought. Jackson and Christian Darrisaw will form one of the best left sides in the league.
Offseason Addition of the Year
Eric Wilson, LB
The Vikings hit the free agency jackpot in 2024. The 2025 class didn’t have quite the impact but there are multiple contenders for this award. Running back Jordan Mason and guard Will Fries on offense. Linebacker Eric Wilson and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on defense. The decision is actually an easy one. When Eric Wilson was signed in the offseason it made for a nice story. He started his career in Minnesota in 2017. For four years, he was a very good special teams player and reliable backup on defense. The he left for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency and eventually found a home with a solid three-year run with the Green Bay Packers. His return to Minnesota was a nice homecoming. Blake Cashman’s injury in Week 1 put him on the field. He played so well that the Vikings couldn’t take him off. There were several games in which Wilson was the team’s most impactful defensive player. He was no longer just a reliable backup. He was an integral part of one of the league’s best defenses. His stats rank with the best off-the-ball linebackers in the league.
115 tackles
6.5 sacks
17 tackles for loss
4 forced fumbles
Signed as a supplemental player, Wilson played at a Pro Bowl/All-Pro level.
Assistant Coach of the Year
Brian Flores, Defensive Coordinator
This award is as easy as the Special Teams Player of the Year. After getting though some early injuries, the Vikings defense really hit their stride over the last half of the season. Over the past month, they might’ve been the league’s best defense. Brian Flores deserves another head coaching opportunity. My dream is that he’s the Vikings defensive coordinator for life.
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