Among the five Vikings questions for the NFL Combine, Darnold’s market and McCarthy’s benchmarks

The NFL Combine, an annual event that draws together the best collegiate football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft, is always an exciting time for teams, scouts, and fans alike. It offers an opportunity for the league’s top talent to showcase their physical skills, mental acumen, and readiness to make the jump to the professional level. For the Minnesota Vikings, as they prepare for a crucial offseason with a mix of personnel decisions and future goals, the Combine serves as an essential piece of their puzzle.

Alongside the usual questions about who the Vikings will draft, how they can improve on both sides of the ball, and their overall strategy, there are some significant individual questions to address as the team navigates the Combine and the broader NFL landscape. From pondering potential trades and acquisitions to figuring out which specific areas to address with their picks, the Vikings are likely to have their hands full. Add to this the evolving dynamics of quarterback Sam Darnold’s market and head coach Mike McCarthy’s benchmark-setting approach with the Dallas Cowboys, and it’s clear that the NFL Combine won’t be just about testing physical traits.

Here are the five biggest questions surrounding the Minnesota Vikings as they approach the NFL Combine, including a look at Sam Darnold’s market, how McCarthy’s bench-building is influencing the Cowboys, and the challenges facing the Vikings as they work to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving NFC.

1. How Will the Vikings Address the Quarterback Position?

The Vikings enter the offseason with the ever-present question of whether they can compete with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback. Although Cousins remains a competent, established player, there are growing whispers about whether the team should look for a younger option to either compete for the starting role or eventually replace him.

Cousins, who will turn 36 by the time the 2025 season starts, still has productive seasons left, but the team’s long-term future may rely on finding a successor sooner rather than later. With Minnesota holding a pick in the middle of the first round, a quarterback like Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, or Hendon Hooker could be intriguing prospects to watch at the Combine. A decision will need to be made on whether the Vikings will move forward with Cousins or whether the time has come to draft a potential successor.

At the Combine, scouts and Vikings decision-makers will have their eyes on quarterbacks’ physical and mental preparation. How each top quarterback performs in front of coaches and evaluators will be crucial for the team’s decision-making process. Given the rising expectations in the NFC North, a viable option to succeed Cousins is essential for the Vikings to keep pace with the division’s other teams, notably the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, who are both evolving and improving their rosters.

The Vikings’ quarterback position will dominate the conversation both before and after the Combine, with eyes fixed on how the team assesses its needs and which path it takes. Whether the Vikings choose to draft a young quarterback or bolster other areas and keep Cousins for the near future, it’s one of the most pivotal questions heading into the 2025 NFL season.

2. What Is the Plan for the Defense?

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense was the subject of much scrutiny in 2024, particularly for its inability to stop opponents at crucial moments. Although the Vikings had one of the league’s top offenses, it was clear that their defense needed significant improvements to compete with the best teams in the NFC.

During the 2024 season, Minnesota ranked 25th in total defense, allowing 371 yards per game. Their defensive line and secondary struggled with consistency, and they gave up too many big plays in critical moments. With that in mind, how the Vikings handle their defensive needs at the Combine will be key.

The Vikings could look to bolster the defensive line with a player who can generate pressure on the quarterback, or they may target another cornerback or safety to shore up their secondary. This is a particularly important question given the strength of the offenses in the NFC, such as those of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, who both made deep playoff runs in 2024.

At the Combine, expect to see top defensive prospects showcasing their abilities to make an immediate impact. For the Vikings, finding a standout pass rusher or a cornerback capable of matching up against the best wide receivers in the NFC will be a priority. The Combine is the perfect venue to evaluate the traits of the defense’s potential future stars, whether they are linebackers, edge rushers, or defensive backs.

3. Will the Vikings Make a Play for Sam Darnold?

While the Vikings have a reliable, veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins, the broader NFL landscape is quickly shifting in favor of younger, mobile quarterbacks. As a result, some teams are exploring alternatives to their current quarterback setups, and Sam Darnold is among the more intriguing options available.

After a rocky start to his career with the New York Jets, Darnold seemed to find his footing with the Carolina Panthers and more recently with the San Francisco 49ers. While he’s not yet a proven top-tier quarterback, Darnold has shown flashes of potential, particularly under the tutelage of head coach Kyle Shanahan. His performance in 2024, when he stepped in for injured 49ers starter Brock Purdy, demonstrated that Darnold could be capable of succeeding in a structured, efficient offense.

Given that the Vikings are likely weighing all their quarterback options, Darnold could be a logical addition if they decide to find a younger backup with starting potential. This would allow Minnesota to preserve flexibility in their future quarterback decisions and ensure that they’re not locked into a single approach, particularly as Cousins’ contract continues to dwindle.

At the Combine, the Vikings may also look at Darnold’s market to gauge whether they can sign him as a cost-effective option to serve as a potential backup, or even a challenger to Cousins. Teams that need a fresh face at quarterback may come calling for Darnold’s services, but given his age (26) and experience, he could represent a long-term option for Minnesota at a much lower cost than trading up for a top rookie quarterback.

4. How Will Mike McCarthy’s Benchmarks Affect the Cowboys and Vikings?

Mike McCarthy’s leadership in Dallas has been under close scrutiny since he took over the Cowboys’ head coaching duties. Following a successful run with the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy was expected to bring a championship mentality to Dallas. While the Cowboys have remained competitive in the NFC, McCarthy’s bench-building approach has raised some eyebrows.

McCarthy’s impact on the NFL has been substantial, particularly with his emphasis on adapting his offense and play-calling strategies to the evolving demands of the NFL. His decision to incorporate more diverse formations, alignments, and skill players was a focal point during the Cowboys’ growth into legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

However, the question for McCarthy heading into 2025 and beyond is how his approach will affect the team’s overall roster construction, and more importantly, how it will influence the Vikings’ pursuit of a similar championship-winning formula. The NFC is becoming increasingly competitive, with teams like the Eagles, 49ers, and Cowboys establishing themselves as consistent playoff contenders. The Vikings are in the process of determining how to build a roster that can match up against these top-tier teams.

The Combine will be a vital opportunity for the Vikings to evaluate players who may fit McCarthy’s benchmarks of size, versatility, and mental toughness. McCarthy’s ability to adapt his team to a championship-level offensive identity will undoubtedly be a topic of interest for Minnesota’s decision-makers as they look to match or surpass the Cowboys’ progress in the coming seasons.

5. What Are the Vikings’ Long-Term Plans for the Offensive Line?

Finally, no discussion of the Vikings’ future is complete without considering the team’s offensive line. While the Vikings have talent on offense, the line has been inconsistent, and in a division with powerful defensive units, improving up front will be critical.

The Vikings will likely use the NFL Combine to assess prospects who can add depth and stability to their line, whether through the draft or free agency. They may consider a tackle or guard to compete for starting positions or provide quality depth for the future. As the Vikings focus on securing their future quarterback, improving the offensive line is crucial for both protection and establishing a reliable run game.