The team went 4-2 against the NFC North, made its third playoff appearance in the last three years, and first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell was in the running for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Below are three additional reasons for the Vikings to be optimistic heading into 2023:
1. No signs of a toxic culture under Kevin O’Connell
The biggest knock on former head coach Mike Zimmer was his fear-based coaching style and authoritative demeanor. By all accounts, things couldn’t be more different since O’Connell took over last February.
Not only did Minnesota win 13 games and just its third NFC North crown since 2010, but there were several moments through the season where players such as Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and others let their personalities shine through in TikTok videos or through post-game interactions with the media.
2. Justin Jefferson just may be the best WR in the NFL
The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson is three years into his career and already taking down records set by Randy Moss. In fact, his 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards not only led the NFL but they’re also Vikings’ single-season records as well.
Opposing defenses know Jefferson is going to get the ball and they still have a difficult time stopping him. He had over 100 yards 10 or more times in 2022, including four games with 150 or more yards, and he had 10 games with seven or more receptions.
Jefferson is must-watch television every game.
3. Now may just be their time to run the division
The Packers had an 8-9 season and their quarterback situation is still up in the air. Detroit is certainly on the upswing, but their 32nd-ranked defense needs a lot of work to get up to a respectable level. Chicago is drafting first overall, and although Justin Fields looks like the real deal, the Bears are still a few years away from competing.
That leaves the Vikings, who have an established veteran quarterback, one of the top running backs in the league (at least for now), arguably the top receiver in the league and a top-five tight end, to run roughshod over the rest of the NFC North.