I note comments about how the media tend to disrespect the Vikings despite recent very good regular-season records. Perhaps that’s because their very good regular-season records don’t translate to much playoff success and to zero Super Bowl wins. During the Super Bowl era, the Vikings have the fourth or fifth-best cumulative regular season record. Yet they are the only team with a winning regular-season record over that time span that doesn’t have at least one Super Bowl win. They also have the fewest total playoff wins of any team with a winning regular-season record over that time span. Want respect? Prove it. Just once during my lifetime would be appreciated.
I also note lots of positive comments over the extension for the GM. However, he has yet to master the draft. If Jackson and McCarthy start and either [Jalen] Nailor or [Tai] Felton is the No. 3 WR, he will have produced five starters over four drafts if you count the kicker and the No. 3 WR. Maybe you get a 6**th**if you count the No. 3 CB. That’s not really very good.
— Dave Sinclair in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger (which followed Minnesota’s loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV), the Vikings rank fifth in the NFL with a win percentage of .566 (485-371-4 in 860 games).
All but one other franchise (Seattle at 12) in the top 15 in win percentage (1. Steelers, 2. Cowboys, 3. Ravens, 4. Dolphins, 6. Broncos, 7. Patriots, 8. 49ers, 9. Packers, 10. Chiefs, 11. Eagles, 13. Commanders, 14. Rams and 15. Raiders) have won multiple Super Bowls. Seattle is 1-2 in Super Bowls but easily could have been 2-1 with a handoff instead of an interception at the goal line.
In the playoffs, Minnesota’s win percentage of .388 (19-30) during that span ranks 29th.
So, yes, it’s a fair point that Minnesota needs to accomplish the ultimate goal to earn the utmost respect. Something tells me there could still be some haters, even if/when that finally does happen.
The NFL Draft is rare art that is being mixed with science, and while starters drafted could be a good metric, there are factors that can impact how quickly draftees start.
Veteran-laden teams that have much of the roster established (like the Vikings have been) have fewer job openings for rookies to be starters.
The Vikings drafted 16 players in the 1969 NFL Draft. White, who turned out to be great but didn’t become a full-time starter until 1971, and Noel Jenke (eventually played in 1971) were the only two players who eventually made the team. The roster was loaded, enabling an incredible run by the Vikings that included four Super Bowl appearances in eight seasons.
Now, with the salary cap and free agency markets leading to more roster turnover, it is important to locate impact players in the short and long term. That ultimately did not happen with the 2022 draft class, but three of six picks from 2023 figure to play significant roles in 2025.
Jordan Addison has been in the same conversation as some elite Vikings Legends for his production in his first two seasons, and Mekhi Blackmon is a player the Vikings are excited seeing return from last year’s torn ACL (potentially as the No. 3 CB that Dave mentioned). Jay Ward has played mostly on special teams but also is continuing to grow.
Minnesota freed up cap space along the way to lean heavily on free agency in 2024 and 2025, which also reduces the job openings for younger players. Signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, and yielding Pro Bowl seasons from both, meant more of a development year for Dallas Turner. All signs point to McCarthy being QB1 and him being a player people are excited to see.