The Vikings had a season that no one saw coming in 2024 when they went 14-3 with backup quarterback Sam Darnold leading the way. It showed just how talented this roster is to overcome a significant injury like J.J. McCarthy suffered, and it highlighted some players that many had not expected to shine.

On the other hand, despite the team’s record, some players underperformed.

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The NFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football, and going 14-3 will not be an easy feat, unlike it was in 2024. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a roster that is stacked top to bottom without a true glaring weakness, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t players the team would like to see improve.

We picked three players we want to see bounce back in 2025 after less-than-stellar 2024 campaigns.

Blake Brandel, Guard

Blake Brandel lost his starting guard role, seemingly when the team drafted Donovan Jackson in April. The veteran guard has fought for everything he has earned in the NFL after being an undrafted free agent, but the team now needs him to be ready whenever they need him going forward. He is likely to play the role of “filler” if an injury is to occur, and with the history that Will Fries has, he could be used quicker than many can hope for.

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Dallas Turner, Edge Rusher

Brian Flores always has a short leash on rookies, but the development and coming along of Dallas Turner were slower than expected in 2024. The team also boasts the pass-rushing duo of Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, so reps are few and far between, but he could earn a bigger role in a rotation. Turner needs to step up in a big way to help the Vikings’ defense cover up their holes in the secondary. That is, unless, of course, our third player steps up and helps that group in his own way.

Jeff Okudah, Cornerback

Okudah returns to the NFC North after leaving when the Lions traded him to the Falcons in 2023. He hopped from there to the Texans before hitting free agency, and Brian Flores decided to scoop him up for his secondary. The veteran defensive coordinator has shown he can make chicken salad out of chicken bones time and again with veterans and high draft picks who have fallen off. Could Okudah be the latest project he adds some polish to?

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Vikings who must bounce back during training camp in 2025