Four games into the season, the Minnesota Vikings have had more problems than expected. They should have anticipated turbulence as a 14-3 team handing the keys to a first-year starting quarterback, but few thought the troubles would run this deep.
Brian Flores’ defense has sprung leaks, failing to stop the run. Minnesota’s rebuilt offensive line is down to its third string. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain, and Carson Wentz replaced him. What was supposed to be the easy stretch of the schedule could end with a losing record if the Vikings fall to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
With all of these factors, it’s understandable for fans to second-guess the team’s offseason strategy or wonder if their own expectations were too high. However, while the Vikings have several issues, the biggest one is improving their offense.
There are things here that are out of Kevin O’Connell’s control. In a perfect world, McCarthy would have continued to receive reps over the first five games and build the confidence needed when the schedule picks up after the bye, beginning with a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
McCarthy also played the first two games without Jordan Addison and an offensive line that seems to be suffering a new injury daily. Even when Wentz took over, Ryan Kelly was in and out of the lineup with concussions, and the Vikings were missing a key piece of the backfield when Aaron Jones was placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury.
While some argue that Wentz, Aaron Rodgers, or Max Brosmer would perform better under center than McCarthy, Minnesota’s infrastructure may be holding him back. However, the Vikings’ offense is the key to their hopes in the NFC.
It’s something to remember when assessing Flores’ defense. The Vikings have suffered their share of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Blake Cashman is out with a hamstring injury, and Andrew Van Ginkel is nursing a neck injury. Harrison Smith also missed time due to a physical illness, which left the Vikings struggling to establish continuity.
The Vikings are still getting after the passer, ranking seventh in the league with 11 sacks and second with a 31.7% pressure rate. However, the team’s rushing defense is drawing criticism from fans. It has allowed 521 rushing yards (ninth-most in the NFL) and 4.5 yards per carry (12th-highest) in the first four games.
Those numbers could be even higher if the Vikings didn’t face D’Andre Swift and Chase Brown in two of their games. Fans can forgive them for being tormented by Bijan Robinson. However, many were apoplectic watching Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell combine for 121 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Minnesota’s lack of offense has put increased pressure on Dallas Turner, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave. Still, that criticism is questionable, considering those three players are doing the job the Vikings brought them in to do.
Warren Ludford of the Daily Norseman noted that Turner has the second-highest pass-rush productivity rating (PRP) among 2024 first-round edge rushers this season, trailing Laiatu Latu of the Indianapolis Colts. But he also has the highest PRP in true pass sets, with a whopping 14.6 through the first four games of the season.
PFF Pass Rush Productivity so far this season among 2024 first-round draft pick edge rushers:
1. Laiatu Latu (11.4)
2. Dallas Turner (10.3)
3. Jared Verse (8.7)
4. Chop Robinson (5.1)
In True Pass Sets:
1. Dallas Turner (14.6)
2. Laiatu Latu (14.3)
3. Jared Verse (12.3)
4. Chop…
— Warren Ludford (@wludford) October 2, 2025
Allen and Hargrave have also combined for 19 total pressures, providing the disruptive presence the Vikings have needed in the middle of the defensive line since Linval Joseph left after the 2019 season. Jalen Redmond has also stepped up, but it’s some of the injuries that are killing this unit.
Then again, Flores’ defense is also supposed to be playing with a lead. The Vikings’ game plan is to use their offense to jump ahead early, allowing them to pin their ears back and force teams into passing. When that happens, guys like Turner, Allen, and Hargrave can get to the quarterback, and the Vikings can win on their terms.
So far, Minnesota’s offense has been on everyone else’s terms. Injuries and absences are one thing, but regression is another. T.J. Hockenson has been missing in action for most of the season. Adam Thielen has almost disappeared since the Vikings traded for him to manage Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension. And O’Connell’s playcalling, based on long-developing routes and hunting big plays downfield, has been neutralized due to the injuries on the offensive line.
These are the things that O’Connell should be expected to fix. The Vikings won’t be able to solve their overall issues until they find a way to get the offense back on track. And if he does that, who’s to say the Vikings still can’t compete in the NFC?
The Eagles are one A.J. Brown tweet away from imploding. The Green Bay Packers look like Super Bowl champions one day and a D-III football team the next. The Detroit Lions are dealing with their own injuries, and teams from the NFC West and South divisions have their own warts that should make the Vikings favorites in any matchup.
That, of course, assumes that the offense gets fixed. With the bye coming up, the Vikings can get healthy, take a deep breath, and figure out what went wrong over the first five weeks. But if they can’t find those answers, the Vikings will look like they do now, coming woefully short of their preseason expectations.