First-Time Pro Bowlers? The Vikings Employ 2 Candidates.
Only three players rostered by the 2023 Minnesota Vikings were selected to be part of the annual Pro Bowl games. Pass-rusher Danielle Hunter recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks in his ninth campaign with the Vikings. Long snapper Andrew DePaola joined him on his trip for the second consecutive season, and fullback C.J. Ham was an alternative for Kyle Juszczyk, who missed the event because his 49ers reached the Super Bowl.
First-Time Pro Bowlers? The Vikings Employ 2 Candidates.
The players were punished for winning only seven games, and the injuries to Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson were significant reasons that kept them off the roster. Additionally, Christian Darrisaw was objectively snubbed after another excellent season. He still hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl. Safety Josh Metellus had the numbers and the fan votes, but the coaches and players didn’t agree with that.
In the upcoming year, the Vikings could send two players who haven’t received any Pro Bowl honors in their careers, according to Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports), who named 20 candidates.
His first one for Minnesota was Jordan Addison.
He was splashy as a rookie, even while dealing with an injury-prompted quarterback carousel, and now he should have a healthier Justin Jefferson back by his side. With T.J. Hockenson also rehabbing, his targets could soar.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports
The first-rounder was clearly behind superstar Justin Jefferson on the depth chart and competed with K.J. Osborn for snaps, but he made plays from the get-go. Cousins threw him the ball, and head coach Kevin O’Connell used him as a deep threat, which resulted in some impressive highlight clips.
Addison then replaced Jefferson as the team’s top WR during his injury and continued to produce big numbers. Although his numbers slightly dipped once the backup passers entered the mix, they all tried to get the ball to the dynamic rookie, and he still finished the season with 70 catches for 911 yards and ten touchdowns. The only other rookies in the Super Bowl era with to hit or surpass 70 catches, 900 yards, and 10 touchdowns were Odell Beckham Jr. and Ja’Marr Chase.
Following Osborn’s exit and because of T.J. Hockenson’s injury, there’s no reason to expect any decline. The Vikings will continue to be a pass-heavy team for as long as O’Connell calls the plays, resulting in big numbers for the pass-catchers.
Benjamin’s second candidate is Jonathan Greenard. The defender signed with the Vikes after spending the first four seasons of his career in Houston.
Quietly steady when healthy in Houston, Greenard got big money to replace Danielle Hunter in Minnesota, and he should benefit from working under Brian Flores, as well as alongside fellow newcomer Andrew Van Ginkel.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports
Hunter is no longer on the team, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was forced to replace the entire pass-rushing group as Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum also departed.
On the first day of free agency, he didn’t waste any time and immediately added Greenard and former Dolphins defender Andrew Van Ginkel. Greenard signed a four-year $76 million deal that confirms his status as the top pass-rusher on the roster. Rookie first-rounder Dallas Turner could challenge him at some point in the future.
Regardless, Greenard is coming off his breakout season, during which he recorded 12.5 sacks in 15 games. He also excelled in run defense and logged 15 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will continue to blitz, putting edge-rushers in one-on-one situations, resulting in additional pressures and sacks.
There’s a decent chance the 27-year-old can feast under his new coach, just like Hunter did a year ago. Greenard and Addison are excellent candidates to represent the Vikings at the Pro Bowl in 2025.
Camryn Bynum, Darrisaw, and Metellus are three other hopefuls who could make their Pro Bowl debuts.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt