The (Almost) Vikings Award Winners: 10th in MVP, 19th in CPOY, and 11th in DPOY
The 2024 season went well before it didn’t, concluding with a pair of meltdown performances in Week 18 and then in the Wild Card Round.
The 14-3 Vikings had a ton of talent but couldn’t experience meaningful team success in the playoffs. Nevertheless, there were multiple players who achieved significant individual success. Many (most?) Vikings fans know about the All Pro teams and the Pro Bowl rosters, but the Vikings award winners go beyond just those examples. Several players were at least considered for many of the league’s most prominent awards.
The Vikings Award Winners: Obscure Edition
First, the basics.
The Vikings were well represented at the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Sam Darnold, right tackle Brian O’Neill (after a bit), and wide receiver Justin Jefferson enjoyed the festivities. So, too, did edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, and corner Byron Murphy Jr. Long snapper Andrew DePaola earned the honor, as well.
As the for the All Pro team, the Vikings again had a few players who got onto the squad. Mr. Jefferson got sent as a first-team pick. Van Ginkel went as a second-team representative after proving to be a tremendous edge rusher in his debut season in Minnesota. Yet again, Mr. DePaola got honored as the first-team selection, so a tip of the cap to the long snapper.
What happens, though, if we want to get more obscure? Can we account for all of the players who were at least in the running — however faint their hopes — for awards? Let’s give it a whirl.
Start off at MVP, the most prestigious honor for a single player from the regular season. Sam Darnold finished 10th with a (somewhat inconsequential) 3.0 points. Compare that to the winner — Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen — who earned a whopping 378.0 points. We’re talking about a pretty wide gulf, but basically no one had Mr. Darnold being in the conversation at all for MVP going into September of 2024. So, great success for Darnold.
Shift things over to Offensive Player of the Year, an award that Justin Jefferson snagged in 2022. Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley won with 396.0 points. Down at seventh with 25.0 points was Minnesota’s WR1: Mr. Jefferson.
When it comes to Defensive Player of the Year — an award that got sent to Denver corner Patrick Surtain II, who earned 320.0 points — the Vikings again earned some representation. Andrew Van Ginkel mirrored Justin Jefferson by coming in at seventh; the edge rusher had 21.0 points. Jonathan Greenard, meanwhile, finished off at eleventh with 10.0.
Rookies of the Year for either of offense and/or defense? Folks, this is the Minnesota Vikings, a team that hasn’t exactly crushed it in the draft since Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over (if you want to grovel in self-pity, know that Rams edge rusher Jared Verse — who terrorized Minnesota in the playoffs — won the DROY award; he was available when Minnesota picked at No. 17).
Moving on, consider Comeback Player of the Year. One could make a very persuasive case that Sam Darnold should have been the winner, but he came in third with 92.0 points (the Bengals’ Joe Burrow won with 370.0 points). Even more wild is that the Vikings had tight end T.J. Hockenson alongside running back Cam Akers finish in a tie for 19th in voting with 2.0 points apiece.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Kevin O’Connell earned some hardware, winning the NFL Coach of the Year Award. He did so behind 351.0 points against 281.0 going to the Lions’ Dan Campbell.
Expectations for the Vikings in 2025 are modest, all things considered. Some of that is due to J.J. McCarthy being unproven; some of that is due to a difficult schedule. The roster, however, does have a ton of talent, so don’t be too surprised if more accolades arrive (and maybe even an actual playoff push).
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
