Minneapolis to Make Push for 2025 NFL Draft

U.S. Bank Stadium
Images Courtesy of Vikings.com

U.S. Bank Stadium was erected in 2016, and since then, the Minnesota Vikings hold the NFL’s ninth-best homefield advantage percentage. Minnesota is 26-14 (.650) in all home games from 2016 on.

This winning percentage was fully ravaged by lousy home performance in 2020. The usual Minnesota homefield advantage was vanquished by no fans due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Yes, the Vikings were better on the road (4-4) than at home (3-5) last season — a rude turn of affairs as Mike Zimmer’s team customarily takes care of business at home while displaying average output on the road. Before the pandemic season, Zimmer’s bunch was the league’s fourth-best home team at U.S. Bank Stadium with a 23-9 (.719) record from 2016 to 2019.

Now that Minnesota owns one of the NFL’s most illustrious stadiums, Minneapolis and the Vikings are considered for other neat events. The Vikings might host the NFL draft in four or five years per the Pioneer Press‘ Christ Tomasson:

April — the month of the NFL draft — is a goofy time for Minnesota climate. The average temperate is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. But on the first day of the 2025 NFL Draft — it could be snowing manically, beautifully sunny, both, or in between.

That hasn’t stopped the NFL from bestowing on Minneapolis other event treasures, however. Minneapolis hosted Super Bowl LII when the Philadelphia Eagles ousted the New England Patriots in an arena football-like contest. The Eagles and Patriots combined for 1,151 yards of total offense, setting an NFL record in the yards-gained parameter.

Too, the Vikings “should” have been there that February night. The 2017 Zimmer-led Vikings were reapers but fell short in the NFC Championship to the aforementioned Eagles. To date, the 2017 squad was the best Vikings team under Zimmer — and the best depth chart since 2009.

The NFL notoriously waits until “the last minute” to name the NFL draft home, so this selection process could drag out years. But Minneapolis is in the mix. Detroit and Washington will require a staving off for priority. And so will Green Bay — but the Vikings and their fans are certainly used to that.

The NFL historically held the draft in New York City at Radio City Music Hall, but that practice ceased after 2014. In the last several drafts, venues include Chicago (twice), Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, and next year in Las Vegas. The draft was held virtually during the pandemic as the time on the calendar was rampant with uncertainty about the virus.

Keep an eye on Minnesota for the venue in 2025 or 2006. If other cold places like Chicago or Philadelphia can host the gala, so can Minnesota.

Share: