The 2024 NFL season is right around the corner. Training camp is kicking off, and outlets are rolling out their projections for the upcoming year. USA TODAY Sports came out with an article predicting the overall record of every team this year. It won’t make too many Vikings fans happy to know Minnesota was picked to finish last in the NFC North.
USA TODAY has Minnesota going 5-12 in 2024. While the author, Nate Davis, didn’t reveal which teams the Vikings beat to get to five wins, we obviously know it wasn’t very many.
Starting with All-Pro WR1 Justin Jefferson, there’s quite obviously ample talent on this roster. There’s also bound to ample whiplash as the organization transitions from QB Kirk Cousins, likely to journeyman Sam Darnold and then again to first-rounder J.J. McCarthy – quite possibly at some point later this year. Throw in the fact that five of the Vikes’ first seven opponents were playoff teams last season, a list that doesn’t include their London date with the Jets? All signs point toward a mulligan, even if HC Kevin O’Connell likely manages to field a competitive squad.
It’s worth noting he had Green Bay finishing 13-4, the Lions going 11-6, and Chicago finishing third with a 9-8 record. The Super Bowl consisted of the New York Jets beating the Green Bay Packers.