The Minnesota Vikings continue to keep things interesting during the 2023 season.
They started the season very competitive in their first three games but lost all of them by a total of 13 points. That set the Vikings up to go 5-1 over their last six games. None of them were easy but Kevin O’Connell is showing why he’s such a great coach.
Throughout the first nine games, there have been numerous examples of great play and stories that will stand the test of time. It’s going to be a season remembered for a long time.
Through the first nine weeks of the season, our staff each picked their MVP.
Managing editor Tyler Forness: OLB Danielle Hunter
There are quite a few players that qualify for this award but there hasn’t been a more important player than Hunter. There was an argument for both Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins at one point but the Vikings being on a four-game winning streak with the game against Atlanta has made that argument considerably weaker.
Hunter currently leads the NFL in sacks with 10.0 and has been a monster in both rushing the passer and in the running game. He makes an impact consistently and puts a genuine fear into the opposing quarterback regularly. Even though the Vikings run consistent blitzes, Hunter is still the catalyst to make it work.
Columnist Judd Zulgad: OLB Danielle Hunter
Playing under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the veteran pass rusher often has been dominant and is going to get a big payday when he hits free agency in March. Hunter leads the NFL with 10 sacks in nine games and is only 4.5 sacks from matching the single-season high total that he reached in 2018 and ‘19. He also has forced three fumbles, tying the career high he set in 2019. The Vikings’ defense has gone from one of the worst in the NFL in 2022 to a respectable unit and the 29-year-old Hunter has played a large role in that because of his ability to impact games in a multitude of ways.
Columnist Saivion Mixson: WR Jordan Addison
When Addison was drafted 23rd overall by Minnesota, it opened the door to plenty of conversation. How could they add to an obvious strength with so many holes still to fill? Addison has proved immediately that he was the correct pick, and yet another first-round hit at the receiver position for the Vikings.
Addison is tied with former Viking Stefon Diggs for second in the league, that’s right, the entire NFL, with seven touchdowns over the first nine games of the season. Only seven receivers have been able to give their team that kind of production this early in their careers since 2000. Marques Colston, Mike Evans, Martavis Bryant, Calvin Ridley, Chase Claypool, Ja’Marr Chase and now, Jordan Addison. Addison’s success has allowed for Justin Jefferson to take his time with his recovery, assuring that he will be back to full health when he returns.
Columnist Chris Spooner:
Much has been made about Cousins and what the future may or may not hold for him. Those are questions to be answered down the road, but for his contributions this season, he’s clearly the MVP of this team in the first half.
Cousins’ contributions go well beyond the box score, though he’s been phenomenal in that regard, too. Cousins was on pace to put up yet another stellar season in 2023 before the Achilles injury, and he was on pace to support a record-setting season from Justin Jefferson before his ankle injury.
Cousins’ biggest contribution to this team, though, is his presence as a leader both on the field and in the locker room. You could see it all season with his ability to keep the team focused in the midst of all the turnovers and the 0-3 start. You could see it in the immediate aftermath of his Achilles’ injury and his finishing out the play he was hurt on, then staying on the sidelines to cheer the team on. And you could see it in spades in the support his teammates, both current and former, have shown since. Kirk is the heart and soul of this team and its first-half MVP.
