What a NFL season this year....

[kmillard]

For whatever reason, the Vikings can’t escape the every-other-year rule.

Mike Zimmer feasted during odd seasons (playoffs in 2015, 2017 and 2019). He was finally undone with two subpar in a row (2020 and 2021).

O’Connell has worked even-year magic (27 combined wins in 2022 and 2024).

The Vikings haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2008 and 2009.

3 playoff wins in 21 years of the Wilf era is pathetic.

[Vikesrock]

For whatever reason, the Vikings can’t escape the every-other-year rule.

Mike Zimmer feasted during odd seasons (playoffs in 2015, 2017 and 2019). He was finally undone with two subpar in a row (2020 and 2021).

O’Connell has worked even-year magic (27 combined wins in 2022 and 2024).

The Vikings haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2008 and 2009.

I think this points to one ever living resounding piece of evidence.  The Vikings can not and have not found a consistent franchise starting Quarterback.  I would say since 2009, our best quarterback has been Kirk Cousins....  Teddy may have been close, but look around...  It's been a shit storm at QB, heck even all the way back to the Tommy Kramer days ...who himself couldn't stay healthy.(Daunte Culpepper may have been the closest before the knee blowout)

[MaroonBells]

I think this points to one ever living resounding piece of evidence.  The Vikings can not and have not found a consistent franchise starting Quarterback.  I would say since 2009, our best quarterback has been Kirk Cousins....  Teddy may have been close, but look around...  It's been a shit storm at QB, heck even all the way back to the Tommy Kramer days ...who himself couldn't stay healthy.(Daunte Culpepper may have been the closest before the knee blowout)

That's exactly it. Gotta have the QB. Look what having a QB did for Seattle, Denver, New England. Look what not having a QB did to Washington, Minnesota, Atlanta, Cinci. 

I feel (very, somewhat, not at all) confident we have our guy now. But he needs reps. So if he keeps missing time with injuries, he's not going to develop the way he should.

[medaille]

3 playoff wins in 21 years of the Wilf era is pathetic.

Not 100% the same criteria, but for reference (From reddit, so who knows, not fact-checking):

[StickierBuns]

Psst....hey Rams...can't let an opponent run for 219 yards and have your QB throw 3 INTs.

Have to tip my hat to Bo Nix and Drake Maye, probable #1 and #2 seeds in the AFC. And Caleb Williams as well. Jayden Daniels went to the NFCC game last year. Just leaves Penix and McCarthy hanging in back of this pack....lots of catching up to do.

[Montana Tom]

I think it is premature to say that JJM will not play on Sunday.
Per KOC:

It's still too early to tell if J.J. McCarthy (hand) will be able to play in the Vikings' regular season finale against the Packers this Sunday, head coach Kevin O'Connell indicated on Monday. Minnesota's second-year quarterback is apparently progressing, but they'll need to see how well he can grip a football over the course of this week before determining if he can play in the game.

"Swelling in that hand has come down a little bit. Really, it's just gonna be about working through it this week and seeing what his grip strength is like and if he can possibly give it a go this week," O'Connell said. "That will be something I'll keep you guys posted on."

This week's stakes-free (but not meaningless) game against the Packers would have quite a bit more intrigue for Vikings fans if McCarthy is able to play one final time in his second season. It's been a disappointing year for the 22-year-old QB, who has missed seven games due to injury and has mostly struggled (57 percent completions, more INTs than passing TDs, 71.2 passer rating) when he's been on the field. With that said, McCarthy is 5-4 as a starter and displayed real progress in his three most recent outings against the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants.

"It's just going to be a matter of purely having the grip on the football and getting that to a place where he can potentially go out there and throw it," O'Connell said. "I'd love to get him one more game."

He literally might be a Sunday morning decision.