The Minnesota Vikings are at a crossroads after a promising season under head coach Kevin O'Connell, having made significant strides but ultimately falling short in the playoffs. A shocking 27-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round highlighted their need for improvement, particularly in team cohesion and performance against elite competition.

Quarterback Sam Darnold, who set a record with 14 wins in his debut season, now faces scrutiny following disappointing playoff performances that reignited doubts about his long-term viability as a starter. Coach O'Connell praised Darnold's overall work but acknowledged the need for better decision-making in crucial moments, especially after Darnold was sacked nine times in the playoff loss, setting a postseason record for yards lost.