Are the 2024 Minnesota Vikings Cursed?
When the Minnesota Vikings drafted the University of Michigan’s J. J. McCarthy in the first round, he was the highest drafted QB by the team. He did well in the first pre-season game (see above stats), but he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee that required surgery. He will be out the rest of the season. (Photo from Minnesota Vikings Facebook page)
By Julie Rae Rickard
Each year at this time, I become excited about the start of the NFL season and the possibility that my team, the Minnesota Vikings will finally win a Super Bowl.
I know, I am crazy to sign on to another Viking season hoping for a championship. Honestly, that hope has faded with each year, but it still crosses my mind. This year I wasn’t overly optimistic because last season was such a disappointment. Due to some recent developments, I have grown extremely pessimistic about the 2024 season because it seems the Vikings are cursed already.
Let me explain.
In the off-season we lost one of the best quarterbacks the Vikings have had when the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins for $180 million for four years.
I was sorry to see him go, but that was a high price tag the Vikings couldn’t afford, especially for a 35-year-old quarterback.
Last season Kirk got hurt in the eighth week, right Achilles tendon, and was done for the year. After that the Vikings struggled with QB’s. Back-up Nick Mullens was already on injured reserve leaving rookie Jaren Hall. Luckily, they were able to trade for Joshua Dobbs just before the trade deadline.
When Hall suffered a concussion just a few days later, Dobbs was forced into the game, while barely knowing the playbook. He was able to lead them to victory and became the starter.
Dobbs first game magic fizzled. Turnovers plagued the team throughout 2023 and led to losses, no matter who was the quarterback.
Mullens returned, but they lost their last four games to finish 7-10, and third in the division.
After starting four different QB’s in 2023, the position was definitely a priority and even more so after Kirk was signed away.
They signed veteran and former first round pick, Sam Darnold to fill the void. (Darnold was actually drafted third and ahead of the Buffalo Bills Superstar QB, Josh Allen.) He played a few years with the New York Jets who drafted him, and then went to the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold’s career completion percentage is 59.7% and his passer rating only 78.3.
His signing did not fill me with much hope. But the move made it seem that the Vikings were looking more to the NFL draft to really fill their QB hole which they did when they traded up in the first round to take J. J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan.
Champaign was popped and toasts were made at this choice. The future of the team seemed bright.
In his first pre-season game, McCarthy had a slow start with an interception, but threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
This is where the curse comes into our story.
McCarthy suffered a sore knee, which turned out to be a torn meniscus in his right knee. He needed surgery. And after that surgery, it was announced that he would be out for the entire season.
That same day, wide receiver, Jordan Addison, suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the practice field. (As I write this, the extent of the injury is not known.)
To take the case for a curse a bit further, in July, rookie cornerback, Khyree Jackson was killed in a car accident with two of his former high school teammates in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
The Vikings paid his remaining signing bonus to his estate which media reported as being over $821,000. They are dedicating the season to him and will wear KJ decals on their helmets.
Overall, it looks as if 2024 is not going to be their year.
They have a difficult schedule. Both divisional rivals, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers played extremely well last season and are expected to be very competitive this year as well. In addition to playing those two playoff teams twice, they will meet the San Fransciso 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Houston Texans.
But, they do still have one of the best wide receivers in the league because they signed Justin Jefferson to a record contract of $140 million for four years, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Even though Jefferson missed seven games with an injury in 2023, he kept his streak of over 1,000 yards per season intact. His average receiving yards per game is 98.3.
There are other great players on the team, so maybe it won’t be so bad.
After all, I have been waiting since 1970 for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl. I guess I can get through one more year.