4 Vikings Quietly Outperforming Expectations in 2025

It’s Year No. 3 for Ward, so it makes all the sense in the world that he’s figuring it out now.

Soon, Harrison Smith will retire. The Vikings’ front office will look around and formulate a plan at safety. Ward is under contract through the end of 2026. Here’s to hoping we see more of him before too long.

Our Kyle Joudry on Ward: “Listed as a safety, Jay Ward has been tasked with shuffling around the defense (as per tradition within Minnesota’s non-traditional defense). Within the 41 snaps at free safety, 15 snaps in the box, 8 snaps as a wide corner, 7 snaps as a slot corner, and 1 snap along the d-line, Ward has picked up a healthy 71.1 PFF grade.”

“The pass rush grade comes in at a dismal score of 42.3, but we’re talking about a very small sample size. And, to be sure, there was a pile to like in his blitzes in Week 11 since he came off the line explosively, cleanly getting into the backfield. Guaranteed, Green Bay is going to think twice about not having a protection plan in place when Ward lines up at corner. Failing to do so could plausibly lead to Ward walloping Jordan Love.”

3. Blake Brandel | OT, G, C

Brandel’s value is simple: he can line up anywhere in the trenches. Tackle, guard, center — it doesn’t matter. And when Minnesota needed someone to stabilize the middle of the line with Ryan Kelly dealing with multiple concussions, Brandel didn’t just hold the spot. He looked like he belonged there.

His work at center has been solid enough that Michael Jurgens, who opened the year as the backup, never got the job back. Brandel made the decision for the staff by playing clean, reliable football at a position he wasn’t supposed to own.

Now comes the twist. Kelly is on track to return soon and resume the role, just as Brandel finally settled into it. But the impression is lasting. If Kelly isn’t part of the 2026 plan — whether because of health or retirement — Brandel has already shown he can walk right into that job without Minnesota skipping a beat.

Brandel has notably posted pass-blocking grades from PFF of 84.6, 75.1, and 78.2 in the last three games.

2. Eric Wilson | LB

PFF isn’t sold on Eric Wilson — a 59.0 grade will tell you that — but anyone actually watching the games knows better. He grabbed the job from Ivan Pace Jr. weeks ago and hasn’t given it back, and in spots like Chicago and Detroit, he’s played like one of the best defenders on the field.

Minnesota’s defense.

At this rate, Redmond is lining himself up for a real extension offer when the offseason hits.

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