| 2023 Minnesota Vikings season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Zygi Wilf |
| General manager | Kwesi Adofo-Mensah |
| Head coach | Kevin O'Connell |
| Home stadium | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–10 |
| Division place | 3rdNFC North |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | FBC. J. Ham (alternate) OLBDanielle Hunter (starter) LSAndrew DePaola (starter) |
| All-Pros | LS Andrew DePaola (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The2023 season was theMinnesota Vikings' 63rd in theNational Football League (NFL), their eighth playing their home games atU.S. Bank Stadium and their second under thehead coach/general manager tandem ofKevin O'Connell andKwesi Adofo-Mensah.
They started 0–3 for the second time in the past four seasons. They failed to improve upon their 13–4 record from2022 after a Week 5 loss to the eventual back to back Super Bowl championKansas City Chiefs and match that record with a Week 11 loss to theBroncos. However, after having a 1–4 record, the Vikings would win 5 games straight, going to a 6–4 record. During Minnesota's Week 8 game against their division rival, theGreen Bay Packers, startingquarterbackKirk Cousins ruptured hisachilles tendon, ruling him out for the rest of the season.[1] They went through a quarterback carousel for the rest of the season, going 1–6 in their last 7 games including 4 straight losses to end the season. In Week 16, they were knocked out of division contention following a loss to theDetroit Lions, and in Week 18, they were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Lions again.
For the first time since2012, wide receiverAdam Thielen was not on the roster, as he was released on March 10.[2] Additionally, for the first time since2016, four-timePro Bowl running backDalvin Cook was not on the roster, as he was released on June 9.[3] This was also the first season after the death of legendary coach and team advisorBud Grant on March 11.[4]
| Position | Player | Former team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Brandon Powell | Los Angeles Rams | Signed on March 22 |
| LB | Troy Reeder | Los Angeles Chargers | Signed on March 22 |
| TE | Josh Oliver | Baltimore Ravens | Signed on March 15 |
| DE | Dean Lowry | Green Bay Packers | Signed on March 20 |
| OLB | Marcus Davenport | New Orleans Saints | Signed on March 15 |
| CB | Byron Murphy | Arizona Cardinals | Signed on March 15 |
| CB | Joejuan Williams | New England Patriots | Signed on April 17 |
| Position | Player | New team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Adam Thielen | Carolina Panthers | Released on March 10 |
| LB | Eric Kendricks | Los Angeles Chargers | Released on March 6 |
| TE | Irv Smith Jr. | Cincinnati Bengals | |
| CB | Kris Boyd | Arizona Cardinals | |
| CB | Cameron Dantzler | Washington Commanders | |
| CB | Chandon Sullivan | Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| CB | Patrick Peterson | Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| CB | Duke Shelley | Las Vegas Raiders | |
| OLB | Za'Darius Smith | Cleveland Browns | Traded on May 16 |
| DT | Dalvin Tomlinson | Cleveland Browns | |
| C | Greg Mancz | Buffalo Bills | Released on January 14 |
| RB | Dalvin Cook | New York Jets | Released on June 9 |
Draft trades
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL) | Linebackers(LB)
Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST) | Practice squad
Reserve
Rookies in italics 53 active, 12 reserve, 15 practice squad |
The Vikings' preseason schedule was announced on May 11, 2023, along with the regular season schedule. They will first travel to the Pacific Northwest to play theSeattle Seahawks, before returning to Minnesota for their remaining two games, first against theTennessee Titans and then theArizona Cardinals.[10]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 10 | atSeattle Seahawks | L 13–24 | 0–1 | Lumen Field | Recap |
| 2 | August 19 | Tennessee Titans | L 16–24 | 0–2 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 26 | Arizona Cardinals | L 17–18 | 0–3 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
atLumen Field,Seattle, Washington
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
atU.S. Bank Stadium,Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 18 |
| Vikings | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
atU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 17–20 | 0–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 14 | atPhiladelphia Eagles | L 28–34 | 0–2 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
| 3 | September 24 | Los Angeles Chargers | L 24–28 | 0–3 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | October 1 | atCarolina Panthers | W 21–13 | 1–3 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 8 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 20–27 | 1–4 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 15 | atChicago Bears | W 19–13 | 2–4 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 7 | October 23 | San Francisco 49ers | W 22–17 | 3–4 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | October 29 | atGreen Bay Packers | W 24–10 | 4–4 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
| 9 | November 5 | atAtlanta Falcons | W 31–28 | 5–4 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 12 | New Orleans Saints | W 27–19 | 6–4 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 19 | atDenver Broncos | L 20–21 | 6–5 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap |
| 12 | November 27 | Chicago Bears | L 10–12 | 6–6 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | Bye | |||||
| 14 | December 10 | atLas Vegas Raiders | W 3–0 | 7–6 | Allegiant Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 16 | atCincinnati Bengals | L 24–27(OT) | 7–7 | Paycor Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 24 | Detroit Lions | L 24–30 | 7–8 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 31 | Green Bay Packers | L 10–33 | 7–9 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 18 | January 7 | atDetroit Lions | L 20–30 | 7–10 | Ford Field | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
atU.S. Bank Stadium,Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Eagles | 3 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
atLincoln Financial Field,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Panthers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
atBank of America Stadium,Charlotte, North Carolina
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 19 |
| Bears | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
atSoldier Field,Chicago, Illinois
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Vikings | 7 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 22 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
atLambeau Field,Green Bay, Wisconsin
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 31 |
| Falcons | 3 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 28 |
atMercedes-Benz Stadium,Atlanta, Georgia
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 3 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| Vikings | 3 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Broncos | 3 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 21 |
atEmpower Field at Mile High,Denver, Colorado
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
atAllegiant Stadium,Paradise, Nevada
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Vikings scored the only points of the game after both teams went over 58 minutes without scoring, in the lowest scoring NFL game since 2007.[11] The Vikings improved to 7–6 and remained in the playoff race.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 27 |
atPaycor Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 7 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 30 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 10 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 33 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Lions | 13 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
atFord Field,Detroit, Michigan
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With this loss, the Vikings finished the season on a four-game losing streak, their first since2016. They were also swept by the Lions for the first time since that same season. Their 7–10 record was their first double-digit losing season since2013, which also saw the Vikings go through a quarterback carousel driven by injuries and poor play.
| NFC North | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (3)Detroit Lions | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 461 | 395 | W1 |
| (7)Green Bay Packers | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 7–5 | 383 | 350 | W3 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 344 | 362 | L4 |
| Chicago Bears | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 360 | 379 | L1 |
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1[a] | San Francisco 49ers | West | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .509 | .475 | L1 |
| 2[a][b] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .446 | .392 | W2 |
| 3[a][b] | Detroit Lions | North | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .481 | .436 | W1 |
| 4[c] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .481 | .379 | W1 |
| Wild cards | |||||||||||
| 5 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .481 | .476 | L2 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .529 | .453 | W4 |
| 7[d][e] | Green Bay Packers | North | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .474 | .458 | W3 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 8[d][e] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 2–4 | 7–5 | .512 | .392 | W1 |
| 9[c][d] | New Orleans Saints | South | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .433 | .340 | W2 |
| 10[f][g] | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .509 | .454 | L4 |
| 11[g][h] | Chicago Bears | North | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .464 | .370 | L1 |
| 12[f][h] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .429 | .462 | L2 |
| 13 | New York Giants | East | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .512 | .353 | W1 |
| 14[i] | Washington Commanders | East | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 0–6 | 2–10 | .512 | .338 | L8 |
| 15[i] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 0–6 | 3–9 | .561 | .588 | L1 |
| 16 | Carolina Panthers | South | 2 | 15 | 0 | .118 | 1–5 | 1–11 | .522 | .500 | L3 |
| Tiebreakers[j] | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Category | Player(s) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Kirk Cousins | 2,331 |
| Passing touchdowns | Kirk Cousins | 18 |
| Rushing yards | Alexander Mattison | 700 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Ty Chandler Joshua Dobbs | 3 |
| Receptions | T. J. Hockenson | 95 |
| Receiving yards | Justin Jefferson | 1,074 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Jordan Addison | 10 |
| Points | Greg Joseph | 108 |
| Kickoff return yards | Kene Nwangwu | 380 |
| Punt return yards | Brandon Powell | 289 |
| Tackles | Camryn Bynum | 137 |
| Sacks | Danielle Hunter | 16.5 |
| Interceptions | Byron Murphy | 3 |
| Forced fumbles | Danielle Hunter Josh Metellus | 4 |
Source:Pro-Football-Reference.com[12]
| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing offense | 4,359 | 256.4 | 5th |
| Rushing offense | 1,553 | 91.4 | 29th |
| Total offense | 5,912 | 347.8 | 10th |
| Passing defense | 3,986 | 234.5 | 24th |
| Rushing defense | 1,678 | 98.7 | 8th |
| Total defense | 5,664 | 333.2 | 16th |
Source:ProFootballReference.com[13][14]
