Vikings fan survey: Thoughts on J.J. McCarthy, biggest concerns for 2024 and more

It’s almost time, folks. Time for daily press conferences and hourly observations spamming your social media feeds. Time for another Minnesota Vikings training camp.

It seems like you’re ready — or at least mildly excited with low expectations. That’s the vibe that came across in our annual survey.

More than 1,700 of you filtered through the questions and provided your thoughts. Thank you for that. The engagement ticked up from last year, which is much appreciated.

I compiled the results and compared them to last year, especially when the questions were similar. Light blue highlights the response offered by most of you.

Without further ado, here are the responses:

Overall thoughts

1. How confident are you that the Vikings are moving in the right direction?

2. How would you rate the job done by the front office this offseason?

One of the most interesting aspects of this survey is comparing the year-over-year results, and we’ll do that throughout. Last year, nearly half of you thought the Vikings were moving in the right direction. This year’s results were even more optimistic.

This offseason appears to weigh heavily in the minds of readers. Most felt like the 2023 offseason was middling; a “3” was the most popular answer at this time last year. This year, more than 75 percent of you landed on the positive side of the aisle. Moving on from Kirk Cousins seemed to satisfy many, and the free-agent decisions, for the most part, have gone over well.

Organizational trust levels

1. How would you rate your trust level in team ownership?

2. How would you rate your trust level in general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah?

3. How would you rate your trust level in head coach Kevin O’Connell?

The starkest difference between these responses and last year’s was the feeling about O’Connell. He received rave reviews last year, but the trust has heightened even after a less-than-successful, injury-plagued, 7-10 season. Some offered criticisms of the head coach, specifically involving the team’s turnover issues and struggles in the run game. Broadly, though, you appear to be believers in his leadership style and presence as the front-facing figure of the team.

Opinions about ownership did not change. Most of you are positive about the Wilfs’ commitment; the number of respondents with a “high level of trust” rose from last year.

As for Adofo-Mensah, tepid feelings remain, which I’ll expand on in the following section.

Extension opinions

1. Would you extend Kwesi Adofo-Mensah right now?

2. Would you extend Kevin O’Connell right now?

In the short-answer portion of the survey, those who mentioned Adofo-Mensah often cited his lack of draft production. Some focused on Adofo-Mensah, while others questioned the scouting staff. Altogether, most of you seem to think — rightfully, I believe — that the narrative about his drafting ability (or lack thereof) hinges on the futures of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner.

There is a clear difference, too, in your feelings about extensions regarding the general manager and the head coach. O’Connell? If the Wilfs extended his contract tomorrow, the overwhelming response would be satisfaction.

As a whole, readers have a higher level of trust in coach Kevin O’Connell than they do general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. (David Berding / Getty Images)

Expectations

1. What are your expectations for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings?

2. Will the Vikings win the Super Bowl in the next 10 years?

On this side of the computer, I was most curious about what you’d say about your expectations for 2024. Would you be OK with a six-win season? Is making the playoffs the bar for success? The answer lies somewhere in the middle of those two worlds, which, in my opinion, reflects the fan base’s level of awareness. Hope does not abound for 2024, specifically.

But for 2025 and beyond?

“They’re two years and a top cornerback away from making a deep playoff run,” one of you said.

“I think we all need to recognize the moves made are for the next four years,” another said. “Not just this year.”

Impossible as that is for the team to admit publicly, it’s probably true. And in terms of what the future holds, you think there’s plenty of reason for hope. There was almost a 10 percent increase this year in readers thinking the Vikings will win the Super Bowl in the next 10 years. Maybe that’s a byproduct of the moves made this offseason. Maybe it’s mere delusion. It’s interesting regardless of the reason.

The plan for J.J. McCarthy

1. When do you want J.J. McCarthy to make his starting debut?

2. When do you think J.J. McCarthy will make his starting debut?

Maybe I’m ignorant to have assumed these results would be flipped. Waiting until 2025 for McCarthy to start felt more like the reality than a fan preference. Apparently, it’s not. This is a sign that you’re willing to be patient with the Vikings’ first-round pick, so long as they get it right.

A few of you wrote some form of “trust the process” with McCarthy and don’t want the team to react on a whim during the season. It’s an easy message to get behind in the spring and summer, but it might be harder to stick to during the season. How the Vikings approach McCarthy’s introduction to the NFL is one of the most fascinating questions of 2024, and, at least initially, it appears as if their slow-play messaging has hit the right note with fans.

Thoughts on 2024

1. Which newly added free agent are you most excited about?

2. How many yards will Sam Darnold throw for this season?

3. Do you think the Vikings should add another wide receiver?

4. What is your level of confidence in the Vikings’ offensive line?

5. What is your biggest area of concern for the 2024 season?

6. What NFC North opponent are you most afraid of this season?

I laughed out loud at one respondent’s message: “I’m not afraid of anyone.” Point taken. Thank you. Rightfully, though, many of you have a healthy respect for the Lions. They return offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, added a couple of dynamic press-man cornerbacks in the draft and returned essentially all of their pivotal players.

They’re a roadblock for the Vikings, and it’s clear that the other question marks are pretty evenly dispersed. Cornerback depth and the strength of the Vikings’ lines of scrimmage are major questions. You seem to think Darnold will be solid enough. There’s some excitement surrounding Aaron Jones. None of these results were surprising, especially the fact that most of you would like to see the team add another receiver.

Thoughts on game day

1. Do you consider Vikings ticket prices to be affordable?

2. How would you rate the game day experience last year at U.S. Bank Stadium?

How about that? Almost half of the respondents didn’t attend a game in 2023. This isn’t a statement about the game day experience, although ticket prices were deemed too expensive. The reasons for the lack of attendance are likely location, the comfort at home and the team’s abundance of injuries down the stretch. If you chose not to attend the at-home shellacking against the Packers on Dec. 31, bravo. Good choice.

Final thoughts

Because this is your fan survey, it would only be right to leave the final word for y’all.

Here goes nothing:

• Solid organization, good ownership, fine team.

• Competent people. Give them a chance to finish the job.

• They better be right about McCarthy.

• This feels like Tommy Kramer taking over for Fran Tarkenton. Hopefully, it works this time. Give me a Super Bowl, please.

• Same old Vikings.

• Skeptical.

• Best of the lousiest, and lousiest of the best.

• Nervous, excited, scared and ready to enjoy the pain of another season.

• I’m a sucker. They have a chance until they don’t.

• Just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in.

• First chapter of a new book.

• Next year we rise.

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(Photo: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)