Former NFL QB Calls Vikings Out for Roster Failure

This offseason the Minnesota Vikings spent a boatload of money on improving the roster, specifically in the trenches on both sides of the football. In fact, only the New England Patriots spent more than Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office.

The Vikings had a clear plan. They wanted spend less on QB, which is why they let both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk to new teams, so they could use that QB money elsewhere.

So, they dubbed redshirt rookie J.J. McCarthy their starter, then turned around and signed (DT) Javon Hargrave, (DT) Jonathan Allen, (C) Ryan Kelly and (RG) Will Fries. Unfortunately, that plan has not paid off through seven games. As a result, the MN Vikings have a losing record (3-4) going into week 9.

Dan Orlovsky nails Minnesota Vikings as biggest failure

And one former quarterback turned football analyst, Dan Orlovsky (ESPN), who has consistently been a proponent of Kevin O’Connell and his Vikings, is downright disgusted with what he has seen so far.

On Friday, Orlovsky called Minnesota “the most disappointing roster in football right now”, and that was only the start of his rant…

"I think this is the most disappointing roster in football right now."@danorlovsky7 weighs in on the Vikings after their loss to the Chargers on Thursday 👀 pic.twitter.com/1jRkdTwCPP

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 24, 2025

“I think this is the most disappointing roster in football right now. This is an organization that, this offseason spent the second most free agent money in the NFL. This was a roster that was built in many of our eyes to be quarterback independent. This offensive line cannot protect on a consistent basis at all. The interior offensive line is very poor. This run defense has been ran all over this season. All over this year. It happened again last night [Thursday]. The Chargers game I was just like here tight ends run game, stop it.

I’m shocked, because I honestly thought that this team was built to say if you just had average quarterback play, you’re an NFC Championship contender…This roster is unbelievably disappointing right now.”

Dan Orlovsky – ESPN

As Orlovsky points out, quarterback is hardly the Minnesota Vikings’ biggest problem. Whether it was JJ McCarthy or Carson Wentz taking snaps under center, it would have been difficult for any QB to find success with how bad the offensive line has been.

Kevin O’Connell’s advance, high powered offense has looked more like a technological relic that can’t find a compatible charger. And all those expensive improvements up front have fixed nothing. The 2025 MN Vikings have gotten gashed on the ground and through the air.

MN Vikings need to get healthy

Week 9 may bring the return of J.J. McCarthy. But expecting the 22-year-old kid to turn this ship around is probably too much, given how both he and Carson Wentz have been protected thus far.

Thankfully, the offensive line should get healthier over the next week. Ryan Kelly is presumably coming back, possibly even after the bye. If he was calling it quits due to head injuries, we probably would have found out by now.

According to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North), he has been around the team and in the locker room. Both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are expected back next weekend too.

On defense, it remains to be seen when Andrew Van Ginkel will be back. Until then, Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner need to play better, specifically Turner, a first round pick who has yet to flash much 1st round ceiling.