Minnesota Vikings Name 2025 Team Captains

We are just 11 days from the Minnesota Vikings kicking off their regular season against the Chicago Bears. J.J. McCarthy will be under center for his first professional game.
Kevin O’Connell’s team is coming off a 14-win season. Sam Darnold is gone and the defensive front has plenty of new faces. There are still some pillars across the 53-man roster, and that’s where the captains come in.
Eight captains named for MN Vikings
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has proven to be among the best leaders across the entirety of the NFL. He has to do so from the sidelines however. The extension of his voice on the field comes in the form of hand-picked captains. This season their are eight of them.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has announced the 2025 #Vikings team captains
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 28, 2025
QB J.J. McCarthy
WR Justin Jefferson
S Harrison Smith
RB Aaron Jones Sr.
LS Andrew DePaola
S Josh Metellus
OLB Jonathan Greenard
T Brian O'Neill pic.twitter.com/T6zylOALFc
When quarterback J.J. McCarthy takes the field for his first NFL start, he will do so wearing a “C” on his chest. The young signal caller is being empowered by his coach, and from there it’s up to him.
Plenty of veterans will rock the “C” patch as well. Justin Jefferson continues to be the focal point of Minnesota’s offense. Aaron Jones is back again to bolster the backfield. Brian O’Neill has been a constant force on the frontline.
Related: Minnesota Vikings 2025 Final 53-Man Roster
This offseason Josh Metellus was given a nice new contract extension. He is among the defensive captains and certainly doesn’t take the opportunity for granted.
Harrison Smith is entering is entering his 14th NFL season. It’s crazy to think how long he has continued to compete at such a high level. He’ll be working to help break in new starter Theo Jackson this season as well.
Minnesota is primed to make noise in the NFC North, and if J.J. McCarthy is the real deal, there’s no reason to put a cap on how high they can go.
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