The Vikings, coming off a 14-3 season, sent seven players to the Pro Bowl this year. After a strong start on Thursday in the skills competition, Minnesota and the rest of the NFC dominated the majority of the flag football game to take home a 76-63 win. There was also opportunities to earn extra points in a football race, tug-of-war and a Madden face-off.

Byron Murphy’s MVP day

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr. was named the defensive MVP of Sunday’s event. In his first Pro Bowl, the former second-round pick had a pick-six and five “tackles” to lead the NFC to the win.

The interception came on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Murphy jumped the pass thrown by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and took it eight yards to the house. Byron Murphy then jumped into the foam pit used for the tug-of-war competition, where he was joined by NFC teammates and mascots. One of the first ones to jump in after him was fellow MN Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard.

#ProBowlGames PICK 6‼️@byronmurphy

📺: @ESPN | @ABC pic.twitter.com/ggwI0TmrDK

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 2, 2025

Murphy’s day helped the NFC claim a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup. The 27-year-old signed with the Vikings back in 2023 and is set to be a free agent this offseason. Minnesota has made it a mission to resign him, but he will likely command more than the $17.5 million they gave him two years ago.

Related: Jefferson Flops, Darnold Shines Repping Vikings During NFL Skills Competition

The raise would be warranted. Murphy picked off a career-high six passes this season, tying for third in the NFL. He’s been a starter for 31 games over the past two seasons, so he will be a hot commodity for teams that need help in the secondary.

Minnesota Vikings’ Darnold and Jefferson connect

Earlier in the game, two other Minnesota Vikings got their names on the scoreboard. Nursing a 33-22 lead late in the second quarter, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold connected with top receiver Justin Jefferson for a 21-yard strike. A couple plays later, Darnold found Jefferson again for a two-yard touchdown, and the griddying ensued.

Viking to Viking TD and Griddy 😤

📺: #ProBowlGames on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/ODcwi2y4Wq

— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2025

Jefferson finished the day with six catches for 46 yards and the touchdown. Darnold was 9-of-13 passing for 72 yards, but was picked off by the Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey midway through the second quarter.

Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola and offensive tackle Brian O’Neill didn’t have roles in the flag football game, but both still assisted their conference in victory. DePaola helped the NFC win “The Great Football Race” by knocking down giant bowling pins, while O’Neill was the anchor in a quick tug-of-war win.

Related: MN Vikings are “Really Happy with JJ McCarthy” According to New Report

When the dust settled, the NFC won the weekend’s festivities 76-63. Lions quarterback Jared Goff took home offensive MVP honors, and head coach Eli Manning bested his brother for the third straight year.

This year, the MN Vikings sent seven players to the Pro Bowl. That number is tied with the Lions for the second-most in the NFL. Headlining that group is wide receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Sam Darnold. Those two started off the festivities in Orlando on Thursday with the first rounds of the skills competition.

Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold helps NFC take lead

It started off with a passing event. Quarterbacks had to throw at a series of targets that gave incremental point values based on how difficult the throw was. The one-point throws were the easiest with a big, standstill frame. The four and five-point throws were a lot smaller, farther away and moving side-to-side.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold excelled during his round, scoring 39 points. He had a run of six straight throws that were on target, giving team captain Eli Manning something to be proud of. Darnold’s score was second behind Lions quarterback Jared Goff (44), and he beat out guys like Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson and Drake Maye on the AFC side.

Six straight!

Sam Darnold wasn't missing many targets 🎯

📺: #ProBowlGames on ESPN
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6qmCNgAUsN

— NFL (@NFL) January 31, 2025

Related: Vikings Superstar Justin Jefferson Receives Another Honor

The next game was “Satisfying Catches.” Each side picked one wide receiver, one defensive back and one tight end to take part in a receiving gauntlet. The NFC rolled out Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Bears cornerback Jaylen Johnson and Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.

Justin Jefferson’s Run

Jefferson went first, but he was not as smooth as Minnesota Vikings fan have become accustomed to seeing. In the one-handed catch portion, it took Jettas six tries to make the three catches, adding precious time to his team’s total. He also whiffed on his first attempt catching with the mascot gloves, but got it on the second try.

When it came to the diving catch, Jefferson didn’t even lunge out, instead opting to run the agility drill after two failed attempts. One could argue the balls thrown at him weren’t catchable, but nonetheless he finished his round in 51 seconds. The NFC as a whole put up a time of 1:57, which the AFC could not beat despite Jefferson’s struggles.

Justin Jefferson's full run – I beg of the leagues that if you are going to run weird things make sure the players understand what the hell they are doing beforehand pic.twitter.com/fDAXsJgwBX

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 31, 2025

With Darnold and Jefferson each gaining three points for their team, the NFC leads the AFC 14-7 heading into the rest of the competition. On Sunday, the two sides will face off in Madden, tug-of-war, punting and a football race to try and improve their scores. It all culminates in 7-on-7 flag football as the NFC looks for their third straight Pro Bowl win.

Related: NFL Players Vote Vikings QB Sam Darnold CPOY

The mini-games are a far cry from the Pro Bowl of the past, but at least we get to see the athletes trying their best at something. In a traditional Pro Bowl, the effort was minimal, and it made the viewer experience miserable. There’s no perfect solution, but at least the NFL is willing to try something new.

A Pro Bowl selection is still a big deal, and maybe Darnold’s performance will be useful in contract talks this offseason. There’s still no official word on whether the Minnesota Vikings will resign him, but his name is a popular one. He was recently voted by his peers as Comeback Player of the Year.

Being one of four teams with at least six players selected to the Pro Bowl, it comes as no surprise that Vikings players received some recognition after finishing tied for the second-best record in the NFC.

Vikings RT Brian O’Neill selected to second career Pro Bowl

That recognition arrived Monday for right tackle Brian O’Neill, who will make the second Pro Bowl appearance of his career six days from now, with the first coming after the 2021 season. O’Neill is set to replace Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, who is busy preparing for Super Bowl LIX following his team’s 55-23 win in the NFC Championship game (oh good for him).

.@brian_oneill_ has been named to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl
Games.

He will replace Eagles T Lane Johnson. pic.twitter.com/9lIsaL2Fto

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 27, 2025

With O’Neill added to the mix, the MN Vikings will send seven players to the Pro Bowl this year. Quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, cornerback Byron Murphy, linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and long snapper Andrew DePaola will all make the trip to Orlando for Sunday’s flag football matchup against the AFC. It’s the most pro bowlers the Vikings have had since 2009, when they sent eight.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowlers Revealed

Since being drafted by the Vikings in 2018, Brian O’Neill has consistently been one of the better tackles in all of the NFL. He’s had six consecutive years with a PFF grade above 70, including an overall grade of 80.8 during the regular season this year that placed him fourth among right tackles. The 29-year-old is signed with Minnesota through 2026 after locking down a $92.5 million contract extension in 2021.

O’Neill’s stellar year with the Minnesota Vikings

Holding down the right side, Brian O’Neill helped the Minnesota Vikings finish with one of the top passing offenses in the NFL. They were fifth in yards per attempt, passing yards and passing touchdowns with a passer rating of 102.9, good for sixth in the league. He’s formidable in the run game as well, although the Vikings struggled with that area of the game this season.

Brian O'Neill is a really good run-blocker. I just started a deep dive into his 2019 film tonight and these two really caught my eye. pic.twitter.com/Yc0Nm2owzT

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) July 16, 2020

Related: Four Pending Free Agents the Vikings Need to Bring Back

Even with injuries racking up on the offensive line, O’Neill continued to stay solid no matter who lined up next to him. The MN Vikings gave up 49 sacks this season, tied for the ninth-most in the league, but only two were attributed to O’Neill. He only allowed 19 pressures all year, putting him second behind Lane Johnson among right tackles, and had six games with no pressures allowed at all.

Still in the prime of his career, Brian O’Neill has been rewarded for his successful season and will be a key piece for the Minnesota Vikings moving forward, as he’ll need to protect whatever quarterback trots out for the purple in 2025.

But football games are played on the field, and on Thursday morning, the NFL announced the 2025 Pro Bowl rosters, and the Vikings had six players make the prestigious list, five were named starters. Quarterback Sam Darnold is the only one who is not a starter.

It’s the longest list of Vikings Pro Bowl selections since 2009. Justin Jefferson makes the NFC roster yet again, something he has accomplished every season of his NFL career. Andrew DePaola is also becoming a regular. On the other hand, most guys will make their first ever appearance, including Sam Darnold.

1. Sam Darnold (QB)*
2. Justin Jefferson (WR)****
3. Byron Murphy Jr (CB)*
4. Andrew Van Ginkel (EDGE)*
5. Jonathan Greenard (EDGE)*
6. Andrew DePaola (LS)***

Of course, the Pro Bowl is not a game anymore. It is now a series of mini-games between the NFC and AFC. Each team receives points for winning each competition. The team with the most points at the end of the day wins.

The “2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games” will be held in Orlando, FL, one week before the Super Bowl (Feb. 2). If the Minnesota Vikings were to play in the Super Bowl, their Pro Bowlers would not attend the Pro Bowl games.

Vikings Pro Bowl alternates

Each team also gets alternate selections, for when the NFL inevitably has to replace Pro Bowlers who can’t make it to Orlando for Super Bowl or personal reasons. There were seven Minnesota Vikings tapped as 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games” alternates.

• 1st alternate: CJ Ham (FB)
• 3rd alternate: Garrett Bradbury (C)
• 3rd alternate: Josh Metellus (S)
• 4th alternate: TJ Hockenson (TE)
• 4th alternate: Brian O’Neill (RT)
• 4th alternate: Trent Sherfield (ST)
• 6th alternate: Harrison Phillips (DL)

Pro Bowl is basically just a Minnesota Vikings roster

Players have been utilizing social media for Pro Bowl consideration over the past handful of weeks. Multiple Vikings players have organized giveaways and goodies for fans in order to garner interest. On field play hasn’t hurt their cases either, and a trip to Orlando may be in store for more than a few.

Here’s the Top 10 by position in the final balloting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.

Player selections are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches, with each group’s vote counting as one-third. Announcement on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/rEpRRfHFF9

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2024

Fan voting is not the final determination, as Tom Pelissero points out. Both coaches and players will still have their say and Thursday will provide an announcement of the final results. As of now though, the Vikings roster has polled incredibly strong with fans.

That’s a whole boatload of players that have gained significant fan support. It’s a bit odd that Sam Darnold wouldn’t be among the top ten, but there’s almost zero chance he won’t make his first Pro Bowl after the rest of the voting contingent has their say. Right tackle Brian O’Neill could get the nod as well.

Related: Of Course the Vikings are Going to Activate Daniel Jones

The Pro Bowl is currently scheduled for February 2, 2025. Not a single Vikings player would worry about being unavailable for that contest if they are preparing for one on February 9. A massive matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday is the first step, but they remain legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

CJ Ham about to have a permanent spot in the Hormel Row of Fame pic.twitter.com/WyYYINT6wy

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 30, 2024

Minnesota’s unsung heroes continue to be recognized by fans throughout the league. DePaola made the Pro Bowl last season for the second time, and C.J. Ham has two appearances from a dying position in FB. Sherfield Sr. is in line for his first appearance during his debut season with Minnesota as well.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Kicker Starts for Third Team This Year

The Vikings must get through the upcoming weekend healthy, and if Kevin O’Connell’s team emerges victorious, Pro Bowl consideration may be the last thing on their minds.

Related: Vikings Fans Have Been Sold a Bill of Salary Cap Lies

While this event may seem fun and casual, it holds significant value for McCardell, who sees it as a big opportunity for his coaching future. Reports have surfaced recently, regarding McCardell’s imminent ambitions to call plays as an offensive coordinator, and he has his eyes set on eventually becoming a head coach.

Keenan McCardell sees Pro Bowl Games as great opportunity

Given who will be around that weekend, both from a player, coach and executive standpoint, the Pro Bowl Games present Keenan an incredibly opportunity to network and show off his football knowledge to people who matter. For good reason, the Vikings position coach sees this as a pivotal opportunity for his career, going forward.

“It will be good to get out in front of the best of the best of the league… Just show your skill set can you call plays and get guys the ball? It’s fun and I understand it’s an exhibition for those guys. I understand where their attention span is. I just know as it comes down to the end of the game, those competitive spirits get firing, you’ve got to be ready to call the right stuff for them. I just want to get a chance to show I can call plays.”

Keenan McCardell – via NFL.com

If McCardell has it his way, he will have an ‘offensive coordinator’ title and the responsibility of calling plays for an NFL offense. A promotion in Minnesota makes sense, especially after current OC Wes Phillips got into DWI trouble at the end of last season.

Related: PFF Floats Vikings as Possible Landing Spot for Antoine Winfield Jr

But unlike other OC positions, head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t going to let him call plays. Thus, McCardell may explore other opportunities and choose to take his talents elsewhere, should a play-calling opportunity arise. At the Pro Bowl Games, McCardell will get a small chance to prove what he can do with a play sheet, but more so his creativity and how he connects with superstar players.

Wes Welker Alongside McCardell

For the first time ever, the Pro Bowl Games will feature former NFL players, turned position coaches, serving as offensive coordinators. Former Patriot great, Wes Welker, now the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins, takes on the role for the AFC team.

“Being around different people and different ways of doing things, different techniques, especially at the Pro Bowl, you’re around a lot of really good players, picking stuff up from them, maybe they ask a question…It’s people that have spent their whole lives doing this and perfecting their techniques. Any time you’re around people at the top of their game, it’s helpful.”

Wes Welker – via NFL.com

Both McCardell and Welker, former Pro Bowl players in their own rights, now find themselves embarking on a new challenge together, and against each one another, as coaches in the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games.

I don’t mean to poo poo on the incredible season Minnesota Vikings RB, Dalvin Cook has had. The real ones know he’s the best running back in the NFL and in 2020, he’s officially the NFC RB1. But Justin Jefferson making the Pro Bowl roster as a rookie wasn’t the obviously easy pick like Cook was at RB.

What a season for the rookie WR out of LSU. Remember, FOUR wide receivers were taken in the 2020 NFL Draft before Justin Jefferson. But he’s the only one to make a pro bowl roster.

Jets & The Chef! @JJettas2 and @dalvincook have been named to the Pro Bowl! pic.twitter.com/YjVgBO3KYe

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 22, 2020

We can talk about Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl snubs another time (Eric Kendricks and Harrison Smith). We shouldn’t be shocked anymore, especially with Kendricks, who we’ve seen get overlooked for his entire career in purple.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The 2019 Pro Bowl Rosters were just released and four Minnesota Vikings made the cut.

Congratulations to our #ProBowl selections!@AnthonyBarr – ????@HarriSmith22 – ????@athielen19 – ??@DHunt94_TX – ? pic.twitter.com/zx9wlsHbAO

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 19, 2018

1. (WR)  Adam Thielen: 105 REC | 1255 YDS | 9 TDS
2. (OLB)  Anthony Barr: 49 TKL | 6 TFL | 3 SACKS
3. (DE) Danielle Hunter: 66 TKL | 20 TFL | 14.5 SACKS
4. (FS) Harrison Smith: 71 TKL | 6 TFL | 3 SACKS | 2 FR | 3 INT

There are more guys on the defensive side of the ball (Richardson, Kendricks, Rhodes, Waynes) that deserve a spot on that roster and there will probably be more that make it after injuries keep a bunch of guys out. I could also see Stefon Diggs finding his way. 

Nobody gives a fuck about the Pro Bowl anyway but it’s always nice to stack it with Vikings.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Frank Sinatra taught us all that “the best revenge is massive success.” Since that man did it his way, I treat that quote, and almost everything else he said, as gold.

Harrison Smith be like: pic.twitter.com/3N9J3jG4zA

— Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN) December 27, 2017

Harrison Smith seems to share Frank’s mindset. You’d imagine the Vikings safety had a little extra chip on his shoulder for Saturday night’s game vs. the Packers. The contest took place 4 days after it was announced that Smith was left off the 2018 Pro-Bowl roster. I haven’t seen a snub like that since DiCaprio didn’t even receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in Titanic. Bullshit.

The Notre Dame alum responded with massive success on the football field less than a week after his snub. His 2 interception, 2 pass-break up, and 7 tackle performance in Lambeau was strong enough to earn him NFC Defensive Player of the Week Honors:

Per Pro Football Focus’ grading scale, Smith’s showing on Saturday earned him a 99.9 overall mark. That perfect score is only the 15th given out by PFF since 2006.

Packers QB, Brett Hundley, finished the game with a 16.7 passing rating when throwing at the 28 year-old, Georgia Native. That’s even lower than Packer Nation’s current morale. The 16-0 Minnesota Victory, lead by Harrison Smith, was our defense’s’ first shutout in nearly a quarter-century.

“Harry the Hitman” is the lone player in the NFL this year with at least 70 tackles, a sack, and 5 interceptions. He is having a historic season. Rams DT, Aaron Donald, is currently the only player with higher overall rating during the 2017 campaign than Smith. Number’s don’t lie:

Harrison Smith on the season:
25 stops
0 TDs allowed
5 INT
5 Pass Breakups
In the 12 years PFF has data for, there has been no other player with 0 TDs allowed, 25+ stops and 5+ interceptions in a season

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) December 24, 2017

The Pro-Bowl snub is what it is at this stage (Eric’s Editor’s note: A &$@#$%^ ATROCITY!). There’s not much of a point to dive any further into that realm. We all know that Smith deserved to be selected. At the end of the day, Vikings’ fans should consider it a blessing. A little extra juice flowing through Harrison Smith’s veins only makes Mike Zimmer’s defense that much more dangerous.

Christmas came early this year! @HarriSmith22 With the INT?? pic.twitter.com/46FwaDK9SR

— Vikings Report (@report_vikings) December 24, 2017

Plus, if things go as planned, we won’t see ANY Vikings play in the Pro-Bowl. With the NFL’s version of an All-Star game taking place before the Super Bowl, the teams participating in the big game have zero representatives in Orlando. No one is missing Super Bowl preparation time or risking an injury to compete in a carnival contest.

The Vikings will play their final regular season game of 2017, on Sunday. A home win vs. the Bears would lock-up Minnesota’s first-round playoff bye. The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, his teammates, and his coaches will do their part. As fans, make sure you continue to do yours:

“We need some help from our fans this week just like they’ve helped us all year.” – Coach Zimmer

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 27, 2017

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com