Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has started his head coaching career relatively well. He is 43-25 in his first four years as a head coach, including seasons with 13 and 14 wins.

That kind of success is hard to see immediately, but it has come with a price. O’Connell still doesn’t have a playoff win. That is far from ideal, especially for a team that is still trying to win a Super Bowl for the first time.

The biggest reason for the Vikings’ success in 2022 and 2024 vs. their struggles in 2023 and 2025 is simple: injuries. Success in 2026 will hinge on staying healthy, and these players are the most important to their success.

5. P Johnny Hekker or P Brett Thorson

Last season, kicker Will Reichard was perfect on extra points and missed just two of 33 field goals. Both of those misses were arguably due to hitting the sky cam cables. One of the biggest reasons why he had that kind of success was due to the consistency in the process.

The Vikings have placed a high value on holding, which is why they made Hekker their veteran signing, as he’s known as the best holder in the game. Having that continuity is such a big deal for the success of a kicker, and whether it be him or Thorson as the holder, will be huge in keeping their field goal success.

4. LT Christian Darrisaw

We know that Darrisaw is arguably a top-five left tackle in football, but his return season from a torn ACL in October of 2024 was not great. He played in just 10 games and his play was inconsistent. Yes, the Vikings had 23 different offensive line combinations throughout the year, but his presence is such a big deal.

Having Darrisaw on the offensive line is massive, as it allows the Vikings to be more multiple. They can play him on an island and do a four-man slide to the right to help make everyone else’s jobs easier. Even with an improvement at swing tackle in Ryan Van Demark, Darrisaw being healthy is a huge deal.

3. QB Kyler Murray

When O’Connell has his preferred quarterback, like he did in 2022 and 2024, the Vikings have been incredibly successful. 27-7 is a bonkers record across those two seasons, and they somehow won zero playoff games during that stretch.

It certainly appears that Murray is his choice this year, and he’s been far from consistent when it comes to injuries. Even with his injury history, there isn’t a lot to look at. An ankle sprain cost him three games, a torn ACL cost him multiple games across two seasons, and a foot injury hindered him in 2025. He’s not suffering injuries every season, and it’s far from a certainty he will get injured again. Even so, keeping him healthy is a big deal.

2. EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel

We know how important Dallas Turner is going to be to this defense with him replacing Jonathan Greenard, but it’s who plays on the opposite side that matters the most. Van Ginkel has been great during his first two seasons, including 7.0 sacks in 12 games last season.

With Turner being a full-time starter for the first time, trying to make his job easier should be the priority. If Van Ginkel gets hurt, it will make Turner’s job significantly harder, which could make their edge rushers a massive liability.

1. WR Justin Jefferson

It’s simply Jefferson as the top guy. His impact on the field isn’t just measured by him getting the ball, but also just by being on the field. He draws double teams more than anyone else in the NFL at a whopping 53.4%, and that makes things easier for everyone else.

Jordan Addison’s success is rooted in Jefferson being on the field. Drawing that kind of attention is massive for helping others find success. If he gets injured, it’ll make things significantly more difficult for the Vikings.