Minnesota Vikings Poised for a Big Night at NFL Honors

A Night of Celebration in New Orleans
Tonight promises to be a thrilling evening for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans as the annual NFL Honors show takes place in New Orleans. Set to air at 8 p.m. Central Time on FOX and NFL Network, the event will recognize the league’s top performers, including the announcement of the prestigious MVP award and the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. Hosted by the legendary Snoop Dogg, the night is expected to be filled with excitement, surprises, and historic moments.

Vikings in the Spotlight
The Vikings have three finalists among the eight main awards, which were determined by the Associated Press. One of these nominees stands out as having a particularly strong chance of taking home an award.

Sam Darnold’s Journey to Comeback Player of the Year
Quarterback Sam Darnold is a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year award. Though the award criteria now focus on players returning from illness or injury, Darnold’s resurgence with an outstanding Pro Bowl season in Minnesota earned him a spot among the nominees. The competition includes Joe Burrow, J.K. Dobbins, Christian Gonzalez, and Damar Hamlin. However, Burrow, who made a stunning comeback from a 2023 wrist injury, is the clear favorite.

Kevin O’Connell’s Bid for Coach of the Year
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is in the running for Coach of the Year and is considered the betting favorite. Leading Minnesota to an impressive 14-3 record despite preseason expectations of just 6.5 wins, O’Connell has proven himself as one of the league’s brightest coaching minds. He faces competition from Dan Campbell, Dan Quinn, Sean Payton, and Andy Reid. The race appears to be between O’Connell and Campbell, with O’Connell having a strong chance to bring home the award. The last Vikings coach to win the honor was Bud Grant in 1969.

Brian Flores in Contention for Assistant Coach of the Year
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been recognized as a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, Minnesota’s defense ranked among the best in the league across multiple metrics. While he is deserving of the nomination, the award will likely go to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is also a finalist alongside Aaron Glenn, Joe Brady, and Vic Fangio.

C.J. Ham Represents Minnesota for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
The prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award will also be announced tonight. Each team has a nominee, and the Vikings’ representative is beloved fullback C.J. Ham, who has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the field.

Jared Allen Awaits Potential Hall of Fame Induction
One of the biggest storylines of the night for Vikings fans is whether franchise legend Jared Allen will receive his long-awaited induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A finalist for the fifth consecutive year, Allen is one of 15 modern-era candidates vying for a maximum of five spots. He faces stiff competition from elite names like Luke Kuechly, Antonio Gates, Terrell Suggs, Torry Holt, Eli Manning, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, and Marshal Yanda.

With 136 career sacks—tied for 16th in NFL history—Allen’s resume speaks for itself. Every player ranked above him, except for Suggs, is already in the Hall of Fame. Will this be the year Allen finally receives the legendary knock on his door?

Stay Connected with the Vikings
No matter how the night unfolds, it’s bound to be an exciting one for the Vikings and their loyal fanbase. To stay updated on all things Minnesota Vikings, be sure to bookmark Minnesota Vikings On SI, subscribe to the team’s YouTube channel, and sign up for their free newsletter.

Let’s hope tonight brings plenty of awards—and perhaps a long-overdue Hall of Fame induction—for the Vikings!