The Minnesota Vikings have once again found themselves on the wrong side of national recognition. CBS Sports released its 2025 NFL Top 100 players list, and the blatant disrespect toward the purple and gold was unmistakable. Despite a roster brimming with young talent and proven veterans, the Vikings were sparsely represented—and completely absent from the upper tiers of the rankings.
Perhaps the most glaring oversight is the positioning of Justin Jefferson. Universally regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the league, Jefferson barely cracked the top 50, coming in at No. 47. This is a player who has consistently put up elite numbers even while dealing with quarterback instability and injuries in 2024. His route-running, catch radius, and game-breaking ability are unmatched, yet CBS seems to think he’s just “above average.”
The snub doesn’t stop there. Christian Darrisaw, arguably a top-5 left tackle in the NFL, was nowhere to be found on the list. Darrisaw anchors an offensive line that was significantly improved last season, helping protect a rotating cast of quarterbacks and opening lanes for the run game. Leaving him off completely is either ignorance or willful oversight.
Even T.J. Hockenson, one of the most versatile and productive tight ends in the league when healthy, was buried low on the list—well behind names who contributed far less in 2024. It’s a stunning lack of respect for a player who has been integral to the Vikings’ offense and has shown leadership both on and off the field.
The disrespect extends to the defensive side of the ball as well. Harrison Smith, while aging, continues to play at a high level and deserves mention for his intelligence, leadership, and knack for game-changing plays. Not including him—or even emerging star linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.—shows a clear blind spot in CBS Sports’ evaluative process.
There’s also the curious case of the rookie QB J.J. McCarthy. While it’s understandable not to rank a rookie too high before they’ve taken a regular-season snap, the complete omission of the Vikings’ first-rounder—especially when other rookie quarterbacks did appear in honorable mentions—is perplexing. McCarthy has received glowing reviews in camp and is expected to be an immediate contributor.
This isn’t the first time the Vikings have been treated as an afterthought in league-wide rankings, and fans are rightfully fed up. National outlets continue to act as though the only teams worth acknowledging are those in the biggest markets or with the loudest media narratives. Minnesota, a team that quietly builds talent through the draft and develops it steadily, is continually left out of the conversation.
The Vikings’ 2024 season, while not without its bumps, showed real progress. The defense under Brian Flores made major strides, the offensive line gelled, and the team stayed competitive in the NFC playoff race despite quarterback injuries. To have that growth completely ignored in a major preseason list is disrespectful to the organization and its fans.
There’s also an underlying tone of skepticism that always seems to shadow the Vikings. Whether it’s rooted in past playoff heartbreaks or simply a media bias toward flashier franchises, the narrative around Minnesota is that they’re good—but never great. That assumption bleeds into evaluations like CBS’s list, resulting in lazy omissions and underwhelming placements.
Lists like CBS’s carry weight heading into the season. They shape the media narrative, influence fantasy drafts, and often become the benchmark for player recognition. So when a team like the Vikings is repeatedly brushed aside, it affects more than just pride—it impacts perception, contracts, and even fan engagement.
Vikings fans deserve better. The players deserve better. And frankly, the league deserves better than an “expert” list that fails to recognize one of the most dynamic young rosters in football. As the 2025 season kicks off, don’t be surprised if the Vikings use this slight as fuel. History has shown that when this team is underestimated, they respond with fire.
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