The 2021 season was another disappointing one for the Minnesota Vikings, ending with another below-.500 record while missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season. As a result, Minnesota cleaned house with the firing of head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman with searches now underway to fill those positions to lead the franchise moving forward. Even though there will be new voices on the sidelines at head coach and in the front office at general manager in 2022, the Vikings roster itself will likely look similar to what took the field this year. Before that takes place, let’s look back at the year that was and hand out some season-ending awards for Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings 2021 Season Team Awards
Most Valuable Player: Justin Jefferson
In just his second NFL season, Justin Jefferson has led the Vikings as arguably their best player at the age of 22. Coming off of an impressive rookie campaign, Jefferson took another step towards stardom in 2021. Not only was he the Most Valuable Player in Minnesota but became one of the top wide receivers in the league.
On a weekly basis, Jefferson provided the Vikings with a deep ball threat and a reliable player in the passing game to help counter the talented rushing attack led by Dalvin Cook. Jefferson’s explosiveness and big-time play capabilities quickly pushed him into the top receiver spot on the roster. He also reminds Vikings fans of some of the same characteristics Randy Moss carried in purple in gold.
Moving forward, Jefferson will continue to be a key piece in Minnesota’s offense and was the Most Valuable Player on the team this season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson
As noted above, Jefferson was one of the keys to the Vikings offense in 2021. Although it felt like Minnesota could have utilized him more to take advantage of his big-play capabilities. With that said, he was still the best player offensively and even had a chance to break a franchise receiving record in just his second season.
Playing in all 17 games, Jefferson posted career-highs with 108 catches, including 10 touchdowns, and 1,616 yards. Jefferson ranked fourth in the NFL in catches, second in receiving yards, and tied for sixth in touchdowns. Averaging 95.1 receiving yards a game, he fell 17 yards shy of Moss’ single-season Vikings record of 1,632 receiving yards set in 2003.
Jefferson has it all, and the new coaching regime will have to focus on utilizing his talents, even more, when they take over in 2022 and beyond. Jefferson has already become the most valuable player and offensive player on the Vikings.
Defensive Player of the Year: Eric Kendricks
To anchor the middle of the defense, linebacker Eric Kendricks has increasingly become a more and more important player for the Vikings since he came into the NFL in 2015. Kendricks took another step up in production in 2021, winning him the Vikings award for Defensive Player of the Year.
At 29 years of age, Kendricks enjoyed a career year this season while taking the field in 15 games. The seventh-year linebacker finished the year with a career-high 143 combined tackles, 81 of those which were recorded by himself. Kendricks also hauled in two interceptions, recorded one fumble recovery, and added a career-high five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
As long as Kendricks can remain healthy and on the field, he has the ability to be a star for Minnesota. And his production in 2021 proved the team should build this defense around him moving forward.
Comeback Player of the Year: Anthony Barr
Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr has received some criticism the last few years for somewhat of a lack of production to go along with injuries that have kept him off the field. Even with that feedback, Barr still had a bounce-back campaign in 2021 to make him Comeback Player of the Year for Minnesota.
Barr only played in two games a season ago while dealing with injuries that kept him on the sidelines. This season however he played in 11 games, re-establishing himself as a difference-maker on defense. He finished with a career-high three interceptions, 72 tackles, and 2.5 sacks. Additionally, he had six quarterback hits and three tackles to his name.
Barr still has room to improve moving forward and his health is a big question mark, but he did have a comeback campaign in his eighth season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Kene Nwangwu
One player who saw an increased workload as the regular season progressed was rookie running back and special teams specialist Kene Nwangwu, who earned himself recognition as Offensive Rookie of the Year on the team in 2021.
A fourth-round draft pick out of Iowa State, Nwangwu didn’t appear in a game for Minnesota until Week 8. Once he saw action and showcased his play-making abilities, he earned himself more playing time as the season progressed.
Nwangwu started the year primarily on the special teams unit, where he impressed and even returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Come season’s end, he saw 13 carries for 61 yards on offense too. Nwangwu showed he can be a useful player moving forward and could end up seeing even more playing time in his second season.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Camryn Bynum
Like Nwangwu, rookie cornerback Camryn Bynum saw an increased workload as the regular season moved along on the defensive side of the ball for the Vikings. The fourth-round draft pick ended up playing in 14 games for Minnesota, starting in three of those contests.
On defense, Bynum was the most impressive rookie, earning him one of the Vikings awards. The 23-year-old played 23% of defensive snaps on the year and more than half of the snaps on special teams.
In 14 appearances, Bynum totaled 28 total tackles, one interception, one tackle for a loss, and a quarterback hit. Bynum could play a bigger role defensively should he continue to produce.
Most Improved Player: K.J. Osborn
Going into the season, many wondered who would fill the third receiver role. With Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the roster, the Vikings simply needed someone reliable to step up. As the regular season progressed, that ended up being K.J. Osborn. Whose breakout sophomore season earns him the 2021 Vikings award for Most Improved Player.
As a rookie in 2020, Osborn appeared in just nine games and didn’t record target on offense with Minnesota. Primarily, he was a special teams player who took the field in just under half of the special team’s plays. All changed in year two, as Osborn played 68% of the team’s snaps and produced on a weekly basis
The 24-year-old wideout finished the season playing in all 17 games, starting in nine of those contests. He recorded 50 catches on 82 targets, hauling in 655 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. Osborn stepped up in 2021, and Minnesota might have a new third option through the air going forward.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
