After a surprising season that ended on a sour note, the Minnesota Vikings have a number of areas to improve upon before the 2025 season.

The Minnesota Vikings defense will look different after Harrison Smith retires but keeping new contributors will help.

Teammates described the relationship between Flores and Smith as like having two coaches in the room rather than coach and player.

Cam Akers: Akers served as a quality back-up to Aaron Jones, rushing for 444 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and coming off his second torn Achilles. He wants to be back if the Vikings will have him.

The Minnesota Vikings’ season is over after a 27-9 loss to the L.A. Rams in the NFC Playoffs, and safety Harrison Smith was among those to take it hardest after the game.

Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) and after replay is ruled out of bounds on his left foot touching the line during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

If this is it for Harrison Smith, his legacy with the Vikings will live forever. After being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Smith has slowly become synonymous with the Vikings over the past decade, putting together a résumé worthy of a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Harrison Smith’s weekly coffee with Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been one part of a special season for both of them and the entire team.

#Vikings S Harrison Smith says the NFL should keep its current playoff format, rewarding division winners the first 4 seeds: “Win your division, get a home game. Thats the NFL. Thats how it’s done in the NFL, that’s how it should stay.” 🎥: @RichEisenShow pic.twitter.com/8K2Pgac96o

The NFL has cracked down hard on two players who led with their helmet on hits in the wild card round of the playoffs.

There's a door open for Jones in Minnesota, according to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. In his end-of-season news conference, Adofo-Mensah openly admitted that the move to sign Jones midseason was to get a feel for his potential fit with questions surrounding Darnold and McCarthy.