2016 Minnesota Vikings season


The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and their third under head coach Mike Zimmer. After starting the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week, the Vikings managed just three victories after the bye and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with a 38–25 road loss to the Packers. They joined the 1978 Redskins, 1993 Saints, 2003 Vikings, 2009 Broncos, 2009 Giants and 2015 Falcons in missing the playoffs after starting 5–0 or better. The Vikings are the only team in NFL history to start 5–0 or better more than once and on both occasions miss the playoffs.
The team's new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, opened at the start of the season, with a regular season debut victory on September 18 against division rival Green Bay on NBC Sunday Night Football. It was built on the site of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the team's home from 1982 through 2013. The Vikings played at the outdoor TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota in 2014 and 2015.
On August 30, starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending ACL tear and dislocated knee on a non-contact play during team practice. Originally, it was reported that Bridgewater's injury would keep him out for around a year-and-a-half, and on January 27, 2017, it was reported that it was possible he could also miss the entire 2017 season. The extent of Bridgewater's injury prompted the Vikings to make a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for former number 1 draft pick Sam Bradford, giving up a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 Draft in exchange. Adrian Peterson's season was also hit by injury after he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the home opener against the Packers. On September 22, Peterson underwent successful surgery to repair the meniscus. It was also revealed that the knee had a mild LCL sprain, but it did not need surgery. He was placed on injured reserve on September 23, 2016, and reactivated on December 17, but only made six rushing attempts before leaving the game, ending his season. Peterson left the team at the end of the season, ending his 10-year tenure with the Vikings.

Offseason

Draft

Draft trades

Roster changes

DatePlayer namePositionContract terms
March 7, 2016Andrew SendejoS4 years / $16 million
March 7, 2016Adam ThielenWR1 year / $600,000
March 8, 2016Audie ColeLB1 year / $760,000
March 9, 2016Mike HarrisG1 year / $1.9 million
March 15, 2016Rhett EllisonTE1 year / $2.25 million
March 15, 2016Marcus SherelsCB2 years / $4 million
March 16, 2016Matt AsiataRB1 year / $840,000
March 18, 2016Terence NewmanCB1 year / $3 million
March 18, 2016Justin TrattouDE1 year / $810,000
April 11, 2016Chad GreenwayLB1 year / $2.75 million
April 18, 2016Zach LineFB1 year / $1.671 million
September 9, 2016Joe BergerC1-year extension

DatePlayer namePositionNoteNew team
March 8, 2016Mike WallaceWRReleasedBaltimore Ravens
March 8, 2016Austin WentworthOTWaivedRetired
March 9, 2016Casey MatthewsILBUFA
March 9, 2016Jason TrusnikILBUFA
March 14, 2016Josh RobinsonCBUFATampa Bay Buccaneers
March 18, 2016Robert BlantonSUFABuffalo Bills
April 13, 2016Alex SingletonLBWaivedCalgary Stampeders
May 10, 2016Johnny LowdermilkSWaivedTampa Bay Buccaneers
July 25, 2016Phil LoadholtOTWaivedRetired
August 25, 2016Melvin WhiteCBWaived
August 30, 2016Brad SorensenQBWaived
August 30, 2016Terrell SinkfieldWRWaived
August 30, 2016Austin ShepherdOTWaived
August 30, 2016John SullivanCWaived
August 30, 2016Scott CrichtonDLWaived
August 30, 2016Antone ExumSWaived
August 30, 2016Zach MooreDEWaived
September 3, 2016C. J. HamHBWaived
September 3, 2016Blake RenaudFBWaived
September 3, 2016Isaac FruechteWRWaived
September 3, 2016Moritz BöhringerWRWaived
September 3, 2016Willie BeaversOLWaived
September 3, 2016Isame FacianeOGWaived
September 3, 2016Stephen WeatherlyDEWaived
September 3, 2016Toby JohnsonDTWaived
September 3, 2016Brandon WattsOLBWaived

DatePlayer namePositionPrevious teamContract terms
March 10, 2016Alex BooneGSan Francisco 49ers4 years / $26.8 million
March 10, 2016Emmanuel LamurLBCincinnati Bengals2 years / $6 million
March 18, 2016Andre SmithOTCincinnati Bengals1 year / $4.5 million
May 10, 2016C. J. HamHBAugustana
August 1, 2016Terrance PlummerLBMinnesota Vikings
September 3, 2016Sam BradfordQBPhiladelphia EaglesTrade
September 4, 2016Joel StaveQBWisconsin Practice squad
September 4, 2016C. J. HamHBAugustana Practice squad
September 4, 2016Moritz BöhringerWRSchwäbisch Hall Practice squad
September 4, 2016Kyle CarterTEPenn State Practice squad
September 4, 2016Willie BeaversOLWestern Michigan Practice squad
September 4, 2016Isame FacianeOGMinnesota VikingsPractice squad
September 4, 2016Stephen WeatherlyDEVanderbilt Practice squad
September 4, 2016Toby JohnsonDTMinnesota VikingsPractice squad
September 4, 2016Tre RobersonCBIllinois State Practice squad
September 4, 2016Shamiel GarySMiami DolphinsPractice squad
September 13, 2016Tre RobersonCBIllinois State Practice squad
September 13, 2016Julian WilsonCBPhiladelphia EaglesPractice squad
September 23, 2016Ronnie HillmanHBDenver Broncos
October 11, 2016Jake LongOTAtlanta Falcons1 year

Date signedPlayer namePositionPrevious teamContract termsDate released
March 7, 2016Carter BykowskiOTMinnesota Vikings1 year / $600,000August 30, 2016
March 9, 2016Kenrick EllisDTMinnesota Vikings1 year / $810,000September 3, 2016
March 11, 2016Travis LewisLBDetroit Lions1 year / $810,000June 16, 2016
March 14, 2016Michael GriffinSTennessee Titans1 year / $3 millionSeptember 3, 2016
March 21, 2016Brian LeonhardtTESan Francisco 49ers1 year / $600,000August 30, 2016
May 1, 2016Keith BaxterCBMarshall Undrafted FAJuly 31, 2016
May 1, 2016Kyle CarterTEPenn State Undrafted FASeptember 3, 2016
May 1, 2016Joel StaveQBWisconsin Undrafted FASeptember 3, 2016
May 1, 2016Theiren CockranDEMinnesota Undrafted FAAugust 30, 2016
May 1, 2016Jake GanusILBGeorgia Undrafted FASeptember 3, 2016
May 1, 2016Marken MichelWRUMass Undrafted FAAugust 30, 2016
May 1, 2016Denzell PerineOLBFlorida Atlantic Undrafted FASeptember 2, 2016
May 1, 2016Jhurell PressleyRBNew Mexico Undrafted FASeptember 3, 2016
May 1, 2016Brandon RossRBMaryland Undrafted FAMay 23, 2016
May 9, 2016Tre RobersonCBIllinois State Undrafted FASeptember 13, 2016
May 9, 2016Troy StoudermireWRWinnipeg Blue Bombers August 30, 2016
May 23, 2016Travis RacitiDTPhiladelphia EaglesSeptember 2, 2016
May 31, 2016Bruce GastonDTChicago BearsJune 16, 2016
July 27, 2016Sean HickeyOTNew York JetsAugust 30, 2016
July 27, 2016Jason WhittinghamLBUtah July 31, 2016
July 30, 2016Claudell LouisDTBuffalo BillsAugust 30, 2016
April 13, 2016Terrance PlummerLBMinnesota VikingsAugust 31, 2016
August 20, 2016Kevin MonangaiRBPhiladelphia EaglesWaivedAugust 4, 2016
August 20, 2016Brad SorensenQBSan Diego ChargersAugust 30, 2016
August 31, 2016Brad SorensenQBMinnesota VikingsSeptember 2, 2016
September 6, 2016Carter BykowskiOTMinnesota VikingsPractice squadSeptember 13, 2016

Preseason

Schedule

The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule were announced April 7.
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceNFL.com
recap
at Cincinnati BengalsW 17–161–0Paul Brown Stadium50,737
at Seattle SeahawksW 18–112–0CenturyLink Field68,469
August 28San Diego ChargersW 23–103–0U.S. Bank Stadium66,143
Los Angeles RamsW 27–254–0U.S. Bank Stadium66,262

Game summaries

Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Regular season

Schedule

Week 1: at Tennessee Titans

started at quarterback in the team's first game, as Sam Bradford was rested until the second game.

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers

Sam Bradford made his first start for the Vikings in week 2 against the Packers just 15 days after being traded. Despite not having much time to learn the offense, Bradford outplayed Aaron Rodgers but ended up hurting his left hand in the first half due to a hit by Clay Matthews. Bradford finished the game completing 22-of-31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Vikings to their first win in their new stadium.

Week 3: at Carolina Panthers

Week 4: vs. New York Giants

Week 5: vs. Houston Texans

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

Sam Bradford faces his former team for the first time after he was traded from the Eagles prior to the start of the season. The Vikings streak came to a halt as they lost the game 21-10.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

Although it was Stefon Diggs' big day, having caught 13 passes for 80 yards, it wasn't enough as the Vikings dropped 5-3.

Week 10: at Washington Redskins

This was the last game for Blair Walsh in a Vikings uniform as he was waived days after this game.

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 12: at Detroit Lions

;NFL on Thanksgiving Day

Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Head coach Mike Zimmer missed this game after undergoing emergency eye surgery the night before. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer served as interim coach for the game.

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

returned to action and had six carries for 22 yards against the Colts. This was the last game he'd ever play for the Vikings.

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers

With the loss, the Vikings dropped to 7–8 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. The loss also made the Vikings the first team to twice start 5–0 or better, and on both occasions miss the playoffs.

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Standings

Division

Conference

Staff

Pro Bowl

Five Vikings were selected for the 2017 Pro Bowl: defensive end Everson Griffen, defensive tackle Linval Joseph, return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and free safety Harrison Smith. Rhodes played in his first Pro Bowl, while Griffen, Patterson and Smith participated in their second; Patterson was the first return specialist in Vikings history to go to two Pro Bowls.
Linval Joseph replaced Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Roster

Statistics

Team leaders

Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website

League rankings

Source: NFL.com.