The Fan Club Honours – Your Winners Announced!

You voted in your masses and in a recent podcast episode the Skol Sisters announced the winners and one “shocking” omission from our annual UK & Ireland Minnesota Vikings Fan Club Honours.

You can listen to the episode here and also see how your fellow club members voted below.

Listen on Spotify, Amazon and more ????: https://beacons.ai/ukvikingsfans

Offensive Player of the Year

It was the tightest vote of the lot, but it was superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson who you picked as your offensive player of the year. On the back of signing a four-year, $140 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, Jefferson recorded 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns over 17 games in the regular season, averaging 14.9 yards per catch. Notably, Jefferson matched Lance Alworth’s record by reaching 6,000 career receiving yards in just 62 games. He also set the record for the most 100-yard receiving games in a player’s first five seasons. His performance this season rightfully earned him first-team All-Pro honours.

How you voted:

  • Justin Jefferson 44.1%
  • Sam Darnold 42.9%
  • Jordan Addison 9.2%
  • Aaron Jones 3.8%

Defensive Player of the Year

In 2024, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He started all 17 games, achieving career-highs with 79 total tackles (50 solo) and 11.5 sacks, ranking tied for 8th in the NFL. Van Ginkel also recorded six pass breakups, two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and one forced fumble. His standout performances earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award in Week 16, a Pro Bowl selection, and a second-team All-Pro spot. His contributions were pivotal in the Vikings’ defensive success during the season and he is your defensive player of the year.

How you voted:

  • Andrew Van Ginkel 70.9%
  • Blake Cashman 12.6%
  • Jonathan Greenard 11.2%
  • Byron Murphy 5.3%

Most Improved Player

Initially slated as a bridge/backup, Sam Darnold became the starter for the whole season after rookie J.J. McCarthy’s preseason injury. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14–3 record, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the way to a first career Pro Bowl selection. Although his performance declined in the final regular-season game against the Lions and the subsequent playoff loss to the Rams, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month in September and was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 14. While he may not return to play in purple and gold again, his season should be fondly remembered by fans and he is your most improved player.

How you voted:

  • Sam Darnold 69.0%
  • Jalen Nailor 25.7%
  • Pat Jones II 2.9%
  • Jalen Redmond 2.3%

Rookie of the Year

Kicker Will Reichard played 13 games for the Minnesota Vikings last season. He made 24 of 30 field goal attempts (80% accuracy) and was perfect on all 38 extra-point tries, totalling 110 points. His longest successful field goal was 58 yards. Reichard began the season by converting his first 14 field goal attempts but suffered an oblique injury in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts, leading to a stint on injured reserve. He returned in Week 15, making all three field goals and extra points in a 30–12 win over the Chicago Bears and his performances across the season earned him your votes as rookie of the year.

How you voted:

  • Will Reichard 72.8%
  • Dallas Turner 24.7%
  • Levi Drake Rodriguez 2.5%

Off-Field Personality of the Year

In 2024, Josh Metellus launched the “Tell Us with Metellus” series, engaging teammates with lighthearted questions, fostering camaraderie and offering fans a glimpse into players’ personalities. His leadership qualities were recognised when he received the Korey Stringer Media Good Guy Award, reflecting his positive rapport with the media. Additionally, Metellus’s journey from a 2020 sixth-round pick to a defensive captain in 2024 exemplifies his dedication and resilience, inspiring both teammates and fans, and that has been acknowledged here as you voted him the off-field personality of the year for 2024.

How you voted:

  • Josh Metellus 52.8%
  • CJ Ham 19.3%
  • Harrison Phillips 16.5%
  • Aaron Jones 11.4%

Celebration of the Year

Vikings safety Camryn Bynum has become a mastermind of creative post-turnover celebrations. After big defensive plays, he led his teammates in executing the routines, with players mimicking iconic pop-culture moments including the handshake from The Parent Trap and the dance from Camp Rock, which amusingly resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Bynum shared rehearsal footage showing how the team prepared for these high-energy celebrations. His choreography not only energised the squad but also became a fan favourite. There was a clear winner though as you voted the “White Chicks” celebration as the best of the season, as Bynum and Metellus re-enacted the iconic dance from the comedy film.

How you voted:

  • White Chicks 42.2%
  • Parent Trap 23.3%
  • Camp Rock 18.5%
  • Raygun 16.0%

Do you agree with this year’s winners? What glaring errors did we make? Let us know via email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or on any of our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Discord)