2016 Minnesota Vikings season
| 2016 Minnesota Vikings season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach |
Mike Zimmer (games 1–12, 14–16) Mike Priefer (interim, game 13) |
| General manager | Rick Spielman |
| Owner | Zygi Wilf |
| Home field | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC North |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
6
|
| AP All-Pros | KR Cordarrelle Patterson (1st team) |
| Uniform | |
 |
|
The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and the third under head coach Mike Zimmer.
The Vikings' new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis opened this year, 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.
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 1993 Saints, 2003 Vikings, 2009 Broncos, 2009 Giants and the 2015 Falcons to miss the playoffs after starting 5–0. The Vikings are the only team in NFL history to start 5–0 or better twice, and on both occasions miss the playoffs.
On September 3, quarterback Sam Bradford was traded to the Vikings for a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 Draft. The trade was made after starter Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending ACL tear and dislocated knee during team practice on August 30, 2016. 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.Adrian Peterson left the second game with a torn meniscus. 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 in the Vikings' before leaving the game, ending his season.
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