Yogi Berra supposedly said: “It’s difficult to make predictions—especially about the future.”
I agree with the Yankee Hall of Famer and sage for the ages. But after several days at a darkness retreat, I somewhat cautiously offer the following prognostications for 2025:
Let’s get it over with at the start, Purple Crazies. The Vikings will play in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1977.
Let’s also get greedy and predict the result—although the Crazies won’t like it. The 0-4 in Super Bowls Vikings will lose to the 0-4 Bills. Or my admittedly cloudy crystal ball says Minnesota will lose to the Chiefs, the franchise that defeated Minnesota 23-7 in the Vikings’ first Super Bowl in 1970.
And did you know the 1970 game was in New Orleans? Yup, and the same city hosts the 2025 Super Bowl.
“It’s like déjà vu all over again,” Yogi might quip.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will be rewarded in 2025 with a new contract paying him in the range of $12 million to $15 million annually.
Rest easy about Sam Darnold as he nears free agency. The Vikings will franchise tag him in 2025 and pay their quarterback something like $40 million for one season.
The Vikings will also retain free agent running back back Aaron Jones with another one-year deal.
The Hitman may bow out. After 13 seasons in purple, I am forecasting 35-year-old Vikings safety Harrison Smith will retire.
I predict Taylor Swift—oops, I mean Travis Kelce—will top the NFL Pro Games fan balloting. Can’t wait for Thursday’s announcement about voting for players on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.
Retirement could be next, too, for 37-year-old Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley who will be 38 by the time next season is about to tip.
Leaving the Wolves could be power forward Julius Randle who might be moved prior to the NBA trade deadline February 6.
With revenue sharing starting in big time college sports, there will be scores of Golden Gophers athletes who earn five, 10 times or more than a first-year graduate from the University of Minnesota. With NIL earnings and revenue share money, the millionaire athlete arrives in Dinkytown.
Don’t be surprised if a state of Minnesota high school athlete will approach $500,000 in NIL earnings this year.
The Gophers may have a new head men’s basketball coach in 2025. A qualified but long-shot candidate to get the job would be Badgers assistant Joe Krabbenhoft who considered playing for Minnesota coming out of high school in South Dakota but went to Madison.
U basketball forward Parker Fox will not be eligible for a ninth season of college basketball.
John Tauer’s St. Thomas men’s basketball team will win the Summit League title in a year or two.
Former Lynx superstar Maya Moore, a first-year nominee, will be enshrined in 2025 in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
I am establishing the over-under on a Twins starting pitcher being allowed to go nine innings in a game next season at two. Offseason optimism!
The state will approve legalized sports wagering in 2025. This means betting on your local favorites will now hurt not only emotionally but also gash your wallet.
“Kirill the Thrill” Kaprizov maintains his status of best nickname among Minnesota sports elites.
It will be one of the feel-good stories of the year when popular men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko wins his first NCAA championship and the Gophers’ first since 2003.
Drake Lindsey, a freshman last fall, will win the starting Gopher quarterback competition against Zach Pyron, the transfer from Georgia Tech.
As he nears his 50th birthday late next year, Tiger Woods, paired with 16-year-old son Charlie, will win the 2025 PNC Championship for the first time.
Nobody asked about my golf game, but I am anticipating a hole-in-one on a local par 3.
Celebrity local athletes will have armed security at their homes to combat the national trend of burglaries of the rich and famous. At our home, we’ll install a light timer.
It will be another year of restaurant closings and even bankruptcies. Things aren’t so hot at the grocery store either where I recently paid $4.99 for a can of soup.
Someone, not me, will become famous for writing a dating app instructional manual.
Most of you, sorry to type this, won’t keep your New Year’s fitness resolutions. BTW: Word is Gen Z is opting for weight loss drugs and skipping the gym.
And, no, I am not prognosticating anyone will patent an anti-hangover drink in 2025!
Finally, I predict another year for the Sports Headliners Ducky Awards introduced last fall in this space. The honor is bestowed on a Minnesota sports figure who is doing “just ducky.” To be considered by the Ducky committee a person has to be going through a delightful period in his or her career. The highest criteria will be someone we can look at and declare that life is “pretty peachy keen.”
Early favorite: Sam Darnold. Dark horse: Royce Lewis.
Thanks for the prognostications.
Re: a possible next Gopher men’s basketball coach, before talking to anyone else, (AD) Mark Coyle should make a call to Thad Matta, formerly all-time winning coach at Ohio State, now coaching at his alma mater, Butler. He’s young –still only in his 50s. Health issues prompted his departure from OSU, but if he’s now healthy could be interested in coaching at a place that’s higher than mid-major.
I’d like to see the Gophers find a way to hire Ryan Saunders as their head coach.
On the Vikings losing to KC in 1970 in Superbowl IV, I’ll always have a shockingly vivid image of Earsell Mackbee and Karl Kassulke missing tackles on Otis Taylor as he scored on a long touchdown pass play down the sideline.
Well, Dave, I predict that you are right on ONE of your predictions. That there will be a new BB coach at Minnesota. Ben is a very nice person but not up to the job. I only look at Illinois, they used to be horrible but two years after (Brad) Underwood was hired they were competing for the title. And that’s just one example. This year we have one of the best players in the nation and we’ll be lucky to win two (conference) games.
Hope I’m wrong, but…