Ask any NFL player what his goal is for the upcoming season, and the top answer is always to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Simply put, it's the mentality necessary to approach a job that exacts a mental and physical toll.
Coming off a 2023 campaign where they faltered down the stretch and underwent a massive quarterback overhaul, many aren't considering the Minnesota Vikings contenders, particularly in a tough NFC North. But safety Camryn Bynum was asked Thursday on NFL Network's The Insiders what he sees as the Vikes' ceiling in 2024.
"I expect a Super Bowl. Everybody says that, and everybody should say that," he said. "But you look at the guys on the team, you look at the locker room, all the experience we have. Look how much depth we have, especially on the defense. So many guys. It's almost weird looking around, you're like, OK how are we all going to get on the field? There's just so many ballers.
"You look at the offense. There's a baller at every position when you look across the whole board. That's why I'm confident when I say I expect us to be a Super Bowl team. But really, our preparation has to tell it all. You say that every year. Every team says that every year, but we have to put all these names and everything. We have to make it real."
Bynum joined The Insiders live from the Philippines ahead of his football camp as part of his goal to help grow the game in Asia.
It's easy to look at most teams on paper in June and argue why they could have a shot at playing on that final football Sunday in February. The Vikings certainly have pieces. Even after struggling down the stretch, Brian Flores' defenses are tough to handle, and the overhaul up front with the additions of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and first-rounder Dallas Turner should be a fun trio. On offense, any unit with Justin Jefferson has a chance to shine, and the signing of Aaron Jones brings oomph to the backfield.
The most significant question mark is under center, where Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy are set to compete for the starting gig. Darnold enters camp with a leg up to open the season under center.
Bynum was asked what he saw from the QBs during spring workouts.
"Having the two new quarterbacks, it's fun being able to play against them and see what they bring to the table," he said. "They're both looking really good. It's exciting to see them compete. They're both looking good, so I can't put one over the other. I just say they both look ready. Whatever coaches decide, I trust them and their decision."
The truth of the matter is that any Super Bowl aspirations the Vikings have for 2024 will come down to how well the quarterbacks perform in the crucible of the big moments.
