Andrew Van Ginkel, Aaron Jones, Sr. and Jonathan Greenard lined up on Pro Football Hall of Famer John Randle's right. Sam Darnold and Blake Cashman took the left side.

The five newcomers and the Vikings Legend posed in front of the Gatorade Splash Wall at the Minnesota Vikings Museum the day the free agents were introduced to media members.

They walked through displays of Vikings history months before adding to it as integral forces in a 14-win season, the second-highest total in a regular season by Minnesota.

Now that group is trying to write another chapter, beginning when the Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) in the Wild Card Round of the NFC Playoffs on Monday Night Football.

Each of those players in front of the Gatorade Splash Wall knows what it's like for someone to doubt them. Each has an opportunity to help the team press forward after a disappointing night in Detroit during which the Lions claimed the NFC North with a 31-9 win. Doing so will require defeating one of two teams that topped Minnesota all season, a year of success built significantly on the contributions of what might be the best free agency class in team history and among some of the tops leaguewide.

Beyond those five players setting multiple personal career highs, the next few waves of free agents also made significant contributions on offense, defense and/or special teams.

Game balls galore

Riding high after completing a season sweep of Chicago and leading the Vikings to the team's sixth time of going 12-2 or better in the first 14 games of a season, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell was back at it in U.S. Bank Stadium's home locker room.

The former NFL QB had space in the huddle and shouted out five players to present with game balls.

O'Connell's victory speeches radiate authenticity, and the videos of the moments often go viral on social media.

The speech that night provided a summary of this season's success, another wave of high-level contributions from newcomers to the team. Their consistent deployment and impact stemmed from plans unfurled in mid-March.

Each game ball recipient is in his first season as a Viking, and four signed with Minnesota in a two-day span (March 14-15).

"Defense, I thought you guys played fantastically tonight, made this game feel different with how you played," O'Connell said to launch into the sequence, "but one guy on offense I want to highlight, and I love the fact he's on our team, and I love the fact as we go down the stretch, we've got this guy on our football team. A hundred-and-six all-purpose yards, 50^th career rushing touchdown, Mr. Aaron Jones.

"Two-of-15 on third and fourth down, that's what you held them to," the coach shifted gears. "This guy continues to show up, six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble — his 11^th sack of the season, Mr. Jonathan Greenard.

"Another guy that came over from the same team, came over from Houston, all this guy did was come back home, and I feel like I could give him a game ball every week," O'Connell said, tipping his hand that the next recipient hails from Minnesota. "Great communicator, flies around the field. Had eight tackles and a very important fumble recovery. Here's to Blake Cashman.

"Felt like this guy, on some of those weighty downs, he was just blowing straight through the line of scrimmage," O'Connell continued. "Two huge blow-ups on fourth down, had a tackle, also drew a holding call, another newcomer this year joining the party, Jerry Tillery, where you at?"

O'Connell then presented the fifth ball to rookie kicker Will "the Thrill" Reichard. He announced the following day that a sixth was awarded to versatile veteran Joshua Metellus for his presence everywhere the night before.

Quick to connect

The Vikings reached a deal with Jones before free agency opened with the New League Year on March 13. His signing, which became official on March 14, generated quite a buzz because of his familiarity with the Border Battle as a member of the Packers from 2017-23.

It overlapped with the signings of Greenard, Cashman and Van Ginkel, as well as Darnold, who delivered his finest NFL season. The five bonded at an introductory dinner, linking personalities with team-first football philosophies.

The next day, Greenard, Cashman and Van Ginkel sat together at a table for their introductory press conference. Photos from that day have become popular memes on social media because of how well they have embodied Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' scheme.

"You identify the things that you really feel are going to be important if we're going to add pieces to our team," O'Connell said at the intro presser. "Jonathan, Andrew and Blake all do that. It's one thing to say you've checked boxes, but then, when I shut my eyes and think about possible additions we could have made to our defense, especially right out of the gate in free agency, [we're] being very competitive with some top-tier players that a lot of the league wanted to add to their team."

Greenard and Cashman had been central to Houston's success in 2023 when the Texans won the AFC South and advanced to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs.

"It was more so a new beginning, a fresh start," Greenard said, thinking back to March. "We (he and Cashman) had that mindset of we've got to get back [to the playoffs]. We understand what we can add to a team that's already at the brink of success. When I signed and he signed, I was like, 'They're building something great here, something special.'

"We kept on getting more guys," he added. "When I saw the acquisitions, this was not just a rebuild or see how it goes."

The coaching staff made the list and worked with the personnel department to identify where to best invest resources limited by constraints of the NFL's salary cap. The organization respectfully bid farewell to Pro Bowlers Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter as General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah activated the plan to offset those departures.

O'Connell said the dinner for Minnesota's first wave of free agents and their family members facilitated quick connections.

"They're walking out of that dinner, truly with a bond already, and they all talk about how excited they are to join what's been built here and the locker room."

Multistep plans

Pro Bowl long snapper Andrew DePaola, who turned 37 in July, said he appreciated the open communication from Vikings leadership that plans were prepared for multiple scenarios. He also heard info through the grapevine as the Vikings kept adding to the mix.

"Around free agency time, if you're a [returning player] on the team, what will happen is if a guy in your unit or a guy you are close with leaves for another team, usually I'll get a call or text from a guy I know on that team, 'Hey, we just picked up this guy, so tell me about him,' " he explained. "And we do the same thing, too, 'We just signed so-and-so from you guys. Who is he? How is he? What kind of guy is he? You reach out to guys you know and trust and get their opinion."

DePaola credited Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell, saying the type of people who signed is on point with the on-field talent that was added.

"I think it's a testament to Kwesi and K.O. going out and not just getting great football players but getting great people, and the culture we have in this building, in this locker room, I don't want to say it's delicate, but cultures mean a lot," DePaola said. "I think bringing in guys who can jell quickly with that culture and integrate into it, when you get those close, tight-knit teams, you can have some success."

The additions continued and have contributed to the success of the team at multiple points this season. Trent Sherfield, Sr., (signed March 18) has been an ace on special teams and contributed to the receivers group. He led fan voting among NFC special teamers for the Pro Bowl. Cornerback Shaq Griffin (March 20) walked off the Cardinals with an interception. Jihad Ward (March 20) has a distinguishable play style that's left a mark on opponents and created opportunities for others. Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (March 20) recorded picks in his first two Vikings games.

Sherfield, an undrafted free agent with Arizona in 2018, has totaled 112 games with the Cardinals (2018-20), 49ers (2021), Dolphins (2022), Bills (2023) and Vikings. He said once his agent explained Minnesota's interest in signing him, the choice was easy, despite offers from other teams.

"It's been nothing but a blessing," Sherfield said. "The team, the guys, the coaching staff, everything has jelled perfectly, and I feel like I'm right in the spot, exactly where I need to be."

Flores, who built his NFL foundation in the Patriots personnel department before shifting to the sidelines, said the acquisitions followed a yearly discussion between he and the Vikings defensive coaches during which they ask, "What's our vision for how we want to play in the next season? What do we have on our roster right now that we just played with, what can we add to that group to kind of execute that vision?"

The personnel department and coaches dived into film studies to find the right fits.

"The collaboration was, 'Hey, our vision is to play this style — probably gonna need these types of guys. And thankfully, we're able to get Blake Cashman and Greenard and Van Ginkel, but there's also Jerry Tillery and Haddy Ward and Shaq Griffin," Flores said. "Those guys have definitely added a lot to our team also, and a lot of it is, I think we've been lucky [because] that group has really jelled in a way that has allowed them to really come together and play well, trust one another. And in a team sport like this, that's what you need more than anything."

Flores credited Cashman, Minnesota's "Green Dot" linebacker who relays calls from the sideline, with having "natural leadership — a way of bringing people together."

"He's very smart and knows how to communicate with the various people that it's part of his job description to talk to, whether it's a defensive lineman, an edge guy, a safety, a corner," Flores added. "His position is one that he's involved with coverage, in the run game, in a lot of the pass rush, so he's got to have a general knowledge of pretty much all of it."

The Vikings front office also needed to respond to the tragedy of losing rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson in a July auto accident, as well as injuries.

Cornerbacks Fabian Moreau (July 31) and Stephon Gilmore (Aug. 19) brought immense experience to the defensive backfield. Gilmore nabbed Aaron Rodgers' pass to seal a 23-17 win at London, and Moreau filled in for him later in the season.

Adofo-Mensah helped bolster the backfield by trading for running back Cam Akers (Oct. 15), who has scored rushing and receiving touchdowns, and he and the pro scouting department responded quickly and effectively in trying to replace Christian Darrisaw by trading for left tackle Cam Robinson (Oct. 30).

The Darrisaw injury cast an extra shadow on the Vikings outlook. It occurred just before halftime, and Minnesota went on to fall 30-20 at L.A., dropping its second contest in a five-day span after opening 5-0.

The timing of the injury, however, occurred just before the NFL's trade deadline. Robinson got to Minnesota a few days later and started in Week 9, the launch point of a nine-game winning streak.

"My teammates and my coaches poured so much into me from the moment I walked in," Robinson said. "It's been amazing. I haven't experienced anything like this since I've been in the NFL, and this is Year 8 for me, so it's been a fun ride."

Robinson was a rookie in 2017 when the Jaguars advanced to the AFC Championship Game, but this will be his first postseason contest since then.

"I think it's built the right way — a very good offense, a very good defense, and special teams, as well," Robinson said, reflecting on his current squad. "I think we feed off each other and do a good job."

Greenard, who had faced Robinson in their time together with AFC South teams, said he hasn't "seen many tackles pop back over like that" with a new squad.

"Obviously it's unfortunate we had our situation, but for him to come in and ball out, pick up stuff on the fly and show the things he wasn't able to show in Jacksonville, I'm glad he got a fresh start here, and I know he's loving it," Greenard said. "We love Cam. He's been a great addition for us."

Everyone has a role

Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell said the level of play jumped off the tape.

Players' individual talents were hard to ignore, but it takes a vision to see how pieces can be assembled into a collective unit.

Teams must have plans for how to help each player reach his personal optimization and work together to make the team better. It only truly works, however, when players readily accept the role and maximize opportunities, even when it's not the flashiest assignment.

"Everybody has a role on this team, and K.O. has said that from the jump," Sherfield said. "I've been on other teams and they say that, right? And they don't really match that, but here, everybody has a role, and you're either going to own it or you're not. I think all the guys that have come in have owned our role and we've excelled at it. I think that's why we've had a lot of success."

Sherfield's duties have included some great work as a gunner on special teams coverage, executing blocks in the run game and on screens and catching a few passes — eight of the nine thrown his direction, including a touchdown in Week 8 at Los Angeles.

It's not a stretch to see him finish practice and follow with ball-tracking drills for his role as a receiver before adding another 20 or so minutes of on-field work that includes working on his blocking with a stationary sled and refining his angles and tackling mechanics.

"I've always had aspirations of being the top receiver in this league, but I think this year I had an epiphany almost," Sherfield said. "I went back and watched some of my gunner tape when I was in Arizona. I had a real hard look at myself in the mirror, and I kind of felt like my career was going in circles a little bit. 'Why is this happening?' The answer to that was I wasn't owning what was in front of me.

"When I was in Arizona, I was playing special teams and wanted to play receiver. I was so worried about, 'I want to play receiver. I don't want to play special teams,' " he added thoughtfully. "I think having that sit-down with myself and God really speaking to me, 'This is what I want you to do. I'm not saying you can't be a receiver, but I want you do both. Be a football player.' "

When Adofo-Mensah joined "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen for the Xs & Os episode the day after the win over the Bears on Monday Night Football, newcomers were the "A topic."

"[Greenard] plays hard [in the run game], and you can't always say that for the premier [edge] guys," Adofo-Mensah said. "We saw a lot of that, his traits that translate, his instincts, his length, his ability to create knock-back and intelligence where you see how he plays some of the run schemes that people have attacked us with."

Jones and Darnold credited O'Connell's ability to bring newcomers and blend them with returnees, forming bonds throughout the roster. He had position groups compete independently in a barbecue cookout "cook-off" where players voted for the best executions. Darnold said the ribeye steak by Johnny Mundt won his vote, but he also gave props to the chicken wings overseen by Nick Mullens.

It's one thing to add talented individuals during free agency. It's another to integrate the newcomers smoothly within a team's culture. That's true during the peak of free agency activity, as well as later in the season if a team suffers injuries.

"He just brings us together as a family," said Jones of O'Connell before adding, "This is probably the closest team I've ever been a part of, and this is my first year here. We just came together, bonded, and K.O. really challenges us, but he knows how to bring us together. He knows how to get us in the best looks possible and knows how to motivate us, as well."

Another signing that generated less buzz but helped Minnesota's defense finish second in rushing yards allowed per game (93.4) and per play (4.05) was Tillery. He's a unique persona, a global traveler who learned to speak Japanese with proficiency, and a former Chargers first-round pick who later became a Raider before becoming a solid contributor here.

"You talk about a position inside, the growth isn't linear. That takes time," Adofo-Mensah told Allen. "That's grown-man business inside the trenches, and not every 22-year-old can come out and set edges, handle double teams. Sometimes it takes time to learn the dark arts of block recognition and how you position yourself and work that technique. It's probably taken time to do that, and then we've got great coaches on that side of the ball. Marcus Dixon and Pat Hill really work the technique with guys. I've seen that whole room grow."

Cashman was surprised at how quickly he hit it off with new teammates and coaches, who were sincerely interested in building relationships with players beyond Xs and Os. He and Greenard have enjoyed "some of the best days of our lives" this season," he noted.

"I've really enjoyed working with J.G. again, and Van Ginkel and I had a familiar relationship from the college days and going to the combine together. It's been great to share this journey with him and be part of the same team," Cashman said. "All our growth through the season, not only with our relationship outside of the building but just with how we've been improving and staying productive on the field, and I think for a new player, it's really important to every player to make an immediate impact, and I think we've accomplished that, but we still have bigger goals in mind."