Vikings' team plane forced to turn back en route to Giants game due to mechanical issue
Minnesota planned to board a second plane and push ahead to Newark after an in-flight mechanical issue; the team had just defeated the Cowboys but is out of playoff contention.
The Minnesota Vikings’ team plane was forced to turn back shortly after departing Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport on the way to Newark Liberty International Airport for Sunday's game against the New York Giants, a team spokesperson said. The mechanical issue prompted an immediate return to Minneapolis, with a second aircraft scheduled to board and carry the team to New Jersey later Saturday.
Team officials said shortly after takeoff the plane experienced mechanical issues requiring a return to MSP. The Vikings planned to board a second plane and were expected to arrive at Newark later Saturday night. The move comes as Minnesota looks to rebound from a signature win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, a victory that helped keep the club competitive in a season that has stubbornly defied easy conclusions. Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in that game, underscoring Minnesota’s potential as it heads toward a late-season stretch.
The Vikings are eliminated from playoff contention but had just claimed a notable win over a Cowboys squad that entered the game with postseason expectations. McCarthy’s performance in that contest highlighted the team’s offensive upside as Minnesota prepared to face a Giants club mired in a rough season. New York entered Sunday with a 2-12 record, the worst in the NFL, tied with the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, and looking to salvage pride in a season that has featured inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.
Isaiah Rodgers, Minnesota's cornerback, weighed in briefly on social media after the travel news, commenting on an Instagram post about the incident with a simple, concise message: "We're ok." The remark offered a human touch to a day that featured the usual logistical turbulence that large NFL teams sometimes encounter on the road.
The postponement and the second-flight plan add a layer of disruption to a week already defined by travel and preparation realities for a Vikings club that is trying to finish strong. The team’s return to MSP and the subsequent departure on a second aircraft were not described as caused by any safety issue beyond the mechanical problem cited by the team. Officials said the Vikings would adjust their schedule accordingly and arrive in Newark later Saturday night, aligning with the league’s typical game-day attitudes toward late-night arrivals and on-site preparation.
From a broader perspective, the trip to take on a Giants squad near the season’s end is a reminder of the NFL’s expansive travel demands and the constant need for contingency plans. The Associated Press contributed to this report, which reflects how teams navigate unexpected obstacles while balancing competitive goals and the logistics of multi-city schedules.
As Minnesota pursues a late-season finish that could still influence next year’s planning, all eyes remained on the players and coaching staff as they reassembled in preparation for Sunday’s game. The Vikings’ ability to regroup after the mechanical issue and economic disruption will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike, particularly given the recent momentum generated by their win over a previously high-profile opponent.