Entering the 1996 NFL season, head coach Dennis Green led the Minnesota Vikings into a year defined by quarterback transitions and gritty division play. Coming off a middle-of-the-pack campaign, the Vikings fortified their roster by drafting pass rusher Duane Clemons and running back Moe Williams, while signing former Cowboys linebacker Dixon Edwards in free agency. Competing in a hyper-competitive NFC Central, Minnesota posted a 9-7 record to claim second place in the division. Despite experiencing volatile stretches during the autumn months, Green managed to keep the group focused enough to earn a Wild Card berth, marking the franchise's fourth postseason appearance in his five-year tenure.

The Vikings offense finished 12th in overall yards with 5,204 and 23rd in scoring putting up 298 points (18.6 ppg), driven by a passing attack that ranked 8th in the league with 3,658 yards. Aging veteran Warren Moon started eight games, throwing for 1,610 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions before giving way to 28-year-old Brad Johnson. Johnson injected stability into the passing scheme, starting eight games and throwing for 2,258 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 62.7% completion rate. The primary target was Pro Bowl wideout Cris Carter, who hauled in 96 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns, complemented by Jake Reed's explosive 1,320 receiving yards on 72 catches. Running back Robert Smith led a ground game that ranked 24th in yards with 1,546 team rushing yards, gaining 692 yards in just eight appearances before injuries hindered his workload.

Defensively, Minnesota allowed 315 points (19.7 ppg) and 5,087 yards, anchored by an aggressive front that racked up 43.0 sacks and generated 35 takeaways. Interior force John Randle spearheaded the pass rush from his defensive tackle spot, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while recording 11.5 sacks and forcing 5 fumbles. Edge defender Fernando Smith provided strong support with 9.5 sacks, while linebacker Jeff Brady recorded a team-high 101 combined tackles. In the secondary, free safety Orlando Thomas paced the unit with 5 interceptions, supported by strong safety Robert Griffith and cornerbacks Dewayne Washington and Corey Fuller, who collectively forced 14 interceptions to keep opposing quarterbacks off balance.

The trajectory of the 1996 campaign hinged on several pivotal swings. Minnesota exploded out of the gate with a 4-0 start, highlighted by a thrilling 30-21 victory over the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 4. However, the momentum vanished during a brutal midseason slump where the team dropped four consecutive games between Weeks 7 and 11, including a costly 42-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Facing elimination from playoff contention at 5-5, the Vikings rallied by winning four of their next five contests. Critical victories over the Oakland Raiders in overtime (16-13) and a sweep of the Detroit Lions stabilized the season, securing the crucial ninth win needed to clinch a postseason spot.

Minnesota's postseason run proved brief, as they traveled to Texas Stadium for the Wild Card round and suffered a decisive 40-15 loss to the defending champion Dallas Cowboys. Despite the early exit, the 1996 season served as a foundational bridge in team history. It established Brad Johnson as a capable starting quarterback and highlighted the elite receiving duo of Carter and Reed. Furthermore, Randle's dominant season reaffirmed his status as one of the game's premier interior defenders, setting up the framework for the offensive juggernaut Minnesota would unleash just two seasons later.