Coming off a thrilling run to the 2009 NFC Championship Game, the 2010 Minnesota Vikings entered the year with Super Bowl aspirations and a core hungry for one final title push. The franchise convinced 41-year-old quarterback Brett Favre to return, drafted defensive end Everson Griffen in the 4th round to bolster the pass rush and added veteran cornerback Lito Sheppard in free agency. However, the campaign quickly unraveled into one of the most tumultuous seasons in franchise history. Minnesota sputtered to a 3-7 start, prompting head coach Brad Childress to be fired in late November. Under interim head coach Leslie Frazier, the Vikings went 3-3 down the stretch to finish 6-10, landing in 4th place in the NFC North while missing the postseason.

The offensive unit regressed sharply from its previous heights, ranking 29th in scoring with just 281 points (17.6 ppg) and 23rd in total yards. Favre struggled with injuries and ball security, throwing for 2,509 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions across 13 starts. Backup Joe Webb added 477 passing yards and 120 rushing yards, while Tarvaris Jackson contributed 341 passing yards. The team's lone consistent offensive engine was star running back Adrian Peterson, who earned Second-Team All-Pro honors after rushing for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns on 283 carries. Receiver Percy Harvin chipped in 71 receptions for 868 yards and five touchdowns, while a brief October reunion with wideout Randy Moss netted just 13 catches before his sudden release.

Defensively, Minnesota remained respectable, ranking 8th in total yards allowed conceding 5,002 and 18th in scoring defense 348 points allowed (21.8 ppg). The pass rush remained potent thanks to defensive end Jared Allen, who paced the team with 11.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Ray Edwards provided strong edge support with 8.0 sacks, while Kevin Williams anchored the interior line. Linebacker Chad Greenway spearheaded the linebackers with a team-high 144 combined tackles, complemented by middle linebacker E.J. Henderson's 105 tackles and three interceptions. Cornerback Antoine Winfield anchored the secondary with 91 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions.

The season was defined by relentless off-field drama and logistical chaos. A midseason trade brought Randy Moss back to Minnesota, but friction between Moss and Childress led to Moss being waived after just four games. A humbling 31-3 home loss to Green Bay in Week 11 sealed Childress's fate. In December, a heavy snowstorm caused the Metrodome roof to collapse, forcing the Vikings to play home games in Detroit and outdoors at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium. Amid the bizarre conditions, rookie quarterback Joe Webb provided a rare bright spot by leading a shocking 24-14 Tuesday night victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.

Missing the playoffs at 6-10, the 2010 season marked the abrupt closure of the Favre era in Minnesota, as a concussion against Chicago in Week 15 effectively ended his legendary career. Despite the team's collapse, individual honors were awarded to Adrian Peterson, Kevin Williams, Antoine Winfield, and E.J. Henderson, who earned Pro Bowl recognition for their play. The 2010 Vikings serve as a cautionary tale of how quickly a championship window can slam shut when injuries, quarterback turnover, and internal strife collide.