Minnesota Vikings Team Thread (2 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

The Vikings still haven’t had a QB start all games in a season for consecutive years since 16 game expansion in 1978

The Minnesota Vikings have never had a quarterback start all 16/17 games in two consecutive seasons

The last time they had a quarterback start every game in two consecutive seasons was in '72-73 with Fran Tarkenton, but that was before the schedule expanded to 16 games in 1978.

Assuming Darnold doesn’t next year, we are looking at 53+ years before it happens.

Where do you come up with this stuff? You should be in the booth somewhere filling announcers with these tidbits.

Job Title: Sticky Notes Guy

 

[Gally]

The Vikings still haven’t had a QB start all games in a season for consecutive years since 16 game expansion in 1978

Culpepper just liked taking a year off every other year. Starting in 2000 he went 16, 11, 16, 14, 16.

ETA: Cousins went 16, 15, 16, 16,17. He sat out one game in 2021 (week 17 i due to Covid)

 

[Gjallarhorn]

The Vikings still haven’t had a QB start all games in a season for consecutive years since 16 game expansion in 1978

Culpepper just liked taking a year off every other year. Starting in 2000 he went 16, 11, 16, 14, 16.

Those dirty Lions players ruined his career

Edit: I stand corrected. I always thought his major knee injury was from the 2003 game at Detroit. I picture him running into the endzone and a Lions player taking his knee out after he crossed the goal line. He actually only missed 2 games from that play. The major knee injury was vs. Carolina in 2005. Mandela Effect I guess. Sorry to all the Lions players, front office, their families, and their fans.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

 

[snogger]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Still in recovery mode.

Glad he is getting an extension.
Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Still in recovery mode.

Glad he is getting an extension.
Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

It was expected, but still massive. Sounds like Flores is still black balled by NFL owners, so he should also be around for the foreseeable future.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Still in recovery mode.

Glad he is getting an extension.
Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

It was expected, but still massive. Sounds like Flores is still black balled by NFL owners, so he should also be around for the foreseeable future.

This is starting to feel like the Eric Bieniemy situation - maybe he's just not had coach material.

 

[Biabreakable]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Happy they did it. KOC has done a great job.

It's never Twins season for me.

I just don't have much to say here. The team exceed expectations. I barely watched them all year. Darnold played better than I thought he could but reverted to his true self once things got turned up a notch.

I will watch them more if it's not Darnold starting.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Happy they did it. KOC has done a great job.

It's never Twins season for me.

I just don't have much to say here. The team exceed expectations. I barely watched them all year. Darnold played better than I thought he could but reverted to his true self once things got turned up a notch.

I will watch them more if it's not Darnold starting.

Didn’t watch your team during a 14 win season? Seems like an odd time not to tune in.

 

[Gally]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Still in recovery mode.

Glad he is getting an extension.
Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

It was expected, but still massive. Sounds like Flores is still black balled by NFL owners, so he should also be around for the foreseeable future.

This is starting to feel like the Eric Bieniemy situation - maybe he's just not had coach material.

Difference is that Flores had a chance and didn't do well. I think some guys are just coordinators and some are HC's. I think Flores is a coordinator.

 

[Gally]

Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

I was just shaking my head watching Philly put up monster yards on the ground. Granted we don't have Saquon but Jones isn't terrible. Ugh.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Nothing about KOC signing an extension? Man, it really is Twins season.

Still in recovery mode.

Glad he is getting an extension.
Hope he is watching the playoff games seeing how other teams RUN the ball when inside the 5.

It was expected, but still massive. Sounds like Flores is still black balled by NFL owners, so he should also be around for the foreseeable future.

This is starting to feel like the Eric Bieniemy situation - maybe he's just not had coach material.

Difference is that Flores had a chance and didn't do well. I think some guys are just coordinators and some are HC's. I think Flores is a coordinator.

Another difference is that teams now seem to think EB can do neither.

 

[Donnybrook]

Can't wait to see if this team is serious about improving this year.

Drew Dalman, C, Falcons​

Let’s first note that current Vikings center Garrett Bradbury remains under contract for 2025. Minnesota could cut him, absorb his dead cap hit and save around $3.6 million. Doing so would open the door for a player like Dalman. The 26-year-old is similar to Smith because he is a better run blocker than pass protector. Dalman’s pass-blocking efficiency hovers around the middle of NFL centers. If the Vikings are sold on upgrading their rushing attack above all else, Dalman would make sense at an upper-tier cost (likely around $12 million per season).

The draftable centers are being projected to go middle on the second round. The Vikings don't have a 2nd round pick.

 

[BigJim®]

The draftable centers are being projected to go middle on the second round. The Vikings don't have a 2nd round pick.

They almost have to trade down the 1st, ideally even multiple times for small gains.

Hopefully they find a FA solution at center but am a little worried about $12M for a guy described as a better run blocker than pass protector. First, priority should be giving JJ a safe pocket. Second, run blocking is meaningless if you’re getting steamrolled by the DLs they need to beat.

 

[Deamon]

Darnold and Mullens gone. This is now Rypien's team until JJ is mature enough in a year or two.

 

[snogger]

Darnold and Mullens gone. This is now Rypien's team until JJ is mature enough in a year or two.

Unless they sign a veteran, JJ is starting day one.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Byron Murphy back on a big three-year deal.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Jevon Holland was offered $21M per year by the Vikings to reunite with DC Brian Flores...
He declined per Zach Gatsby from Vikings Insider

 

[Donnybrook]

Jevon Holland was offered $21M per year by the Vikings to reunite with DC Brian Flores...
He declined per Zach Gatsby from Vikings Insider

They decided to give that money to Byron Murphy. 22 M per season

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave?

Not too bad, Kweisi. Not too bad.

 

[Gally]

Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave?

Not too bad, Kweisi. Not too bad.

Better that I ever imagined.

 

[SayWhat?]

Fun. This is what you can do when you don’t give $33-40M per year to Cousins/Darnold-level quarterbacks.

Now we just cross our fingers with JJM.

 

[skol asylum]

Love that they are building the lines. Looking forward to a fun season watching McCarthy grow into the job.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Love that they are building the lines. Looking forward to a fun season watching McCarthy grow into the job.

Great offseason on paper, setting JJ up for success. This division will be a tough road for all teams especially if CHI takes a leap forward.

 

[Heatman]

Awesome seeing the Vikings improve where needed! I'm hearings Rodgers rumors and I hate that. I hope they go with JJ and don't look back, this team is looking very very nice.

 

[skol asylum]

LFG! Skoooooooollllll!

20K views · 5.1K reactions | The time has come… 🔥 KOC & JJ era starts now! #SKOL | @jjmccarthy | @vikings | vikesverified

The time has come… 🔥 KOC & JJ era starts now! #SKOL | @jjmccarthy | @vikings.

www.facebook.com

 

[Donnybrook]

Will Ragetz after the Vikings got bounced from the playoffs:

— The cap space has to be poured into the trenches this spring. Do whatever it takes to bring in some upgrades on the interior of the OL. Add some difference-makers at DT. The other needs (CB, RB, etc.) pale in comparison to getting better up front.

Kwesi:

https://i.imgur.com/VmAvRlR.gif

 

[travdogg]

Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave?

Not too bad, Kweisi. Not too bad.

Better that I ever imagined.

I'm kinda curious if they keep Bradbury. I've always thought he could be better at Guard than Center. I think he'd be better than Brandel or Ingram.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Will Ragetz after the Vikings got bounced from the playoffs:

— The cap space has to be poured into the trenches this spring. Do whatever it takes to bring in some upgrades on the interior of the OL. Add some difference-makers at DT. The other needs (CB, RB, etc.) pale in comparison to getting better up front.

Kwesi:

https://i.imgur.com/VmAvRlR.gif

Gee, if only somebody had been pointing out for - oh I didn't know - the last ten or so years that they were getting killed up the middle on both sides of the ball.

 

[Donnybrook]

Will Ragetz after the Vikings got bounced from the playoffs:

— The cap space has to be poured into the trenches this spring. Do whatever it takes to bring in some upgrades on the interior of the OL. Add some difference-makers at DT. The other needs (CB, RB, etc.) pale in comparison to getting better up front.

Kwesi:

https://i.imgur.com/VmAvRlR.gif

Gee, if only somebody had been pointing out for - oh I didn't know - the last ten or so years that they were getting killed up the middle on both sides of the ball.

For the record, I am fully aware that you are the OG that been calling for the Vikings to make the change in the middle for a decade.

I thought it would have been obvious to Kwesi after the way Dexter Lawrence dominated Bradbury 3 years ago. Better late than never is all I can say.

 

[Donnybrook]

Vikings get top comp pick in the draft — 3.97

 

[Wingnut]

Brace yourselves

Dianna Russini:

Vikings decision-makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP is intrigued by the idea of playing in Minnesota. For now, it’s a waiting game, sources tell @mikesilver and me.

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1899916785161298205?t=xUwGG5GB2swPzyDXOK9k2w&s=19

 

[SayWhat?]

F that. Terrrrrrrrrrrible idea.

 

[BigJim®]

Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave?

Not too bad, Kweisi. Not too bad.

Better that I ever imagined.

I'm kinda curious if they keep Bradbury. I've always thought he could be better at Guard than Center. I think he'd be better than Brandel or Ingram.

Why so? He got steamrolled as a center. It would be pretty frustrating if they finally replaced this liability at center and converted him to a liability at guard. Just get rid of guys who get steamrolled, period. We have no place for them.

 

[skol asylum]

The Sauce Gardner rumors are very tasty. Make it happen.

 

[snogger]

Brace yourselves

Dianna Russini:

Vikings decision-makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP is intrigued by the idea of playing in Minnesota. For now, it’s a waiting game, sources tell @mikesilver and me.

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1899916785161298205?t=xUwGG5GB2swPzyDXOK9k2w&s=19

I'm hearing Rodgers to Steelers.. Thank God!!

 

[Donnybrook]

The Sauce Gardner rumors are very tasty. Make it happen.

Not going to lie. I never liked Sauce. Holds way to much IMO. Didn't think he deserved DROY in 2022.

Thor was spit balling that the Vikings should trade Jordon Addison for him. I am not onboard. I think we are better off taking a rookie corner at 24.

 

[Donnybrook]

BTW the Hitman is back for another season. Tom Pelissero:

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will return for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to terms today on a new contract with the #Vikings, per sources. At age 36, Smith is still playing at a high level and can now add to his hall of fame resume.

 

[BeTheMatch]

BTW the Hitman is back for another season. Tom Pelissero:

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will return for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to terms today on a new contract with the #Vikings, per sources. At age 36, Smith is still playing at a high level and can now add to his hall of fame resume.

I'm sorry, but he is absolutely washed. Just WILL NOT tackle anymore. They're playing with 10 guys out there. High level, my ***.

 

[BigJim®]

I'm sorry, but he is absolutely washed. Just WILL NOT tackle anymore. They're playing with 10 guys out there. High level, my ***.

He's become a liability in 1-1 coverage packages for sure, but this seems way harsh by my eyes. If anything, he's tackling too aggressively at times (roughness penalties). I have to think he's at least league average by any NFL standard for a safety, and a good veteran presence on the field and locker room. Particularly in a complicated defensive scheme.

 

[travdogg]

Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave?

Not too bad, Kweisi. Not too bad.

Better that I ever imagined.

I'm kinda curious if they keep Bradbury. I've always thought he could be better at Guard than Center. I think he'd be better than Brandel or Ingram.

Why so? He got steamrolled as a center. It would be pretty frustrating if they finally replaced this liability at center and converted him to a liability at guard. Just get rid of guys who get steamrolled, period. We have no place for them.

He's a very good run blocker who excels at pulling and getting to the 2nd level. You do that more at G than C. Not saying he'll suddenly be a pro bowler at G, just that I think he's better than Brandel or Ingram.

I think there is a decent chance they go OL (Booker maybe?) in round 1, but if not, I think Bradbury is a lot better as your 5th best OL, than your 3rd best, which is what he's been.

The Sauce Gardner rumors are very tasty. Make it happen.

Not going to lie. I never liked Sauce. Holds way to much IMO. Didn't think he deserved DROY in 2022.

Thor was spit balling that the Vikings should trade Jordon Addison for him. I am not onboard. I think we are better off taking a rookie corner at 24.

I can't imagine Addison would be even close to enough for Gardner.

 

[Donnybrook]

Travdogg said:

I can't imagine Addison would be even close to enough for Gardner.

That is definitely popular opinion but Sauce is in the final year of his contract. Jets can feel free to pay him - Patrick Surtain money.

In looking at Reed's 2024 season with the Jets, the 5-foot-9 cornerback was effective in forcing tight-window throws, and he recorded a better passer rating against than Sauce Gardner

 

[BigJim®]

He's a very good run blocker who excels at pulling and getting to the 2nd level. You do that more at G than C.

Bradbury being a good run blocker is a myth, JMHO. The Vikes run attack has succeeded only when using a heavy play action offense, with a legit passing threat. That's it. It's not been a rushing offense to be relied on, IMHO. The OL is consistently unable to get that yard rushing when needed, or closing out games. It’s to the point they just gave up trying to run inside the 5, because they can't. Running up the middle has been a problem as long as Bradbury has been on point.

But even if I agreed he can run block, the focus needs to be assuring a clean pocket for JJM. If Bradbury can't pass block at center, why would he be able to pass block as a guard? They tried that with Elflein and it just prolonged the problem.

 

[Biabreakable]

BTW the Hitman is back for another season. Tom Pelissero:

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will return for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to terms today on a new contract with the #Vikings, per sources. At age 36, Smith is still playing at a high level and can now add to his hall of fame resume.

I'm sorry, but he is absolutely washed. Just WILL NOT tackle anymore. They're playing with 10 guys out there. High level, my ***.

I didn't watch much Vikings last season but according to pff Smith still graded pretty well.

Perhaps more importantly Smith is like a coach on the field. Making coverage adjustments pre snap that others may not be as savvy.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

They're still in on Rodgers? Ewwwwwww....

I don't care if he can win them a Super Bowl. Him winning the Vikings a championship would be worse to me than them never winning one at all.

Harumph.

 

[TheAristocrat]

They're still in on Rodgers? Ewwwwwww....

I don't care if he can win them a Super Bowl. Him winning the Vikings a championship would be worse to me than them never winning one at all.

Harumph.

Don't troll the Favre lovers

 

[Andy Dufresne]

They're still in on Rodgers? Ewwwwwww....

I don't care if he can win them a Super Bowl. Him winning the Vikings a championship would be worse to me than them never winning one at all.

Harumph.

Don't troll the Favre lovers

At least Favre was kind of likeable.

 

[Donnybrook]

I have been doing a few Vikings mock draft simulations and it seems that the BPA at 24 is Colston Loveland. Free Agency has filed a lot of the holes and I am wondering if the Vikings reunite him and McCarthy.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I have been doing a few Vikings mock draft simulations and it seems that the BPA at 24 is Colston Loveland. Free Agency has filed a lot of the holes and I am wondering if the Vikings reunite him and McCarthy.

Interesting thought as my brain never went there. They have Hock on the books for a few more years they are in a pretty good position to take BPA. It would give the offense extreme versatility and Loveland seems to perform well from the slot position.

 

[JohnnyU]

I have been doing a few Vikings mock draft simulations and it seems that the BPA at 24 is Colston Loveland. Free Agency has filed a lot of the holes and I am wondering if the Vikings reunite him and McCarthy.

Interesting thought as my brain never went there. They have Hock on the books for a few more years they are in a pretty good position to take BPA. It would give the offense extreme versatility and Loveland seems to perform well from the slot position.

Loveland won’t fall that far. He won’t get past the Colts just off the top of my head.