Win or lose...

[MaroonBells]

...this is good news.

[purplefaithful]

Fascinating off-season coming-up.

Hopefully not too soon.

Never boring in Viking Land.

[StickierBuns]

For sure, but.....if a certain someone gets franchised for $40 million it'll look substantially different for 2025. I can't see the organization letting McCarthy sit the first 3 years of his contract without starting him and seeing what they have in him, which is what would happen if somehow Darnold signed for a 2-year contract with Minnesota like some are forecasting.

KOC said that JJM was a 'franchise QB'.....that rookie contract is valuable....and if you're a 'QB Whisperer' than you've got a set of brand new unadulterated ears to whisper in. You can transform and improve the team quickly in 2025 with JJM's contract. Nix and Daniels both made the playoffs as rookies. JJ is going to know the offense well. Is it really a leap to think the Vikings would be successful next year with McCarthy QBing and an improved team thanks to free agency? It isn't. And the more thought I've given this, the more I think this is the route they'll take.

[purplefaithful]

I think so too Sticky...

A Lombardi would probably change things quite a bit, but I am expecting a Tag on Darnold and JJM to (minimally) compete for QB1 at OTA/CAMPS etc...

[supafreak84]

Free agents I'm looking at;

Trey Smith, G KC- It's time to solidify the interior long term and the 26 year old Smith is one of the best at his position

Osa Odigizuwa, DT Dallas- Vikings were interested in him at the trade deadline as a disruptive 3T. A more active defensive front is a must to upgrade this offseason. Only 27

Asante Samuel Jr, CB Los Angeles- I've always liked this kid. Ballhark, limited by shoulder injury this season. I like the bloodline and the fit in this scheme.

Of course we need to sign some of our guys also. Bynum, Murphy, potentially Harrison Smith and a couple others. Should be a very interesting offseason to see how they upgrade the roster.

[JimmyinSD]

Free agents I'm looking at;

Trey Smith, G KC- It's time to solidify the interior long term and the 26 year old Smith is one of the best at his position

Osa Odigizuwa, DT Dallas- Vikings were interested in him at the trade deadline as a disruptive 3T. A more active defensive front is a must to upgrade this offseason. Only 27

Asante Samuel Jr, CB Los Angeles- I've always liked this kid. Ballhark, limited by shoulder injury this season. I like the bloodline and the fit in this scheme.

Of course we need to sign some of our guys also. Bynum, Murphy, potentially Harrison Smith and a couple others. Should be a very interesting offseason to see how they upgrade the roster.

I dont think it matters who we sign at OG,  if we dont first upgrade the C position, it hasnt mattered who we have line up next to GB, the IOL has looked like shit.

[MaroonBells]

Free agents I'm looking at;

Trey Smith, G KC- It's time to solidify the interior long term and the 26 year old Smith is one of the best at his position

Osa Odigizuwa, DT Dallas- Vikings were interested in him at the trade deadline as a disruptive 3T. A more active defensive front is a must to upgrade this offseason. Only 27

Asante Samuel Jr, CB Los Angeles- I've always liked this kid. Ballhark, limited by shoulder injury this season. I like the bloodline and the fit in this scheme.

Of course we need to sign some of our guys also. Bynum, Murphy, potentially Harrison Smith and a couple others. Should be a very interesting offseason to see how they upgrade the roster.

The Vikings have the money to add a guy like Trey Smith. What's more, I've been reading that a new contract from the Chiefs may not be in the cards. He would be like a Hutchinson signing for us. They could put him at RG and move Risner over to LG to compete with Brandel, who hasn't been playing especially well since Darrisaw went down. Of course Risner's a free agent too. But he shouldn't be commanding too much money.

[AGRforever]

We have a great cap position but we don’t have “the” answer at QB. (Or at least aren’t paying much for it if it’s JJM) as well as:

No RB room
Empty CB room.
Weak interior OL

So plenty of things we’ll be required to get

[SurfnRide]

I dont think it matters who we sign at OG,  if we dont first upgrade the C position, it hasnt mattered who we have line up next to GB, the IOL has looked like shit.

Some have argued that its not GB but the poor play on his left and right and he is always having to cover for those 2 positions.  If he could get somewhat competent players next to him then our IOL could/would shore up quick.  

Who knows...  We have our bookends locked up. Bring some help in the middle one way or another.

[MaroonBells]

Some have argued that its not GB but the poor play on his left and right and he is always having to cover for those 2 positions.  If he could get somewhat competent players next to him then our IOL could/would shore up quick.  

Who knows...  We have our bookends locked up. Bring some help in the middle one way or another.

I think there's some truth to that. I think Bradbury is...average. According to PFF, he's top fourth as a run blocker and bottom fourth as a pass blocker. He's also under contract at a reasonable salary. If you're looking for the perfect offensive line, he can definitely be upgraded, but with bigger needs at CB, DT, RB and OG, it's hard to see them targeting his position for replacement this offseason. 

I could, however, see them drafting a center with that 3rd round comp pick to sit for a year under him. Michael Jurgens might be an option too, but that's a longshot for a 7th rounder. Looking at the top 10 centers available in free agency, there are better pass blockers, but Bradbury would rank 2nd on that list as a run blocker. 

One interesting this is that 49ers and their fans really wanted him before he re-upped with us. One man's trash is another man's treasure.