Well.....better to find out definitively now....

[greediron]

I was a Sam is the bridge QB to wait a minute this guy might be the real deal to OK let's see how he finishes the season to throw the bum out.

so much this.

[JimmyinSD]

I think you invest your FA money into OL and whatever best defender you can get on DL or DB.

At RB, I would resign Jones if his contract is similar to this year and then try to find a more physical guy that is more punishing to go with him.

I think you worry about stud RB in a year or two once the OLine is in place, not early in the rebuild.

this,  100% this!!!

RBs have the shortest shelf life of any position,  OL have some of the longest careers... why are we considering the cart before the horse?  especially since its been proven for quite a while that quality RBs can be gotten in later rounds of the draft,  as well as almost every year in free agency.

[Greylock]

I agree with this. There is talent at offensive line in free agency and I think that's where you spend the money. Sign guys that are proven. We've talked about Tre Smith, but Drew Dalman the center from Atlanta is another name to look at. 26 years old and is the top rated player at his position in free agency. According to PFF out of 64 centers graded, he ranked 4th overall, 5th in run blocking, and 22nd in pass blocking. That's a massive improvement to Bradbury who ranked 33rd overall, 14th in run blocking, and 44th in pass blocking. Back up the brings truck for Smith and Dalman in free agency and call it a day. Use the draft to address holes on defense, where our needs line up with the depth available.

Most likely Smith and Dalman will be resigned by their respective teams or will be rather expensive to sign for the Vikings.  One guy I would like to be signed is G Brandon Scherff from Jacksonville.  In 2024 he had 1,013 snaps and flagged for 2 penalties and 0 sacks allowed in 2024. He is 33 but still playing at a high level and he is a Midwest guy from Iowa that may like to return close to home.  At his age a short term deal may be needed but he would be a good guy to sign for at least a couple of years plus he has a nasty streak that our line needs.

[greediron]

Sad man. Not sure I've ever seen a meltdown like it. I mean, did Sam even attempt a run last night? Or last week? Normally when guys get skittish they take off and run. Or get rid of the ball quicker. Not our Sam! Hold that ball and take that sack baby!

W. T. F!

I said the same thing.  I know he has always had his limitations, but to go from the dark horse mvp to throw the bum out in 8 days is crazy.  He did run a few times, but it was always the wrong way for an even bigger sack.

---

No doubt IDL. corner is a big need. I would not be surprised if they went tailback at 24, could be the prime spot for one of the top ones this draft. 

(cough, Henderson, cough)

Look what Gibbs and Montgomery have done for the Lions.

Given the # of needs on the team, its surprising to me they posted 14 wins. Not surprising, but kinda incredible. JJM's job would be a lot easier with a running game and that D has to improve vs pass too. 

Vikings are a good team, but not elite.

Fix the IOL and we might have a chance at running the ball.

[purplefaithful]

No QB controversy here; playoff debacle makes clear Vikings must dump Sam Darnold and develop J.J. McCarthy

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – Kevin O’Connell uses affirming language, so if you want to find the right phrase for what happened to the Vikings the past two weeks, you’d have to revisit the Brad Childress era.

Ol’ Chili would have called this “total systemic failure.”

Self-destruction in Detroit.
Embarrassment in Arizona.

Two blowout losses to end one of the most surprising success stories in Vikings history.

And this rare predicament: A 14-win team that failed so utterly under pressure that it has no choice but to dump the quarterback who won those 14 games.

What this Vikings regime proved this season is that it knows how to build a winner, even under adverse circumstances.

What this Vikings regime proved this postseason is that even a well-run organization can only fake it at the quarterback position for so long.

Sam Darnold couldn’t stand the pressure in Detroit, and he disintegrated in the dry heat of Arizona during the Vikings’ 27-9 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

The Vikings finish their season 14-4 overall, with all four of their losses coming to starting quarterbacks coached for years by Sean McVay.

Last week, Jared Goff shredded the Vikings defense.

Monday night, it was Matthew Stafford.

Both demonstrated how to handle pressure — that from pass rushers and the outside world.

Darnold couldn’t handle either.

He held the ball too long, allowing a highly effective Rams pass rush to bully the overmatched Vikings offensive line. He forced a pass to Jordan Addison that resulted in an interception, failing to see Jalen Nailor wide open downfield.

He fumbled while taking a sack, resulting in a Rams defensive touchdown.

With Darnold imploding, the Vikings were going to need defensive or special-teams touchdowns to stay in the game, but when they got one — on Blake Cashman’s fumble return — it was overruled because Stafford had made a half-hearted, backhanded throwing motion that was ruled a pass attempt and thus an incompletion.

Darnold cost himself a lot of money Monday, and removed himself from consideration of being the Vikings’ long-term starter.

Which, for the long haul, is a good thing.

If Darnold wasn’t going to be able to win big games, it’s better for the Vikings to find out now, before investing big money in him and relegating J.J. McCarthy to a backup role.
More good news? The Vikings can let Darnold walk in free agency, and they might have their next bridge quarterback in place. Daniel Jones can start the 2025 season, giving McCarthy all the time he needs to recover from knee surgery.

O’Connell got the best anyone has ever gotten out of Kirk Cousins, then the Vikings decided that Cousins wasn’t worth what the Falcons were going to pay him.

They were right.

Now O’Connell has gotten the best anyone has gotten out of Darnold, and the Vikings will again be right to believe that it was O’Connell and not the quarterback who deserved the credit.

Want more good news?

Vikings fans don’t have to see the season end in Philadelphia, while Philly fans assault visiting Minnesotans and an even better defense than the Rams’ assaults Darnold.

Monday night was ugly, but if you’re going to lose a playoff game, it’s best to have clarity. The Vikings now have clarity.

They need to develop McCarthy into their long-term franchise quarterback.

They need to bolster the offensive line, which wasn’t good enough to support a quarterback who held the ball too long Monday.

They need to refurbish the safety position with Harrison Smith likely retiring and Cam Bynum being one of those likable players who you can’t fool yourself into overpaying.

Blowout losses the past two weeks could have done the Vikings another favor. Maybe now defensive coordinator Brian Flores won’t get hired as a head coach, and the Vikings will be able to keep their defensive staff together.

There was good news for the Vikings in Glendale on Monday, if you could peel your bloodshot eyes from what was happening on the field.

Startribune

[MaroonBells]

No QB controversy here; playoff debacle makes clear Vikings must dump Sam Darnold and develop J.J. McCarthy

It's like both of us have been saying for months. Forget about what to do with Sam right now. It's too early and it's very likely that the decision whether to extend him or let him walk will become obvious by the end of the season. It had its ups and downs, but boy howdy, did it ever become obvious. LOL.

[supafreak84]

Most likely Smith and Dalman will be resigned by their respective teams or will be rather expensive to sign for the Vikings.  One guy I would like to be signed is G Brandon Scherff from Jacksonville.  In 2024 he had 1,013 snaps and flagged for 2 penalties and 0 sacks allowed in 2024. He is 33 but still playing at a high level and he is a Midwest guy from Iowa that may like to return close to home.  At his age a short term deal may be needed but he would be a good guy to sign for at least a couple of years plus he has a nasty streak that our line needs.

Well as mentioned, those other teams have cap issues and the Vikings have 73 million in cap space to spend. I'm ok over paying for proven talent because we finally have the money to spend and we've shown we struggle drafting lineman. Lets finally get the line right if there is the opportunity to do so

[greediron]

It's like both of us have been saying for months. Forget about what to do with Sam right now. It's too early and it's very likely that the decision whether to extend him or let him walk will become obvious by the end of the season. It had its ups and downs, but boy howdy, did it ever become obvious. LOL.

Yeah, maybe a little less obvious would have been more enjoyable.  But clarity is good.

[MaroonBells]

I think you invest your FA money into OL and whatever best defender you can get on DL or DB.

At RB, I would resign Jones if his contract is similar to this year and then try to find a more physical guy that is more punishing to go with him.

I think you worry about stud RB in a year or two once the OLine is in place, not early in the rebuild.

The only back under contract is Ty Chandler. The Vikings are going to add a starter, and it's not likely to be 30-year old Aaron Jones.

[supafreak84]

The only back under contract is Ty Chandler. The Vikings are going to add a starter, and it's not likely to be 30-year old Aaron Jones.

Jones is the top free agent back on most lists I see. I like Jones, but not sure how much he has left as a 30 year old RB and I'm sure the Vikings would prefer a younger option who fits in long term. 

One guy who would be interesting as a trade option who would fit nicely into the offense is Travis Etienne. 26, former 1st round pick, productive when healthy, and the Jaguars might prefer moving forward with Tank Bigsby.