Jared Allen has an honest opinion of our QB

[Montana Tom]

HOF #69 on what the Vikings should do about JJM...

"I think that's the problem, he's young and from a Vikings fan standpoint, you're looking at one of the best receiving corps in the league," continued Allen. "How long can we sustain (that)? We got a defense that finished the (season) red hot, but everybody's getting older. Every year they get older and those pieces start to fall off. So if you're waiting for J.J. to mature by year five, six, seven, you know, all of a sudden Justin Jefferson is 10, 12 years in. The whole dynamic changes. I'm not one on like fire selling and that kind of stuff but there's a lot of questions that were raised. If you can't stay healthy, you can't stay the starter."

As for who is the right answer to come in, Allen, like everybody else, has his opinions on the best fit for Minnesota. He said not bringing in Aaron Rodgers last year was the correct decision, questioning if another bridge year would have been the right answer for the "long-term success of J.J. (McCarthy)."

Another popular name that has been thrown out in recent weeks is former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. The current Atlanta QB is likely to be released by the Falcons this offseason just two years into his four-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2024. Cousins didn't shoot down the idea of a return during numerous interviews on Radio Row last week. However, for Allen, that's a no-go.

"No. In his prime we weren't winning championships with him," Allen said.

Allen did say he thinks Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa would be an interesting option. That's probably highly unlikely, though, considering Tua's past criticism of current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from their time together in Miami. Another name that seemed to interest Allen was current 49ers QB Mac Jones.

"I like what Mac (Jones) did when he stepped in for Brock Purdy," continued Allen. "I think he did a great job in San Francisco. So I like Mac Jones. I think he's talented."

[purplefaithful]

I dont think Mac Jones is going to be let loose, unless a team offers too much for him.

I hope last year was the lumpy, ugly one with McCarthy and its smoother sailing ahead.

That said, we need to improve the QB room w/out a doubt.

So right back to where we were. Always interesting to hear from a player though, especially someone of Allens stature.

[MaroonBells]

I think Jared should stick to riding horses and sacking quarterbacks.

[Zanary]

How many championships did we win with Jared?

With Favre, for that matter?

His point has some relevance, but as we're talking about out QB2 (hopefully...BEEF UP, JJM) who'd see limited field time, age is less of a factor. For that matter, several QBs have shown it to be less of a factor each year.

[JR44]

I can't think of worse option than Tua, basically another QB who can't stay on the field and with even less mobility than Cousins and a weaker arm than Mac Jones. Fortunately, the presence of Flores on the team will never allow for that happen.

[FLVike]

How many championships did we win with Jared?

With Favre, for that matter?

His point has some relevance, but as we're talking about out QB2 (hopefully...BEEF UP, JJM) who'd see limited field time, age is less of a factor. For that matter, several QBs have shown it to be less of a factor each year.

In 2009 we had the best team and would have won the championship if the Saints didn't cheat.

[JR44]

In 2009 we had the best team and would have won the championship if the Saints didn't cheat.

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

[DeepFreeze05]

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

He may have meant the best team remaining out of all the other playoff teams. The interception by Favre should never have happened due to the 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty. With the game tied at 28 and only 19 seconds left in regulation, the Vikings were in field goal range at around the 33-yard line. Favre called a timeout, but then the penalty occurred, taking the Vikings out of field goal range. This led to Favre's interception. In overtime, the Vikings had no chance with the officials taking over and helping out the Saints. 

Vikings at 0:46.

[Zanary]

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

Beat me to it.

The 1998 team is still the most dominant Vikings team I remember witnessing, as names like Moss and Randle, Carter and Cunningham, and more were all on their A Game. A series of coaching and player mistakes cost us against Atlanta (plus a few key injuries), but 15-1 and getting better almost every week was a helluva thing to see.

[comet52]

A couple more interviews like that and the Wilfs will probably hire him to be their next g.m.  

Those fellers are always thinking outside the box.