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Interesting...Kwesi and crew knew all along that this would be the year that they would have this cap space and resources available THIS YEAR, and that's how they planned it and allowed it to roll out. Patience.
Q: No team appears to be spending as much cash on players in 2025. Was that part of the plan and does it inherently put more pressure on this year’s team?
A: This was a part of the plan the whole time, just knowing that we would have these resources, maybe moving on from that first core that we inherited and kind of came to this place here. Pressure — obviously I’m not one of the players on the field — but we brought in a lot of players that wake up every day trying to be the best version of themselves, so when you approach every day that way, I feel you don’t look too far in front of your face.
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Yep, and you could see it coming a mile away. 2025 would be the year we'd go for all the marbles. We'd be free of our big QB salary, we'd have our QBOTF going into his 2nd or 3rd year, depending on if we drafted him in '23 or '24. We'd have miles of cap space to replace the 1-year contract players (Tillery, Bullard, Gilmore) we'd signed to keep us competitive in the interim. We had some bad luck along the way (inability to sign Wilkins), but also some good (players like Hargrave and Allen don't often get released).
Gives me some peace of mind that the Vikings know exactly where they are in terms of the cap in 2026 and have a detailed plan for it.
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(06-06-2025, 11:31 AM)MaroonBells Wrote: Yep, and you could see it coming a mile away. 2025 would be the year we'd go for all the marbles. We'd be free of our big QB salary, we'd have our QBOTF going into his 2nd or 3rd year, depending on if we drafted him in '23 or '24. We'd have miles of cap space to replace the 1-year contract players (Tillery, Bullard, Gilmore) we'd signed to keep us competitive in the interim. We had some bad luck along the way (inability to sign Wilkins), but also some good (players like Hargrave and Allen don't often get released).
Gives me some peace of mind that the Vikings know exactly where they are in terms of the cap in 2026 and have a detailed plan for it.
Think of what he could do if he learned how to draft....starters on rookie contracts..
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(06-06-2025, 11:41 AM)badgervike Wrote: Think of what he could do if he learned how to draft....starters on rookie contracts..
Yes, even a below-average draft in 2022 would've helped this team a lot. Instead we got nothing.
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(06-06-2025, 11:52 AM)MaroonBells Wrote: Yes, even a below-average draft in 2022 would've helped this team a lot. Instead we got nothing.
Lions have 13 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
Packers have 12 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
Vikings have 6 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
It's tough to sustain and rebuild if you can't hit on the draft
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06-06-2025, 11:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-06-2025, 11:58 AM by purplefaithful.)
(06-06-2025, 11:52 AM)MaroonBells Wrote: Yes, even a below-average draft in 2022 would've helped this team a lot. Instead we got nothing.
We need a longer window than what FA alone can provide.
Which is why I'm not 100% behind KAM...
I'm ok with the extension because of FA and continuity. But look at that DL room as an example. I like the signings (a lot) on paper, but how many are 30+ now?
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06-06-2025, 12:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-06-2025, 12:04 PM by badgervike.)
(06-06-2025, 11:57 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: We need a longer window than what FA alone can provide.
Which is why I'm not 100% behind KAM...
I'm ok with the extension because of FA and continuity. But look at that DL room as an example. I like the signings (a lot) on paper, but how many are 30+ now?
We also have been very lucky with the Free Agents. Many of our FAs had injury history or are coming off injuries..corresponding to reduced salary demands...and so far it has worked out. I think we all remember the times it hasn't.
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The Eagles have 10 of 11 defensive starters on their D on first contracts. Howie is killing it…
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(06-06-2025, 11:56 AM)badgervike Wrote: Lions have 13 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
Packers have 12 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
Vikings have 6 projected starters on Offense and Defense on rookie deals
It's tough to sustain and rebuild if you can't hit on the draft
I agree with your bottom line, but where are you getting this info? Just curious. Only counting 7 on the Lions roster. And not all of that is a good thing. For example, Tate Ratledge is one, but I'm sure they'd prefer Ragnow.
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(06-06-2025, 12:39 PM)MaroonBells Wrote: I agree with your bottom line, but where are you getting this info? Just curious. Only counting 7 on the Lions roster. And not all of that is a good thing. For example, Tate Ratledge is one, but I'm sure they'd prefer Ragnow.
Looks like I missed a few Lion re-signings over the Summer. I have 9 / 10 starters on rookie contracts with the current Depth chart.
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