General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are entering their third season with the Vikings. Each was given a four-year contract when they were hired in 2022. So, both are just past the half-way point of those contracts. Why is the media making potential contract extensions an issue now? I get asking about it when the general manager and coach are entering their final season. Now? Why? They each have nearly as much general managing and coaching in front of them on their current deals as they have behind them. It’s no wonder owners Zygi and/or Mark Wilf only speak to the media a couple times each year. It feels like they just hired Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell and now they’re being asked about extending them. That’s a topic for next season.
More media. I truly appreciate the training camp reports from the team’s legion of beat writers. They do a great job. It’d be nice if they can tap the breaks on the knee-jerk reactions to injuries and practice absences. Some of the immediate reactions to on-field injuries had Shaquill Griffin, Robert Tonyan, and Jerry Tillery being season-altering. The manner in which yesterday’s practice absences of Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw were initially reported were heart-stopping.
While they don’t mean much, I look forward to the training camp release of the team’s “unofficial” depth chart.
On the field stuff:
While I can’t wait to see J.J. McCarthy leading the Vikings, I’m in no real hurry for it. It’s going to happen.
By all accounts, Sam Darnold has been excellent on deep throws to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Hopefully, he can bring that timing and connection to the immediate throws.
It’s funny that the players voted Tyreek Hill as the best player in the league. It’s funny because he isn’t even the best receiver in the league.
Justin Jefferson.
Stay healthy Jalen Nailor. A healthy Jalen Nailor has teased each of the past two years. When healthy, he’s looked every bit an impactful compliment to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. Unfortunately, nearly all of his healthy moments have come in the offseason. So, stay healthy Jalen Nailor.
I’m looking forward to seeing the Vikings offensive line this season. The only change from last year is Blake Brandel at left guard in place of Ezra Cleveland/Dalton Risner. I’ve been curious about Brandel since his Oregon State days. It’s always been more a feeling than anything identified or quantified. If the Vikings could find a place for him, I thought that he could make an impact. Perhaps it’s just a general evolution of the offense under O’Connell. Perhaps it’s just a belief that the run game will be much improved. I just have a good feeling about the Vikings offensive line.
Aaron Jones.
Brian Flores.
I can’t wait to see McCarthy. That will happen when it happens. I really can’t wait to see the Vikings defense. Flores has made everything about the Vikings defense fun and exciting. With his schemes and coaching, I’m a little less concerned about potential talent deficiencies at defensive line and cornerback.
Safety has been the strength of the defense for a few years. Harrison Smith is still brilliant. Camryn Bynum is a fast emerging talent. Josh Metellus is everywhere. By all accounts, Theo Jackson might be having the best training camp of any player on the team. Can Flores get all four on the field?
By the end of the season, outside linebacker could approach the safeties as a team strength.
Jonathan Greenard
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Patrick Jones II
Gabriel Murphy
Jihad Ward
Andre Carter II
Owen Porter
Bo Richter
The Vikings have nine outside linebackers on the training camp roster. All but Patrick Jones II and Andre Carter II are new to the team. The offseason overhaul of the position has been remarkable.
I can’t wait to see McCarthy. I can’t wait to see Flores’ defense. I can’t wait to see Dallas Turner. He’s going to be a star.
The Vikings haven’t won a preseason game since 2019. They’re on a 10-game losing streak. The final scores of these “practice” games will never be as important as the content. Still, that’s a losing streak that I’d like to see end on Saturday. I think it will.
Skol!
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