Category: Minnesota Vikings

Ja’Marr Chase shares fun detail about friendship with Justin Jefferson

As a result, the two All-Pro wide receivers were and remain best friends, but their relationship In season is rather unique. 

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson were teammates together at LSU and were a part of one of if not the best, seasons in college football history. Several offensive records were broken, and both of them played a major role in that being the reason why.

As a result, the two All-Pro wide receivers were and remain best friends, but their relationship In season is rather unique.

On Thursday, Chase spoke to the media and was asked about why he and Jefferson don’t talk to each other during the season. His response was rather comical saying “He’s just too big-time for me, man. He just don’t respond to me, bro.”

Of course, he said this with a laugh and a big smile, but it speaks to how seriously they take their craft. Jefferson and Chase are both the best in the NFL at their positions for a reason. Sacrifices have to be made, and sometimes, friendships are on hold.

One can assume once their seasons are over, they become best friends all over again.

ESPN sees Sam Darnold as a highly coveted free agent in 2025

When ESPN wrote about the upcoming free agent class, they ranked the players, and Sam Darnold came in rather high compared to others. 

The Minnesota Vikings have benefited from Sam Darnold’s play this year. He is set to be a free agent since he signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason.

When ESPN wrote about the upcoming free agent class, they ranked the players, and Sam Darnold came in rather high compared to others.

Matt Bowen wrote that Darnold should be a rather popular quarterback option for teams. He writes, “With his arm strength and mobility, Darnold will have options on the market if he can produce over the second half of the season.” He has shown his year he can be more than a bridge quarterback; the money he earns this Spring could also reflect that.

However, on the note of being a bridge, Jeremy Fowler writes that “Darnold and Minnesota are 7-2 together, so entertaining a bridge deal while the team continues to develop McCarthy behind the scenes shouldn’t be completely off the table.”

If Darnold were to return, McCarthy and his knee would be in a completely different situation to justify it.

Blake Cashman’s impact on Vikings defense isn’t being appreciated enough

The Minnesota Vikings defense has had several special performances in 2024, none more impressive than Blake Cashman.

The Minnesota Vikings defense has had several special performances in 2024, none more impressive than Blake Cashman. He has missed two games in 2024, and the Vikings lost both of those games.

That isn’t a coincidence either as the Vikings Communications Team broke down just how special the former Golden Gopher is having a season.

Blake Cashman is one of four players in the NFL with at least 45 tackles, five passes defensed, and 2.0 sacks. The Vikings Communications Team also points out that Cashman has played in six games while the other four players have seen action in 10.

Not to be lost in the shuffle, Cashman is one of just two linebackers to do this in 2024, with the other being Brian Burns of the New York Giants. 

Cashman is on the injury report this week again but was a full participant in practice. His presence will be key to the rest of the Vikings season being a success or failure.

ESPN speculates where Sam Darnold will play in 2025 if he leaves Vikings

Because of his play in 2024, Darnold is now expected to become a highly sought-after free agent during the upcoming offseason. 

Sam Darnold has exceeded everyone’s expectations for the 2024 season by a wide margin. Even we here at Vikings Wire didn’t have too high of expectations for the team, but Darnold has been able to get the most out of this team alongside the coaching staff.

Because of his play in 2024, Darnold is now expected to become a highly sought-after free agent during the upcoming offseason.

ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano were asked to preview the free agent class and list some potential fits for them. When discussing Darnold, Fowler listed the Titans but also mentioned the Panthers, Colts, Raiders, Browns, and Jets.

I’m not sure if Darnold would return to the Panthers and Jets, considering he played there with little success prior in his career.

Meanwhile, Dan Graziano presented a different spot with fun implications. He has Darnold heading back out west to play for the Los Angeles Rams, either to replace or be behind Matthew Stafford for a year. It also allowed Darnold to return to where he played college football in Los Angeles as a member of the USC Trojans.

Vikings CB Byron Murphy Jr. is in unique company heading into Week 11

Murphy Jr. is doing so well that he is the first Vikings cornerback with an interception in three straight games since 1992.

The secondary has led the Vikings’ defense this year during their great start through 10 weeks of the season. One of those leaders on defense is cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who is on a special run as of late, and it has him in unique company.

Murphy Jr. is doing so well that he is the first Vikings cornerback with an interception in three straight games since 1992.

Audray McMillian, in 1992, was the last Vikings cornerback to have such a run. Only two other players, Carl Lee in 1988 and Issiac Holt in 1986, had longer stretches. Lee did it for five games in a row, and Holt did it for four straight games.

Murphy Jr. has joked that he wants to get to 10 interceptions in 2024, but he currently has just four. He is going to have to break a Vikings record to hit that 10 mark or double up in a couple of games.

The Athletic reports that Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell does not use game scripts

Most coaches use a script to call the first drive of the game, but Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell isn’t one of those coaches.

In football, you typically have a week to gameplan for the upcoming opponent, which means most teams have a scripted drive they plan on calling on offense. However, according to Alec Lewis with The Athletic, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is not one of those coaches. Lewis says O’Connell calls plays on the fly and makes adjustments when needed.

“Let’s set straight a misunderstanding about Kevin O’Connell’s play calling: The Minnesota Vikings coach does not call plays from a script. Some NFL coaches do, especially early in games. They spend ungodly time brainstorming the correct way to unveil their plan. In a sense, O’Connell is similar. There are plays he prefers over others, some of which he knows he will call in the first quarter. But it is never definite and is always adaptable on the fly.“

That’s eye-opening because, as we said above, most coaches do have some sort of script they call plays off of for at least the game’s opening drive. But the Vikings’ young, innovative coach is not one of those play callers.

Updated playoff and division title odds for the Vikings

Here are the chances the Vikings get to the playoffs and make it to the Super Bowl.

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a 12-7 win over the Jaguars last Sunday. The win moved the Vikings to 7-2 on the season. While plenty of football is still to be played, Minnesota is in a good spot nine games into the year.

According to ESPN’s latest playoff picture, the Vikings have an 89% chance of making the playoffs. But with the Lions leading the NFC, winning the NFC North won’t be so easy. According to the odds, Minnesota currently has just a 12% chance of winning the North over Detroit.

With not having great odds to win the division, ESPN gives the Vikings an 8% chance of earning a bye. However, Minnesota does have a 9% chance of getting to the Super Bowl.

The Lions have the greatest chance of making it to the Super Bowl with a 33% chance. The Eagles are next with a 16% chance, followed by Green Bay with a 10% chance. ESPN has Washington tied with the Vikings with a 9% chance of getting to the big game.

Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy undergoes second procedure on injured knee

Fast forward a few months and in the middle of his rehab, McCarthy is undergoing another surgery.

The Minnesota Vikings lost rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a torn meniscus early in the preseason. Everyone thought he was going to be playing sooner rather than later but those plans were sidelined.

Fast forward a few months following his initial injury, and in the middle of his rehab, McCarthy is undergoing another surgery on his meniscus.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN was the first to report the surgery and provided the details. According to Seifert, McCarthy started to experience swelling in his surgically repaired knee while rehabbing. He received a biologic injection, and his timetable to return should not be extended.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to the media on Wednesday about McCarthy and his knee and provided further comment. His answer to that question and more can be found below.

 

Kevin O’Connell shares details of the work he and Sam Darnold do

As it turns out, to no one’s surprise, Kevin O’Connell isn’t playing favorites but rather is giving all his quarterbacks equal treatment.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that J.J. McCarthy was back in the Vikings facility and continuing his rehab. One of those details included that he was meeting with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell weekly to discuss things and it had people questioning why Sam Darnold wasn’t getting the same treatment.

As it turns out, to no one’s surprise, Kevin O’Connell isn’t playing favorites but rather is giving all his quarterbacks equal treatment.

When speaking to the media on Monday, O’Connell gave some details as to the inner workings of his relationship with Sam Darnold operates. Not only did he reaffirm that Danrold is the starter, as did many players, but he also shared that he and Darnold meet weekly.

Just as he and J.J. McCarthy do.

The play-calling and decision-making choices show that O’Connell works hard to ensure his quarterbacks are in a good place. Despite Darnold playing the way he did this past week, it should speak very loud about what O’Connell and the organization think of Darnold to stick with him.

Vikings kicker John Parker Romo was staying ready for his chance

Vikings’ kicker John Parker Romo was ready for his first action in the NFL,

It was beginning to feel like the same old story for the Vikings after rookie kicker Will Reichard missed field goals last week in the win over the Colts. But come to find out, the star kicker was injured and would be placed on the Injured Reserve, which meant Minnesota was in need of finding yet another kicker.

In came John Parker Romo. He was with the Vikings this summer and was cut in camp in favor of Reichard, but Romo stayed ready for his chance.

In his first-ever NFL game, Romo scored all 12 points for the Vikings during their 12-7 win over the Jaguars. He nailed kicks of 45, 33, 34, and 29 yards to help the Minnesota defense win the game.

On Monday, Kevin O’Connell told the media the conversation he had with Romo before the game.

“I told him before the game, I said it the night before the game in front of the whole team that we all have confidence in him, and you’re gonna go do your thing,” O’Connell said on Monday. “‘It’s just the same old thing, you’ve done this 10,000 times, but now you’re gonna be doing it to help the Minnesota Vikings win,’ and that’s exactly what he did.”