Category: Offseason

ESPN host likes the idea of the Vikings trading J.J. McCarthy

For some people, Darnold’s emergence, though, has complicated the Vikings decision-making in terms of what to do for 2025 at the position.

The Minnesota Vikings benefited from having veteran QB Sam Darnold exceed expectations by a wide margin in 2024. The former top draft pick of the New York Jets turned himself from a Big Apple into a Cinderella story with Minnesota.

In some people’s eyes, Darnold’s emergence, though, has complicated the Vikings decision-making in terms of what to do for 2025 and beyond at the position.

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg was the latest person to add their two cents to the situation. He shared his thoughts on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.

 

 

Greenberg’s main argument, however, is the same argument one could make for why the Vikings should keep McCarthy. He states that McCarthy would be the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which he would be, so that makes him more valuable to other teams.

For the Vikings though, it allows them to have significant insurance at the most important position on the team. Could they give Darnold a short-term extension or franchise tag him? Sure, but McCarthy has clearly been the future for this team, and that hasn’t changed.

If anything, Darnold’s performance this year against the Lions cements the fact they need more out of the position and he cannot bring that.

NFC North division rival requests interview with Brian Flores

The Chicago Bears have requested an interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores regarding their vacant head coach position.

According to Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears have requested an interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores regarding their vacant head coach position. Flores was expected to be interviewed for head coaching opportunities this offseason, but one coming from a division rival is always a surprise.

The Bears are recognizing coaching talent within their division. Adam Schefter reports that the Bears want to interview Flores and have also requested interviews with the Lions’ Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.

As for Brian Flores, this marks the second interview he has been requested for on Monday. Earlier in the day, the New York Jets submitted a request for him to interview with them for their open head coaching spot. The Jets would create quite the storyline as it would put him back in the division with the team he coached prior, the Miami Dolphins.

The storyline would also be entertaining if he were to land the Bears job, considering the same joke would apply.

Jets request interview with Bucs front office member for vacant GM position

ESPN reports that Bucs assistant GM Mike Greenberg has been requested to interview for the Jets vacant general manager position. 

The season the Bucs had and how the 2024 draft class performed may be the year they lost some front-office assistants to another team. On Monday, the first of those dominos began to officially fall when a team requested to interview a member of the Bucs front office.

ESPN reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg has been requested to interview for the New York Jets vacant general manager position.

Greenberg, who was an intern for the Jets under General Manager Mike Tannenbaum in 2008 and 2009, has a chance to come full circle in his career. He grew up in Long Island as a Jets fan before getting into the NFL and becoming known as one of the best managers of player contracts in the league.

The Jets general manager search is being led by Tannenbaum so this requested interview shouldn’t come as a shock. That being said, it could lead to the Bucs and Jason Licht losing one of it’s key pieces in the front office.

Vikings executive gets mentioned as potential NFL GM candidate

According to Albert Breer, there is a Vikings front office, though there is an emerging candidate for expected general manager spots.

The first Monday of the NFL offseason is always tough for so many in the NFL as teams begin to change their coaching staff and front office staffs. The Minnesota Vikings are expected to have teams request for interviews with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and the Jets have already requested one.

According to Albert Breer, there is a Vikings front office, though there is an emerging candidate for expected general manager spots. Breer expects the New York Jets to be looking for retreads, former general managers who are looking for a second chance.

Just so happens the Vikings have one in Ryan Grigson who was general manager for the Colts from 2012 to 2016. He is currently listed as the Senior Vice President of Player Personnel for the Vikings.

Breer writes, “Ryan Grigson, another ex-GM who built playoff teams, deserves another look with his time in Indianapolis now having more context, and the success he’s had as the No. 2 to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in building this year’s Minnesota Vikings.”

Regardless of how this season ends for the Vikings, the team is going to be having changes on and off the field. If Grigson is requested for any interviews, we will be sure to pass those along here at Vikings Wire.

What will offseason coverage look like for Bucs Wire?

As a Bucs fan reading this, I know you want NFC South teams to struggle, but it is important to understand those teams as much as you do.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a rollercoaster of a season in 2024. The team started out better than we could have expected. They even gave the Lions their lone loss of the season, but despite that, they have struggled to find their footing on solid ground.

As a Bucs fan reading this, I know you want NFC South teams to struggle, but it is important to understand those teams as much as you do with Tampa Bay. That means our coverage this offseason is going to be complete.

Let me lay out the talking points and things to look for as this Bucs team enters December and beyond.

Coaching Staff Coverage

A coaching change isn’t expected with Todd Bowles, but if something were to happen, we, of course, would have you covered. The more likely things to see occur would be staff changes on defense and offensive coordinator Liam Coen getting some head coaching interviews. Last year we saw Dave Canales head to the Panthers to overhaul their offense, Coen could be tasked with something similar around the league.

If they are going to see staff overhauls, we will make sure you have a strong understanding of who could be coming onto the staff.

Free Agent Coverage

The Bucs have several big-time decisions to make in free agency, none larger than Chris Godwin. Coming off an injury that has seen him be taken out for the season, the team is expected to be in store for a tough contract negotiation.

Outside of Godwin, other players who are seeing their contracts expire include Joe Tyron-Shoyika, Lavonte David, William Gholston, Justin Skule, and Anthony Nelson. We could be looking at a very different team on defense, especially. Whatever moves they make, we will have them covered from every angle for you here at Bucs Wire.

NFL Draft Coverage

Now, for this part, some people may check out or stay tuned in. The NFL Draft is the biggest event on the football calendar outside of the Super Bowl. Every team and its fanbase get excited, and the results lead to new hope being eternal for every fanbase.

We will be doing draft reports on the Bucs’ and other teams’ needs in the NFC South. Winning the division seems to be an up-in-the-air calendar event from season to season. This Bucs team is the closest of any to having sustained success, but others are hot on their heels.

We hope you stay tuned to Bucs Wire, where we will keep you informed about everything related to the team and the NFC South.

What will offseason coverage look like for Vikings Wire?

As a Viking fan reading this, you want that team to struggle but it is important to understand their team as much as you do with Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Vikings are having a season that not many expected, especially not here on Vikings Wire. Before the season started, we made a prediction that has proven not to be close to right, and we own that. What we want to do, though, is offer complete coverage for the Vikings and the entire NFC North.

As a Vikings fan reading this, I know you want NFC North teams to struggle, but it is important to understand those teams as much as you do with Minnesota. That means our coverage this offseason is going to be complete.

Let me lay out the talking points and things to look for as we get into December and beyond with this special Vikings team.

Coaching Staff Coverage

Kevin O’Connell isn’t going anywhere, the whole world knows that, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores has earned another chance to be a head coach. Not to be forgotten, look for Wes Phillips to get interviews potentially for the work the offense is doing.

We will cover all those potential interviews, letting you know where they could go if they get a chance. We will also make sure you know everything you need to about any replacements or new additions the coaching staff may have.

Free Agent Coverage

The Vikings have many players who will be free agents in the offseason. The biggest names include Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Aaron Jones, Sam Darnold, and Camryn Bynum. In all, they have 35 pending free agents, which means this roster could look very different in 2025.

The team only has five draft picks at this point, so free agency should be exciting for them. They are riding a hot hand in that department after finding Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman last cycle, so look for them to be active once again.

NFL Draft Coverage

Now, for this part, some people may check out or stay tuned in. The NFL Draft is the biggest event on the football calendar outside of the Super Bowl. Every team and its fanbase get excited, and the results lead to new hope being eternal for every fanbase.

We will be doing draft reports on the Vikings’ and other teams’ needs in the NFC North. Winning the division has never been a bigger mountain to climb, so keeping tabs on everyone is crucial.

We hope you stay tuned to Vikings Wire, where we will keep you informed about everything related to the team and the NFC North.

Three Vikings make ESPN’s top 100 players for 2024 list

ESPN released their top 100 players for 2024, and three Minnesota Vikings make the list, with Justin Jefferson leading the way at 3.

The NFL’s preseason is over, and the regular season is finally approaching. Less than two weeks before the season kicks off, media outlets are getting one last push of content in anticipation of the season. That includes ESPN unveiling their picks for the top 100 players of 2024.

To create their list, ESPN surveyed dozens of in-house NFL experts to obtain their opinions on players for the upcoming season. The criteria were solely focused on projecting the coming season, disregarding past performance.

The Minnesota Vikings have three players on the list for this season. The first player on the list is offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, who comes in at number 97 for ESPN. In their justification, they point out that Darrisaw’s movement skills are one of his best features as a lineman. He can block in space on screens and quick passes.

His “signature stat” was his run block win rate of 77%, which is the highest on the team. Their only question about Darrisaw—and likely why he isn’t significantly higher on this list—is his injury history. Still, they believe that Darrisaw will be selected for a Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro selection shortly.

Speaking of injuries, the next Viking on the list is tight end T.J. Hockenson, who comes in at number 79. However, Hockenson is likely to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and miss the beginning portion of the season.

Despite that, when Hockenson returns, he will likely be a major part of the Vikings’ offense. His “signature stat” is that he is one of only three tight ends to have 50 or more receptions and 500 or more receiving yards in each of the past four seasons, joining Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce and Houston Texans’ Dalton Schultz.

Unsurprisingly, the final Vikings player on ESPN’s Top 100 for 2024 is Justin Jefferson. Jefferson kicks off the top 3 for ESPN’s projection, coming in behind only quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, making Jefferson the highest-rated non-quarterback on the list. Which goes along well with his new contract that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

Despite playing only 10 games in 2023 due to a lingering hamstring injury, Jefferson still turned in his fourth-straight season over 1,000 yards, despite the quarterback carousel the Vikings experienced after Kirk Cousins’s injury. Jefferson proved last season that it doesn’t matter who throws him the ball; he’s going to produce.

He will have to prove that again this season, as the Vikings are slated to have Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback, who has famously struggled so far in his career. If Darnold struggles again this season, it could be a repeat at the position for Minnesota.

Jefferson’s “signature stat” is his average of nearly 100 yards (98.3) per game over his four seasons, which is the highest mark in NFL history for players with at least 50 career games.

Vikings don’t budge in latest power rankings by ESPN

The Vikings remain the same in the latest power rankings.

Prior the training camp and the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings were ranked 23rd in ESPN’s power rankings. Fast forward to J.J. McCarthy’s injury, the signing of Stephon Gilmore, and the Vikings going 2-0 in the preseason — Minnesota still slots in at No. 23 in the latest power rankings.

It’s not too surprising that the quarterback situation is a huge question mark. With McCarthy’s season over, Sam Darnold will enter Week 1 as the unquestioned starter. The Vikings’ defense hasn’t looked overly sharp this preseason, especially the secondary. But with Minnesota bringing in Gilmore, a former Pro Bowl corner, the Vikings should be better on the back end.

Minnesota will have to prove that it can be competitive and win games in close situations. Turnovers killed Minnesota last season — before the injury bug hit the Vikings’ locker room. Minnesota has the weapons around Darnold to make the Vikings’ offense good.

But will Darnold’s time to shine come out? Will the Vikings get enough stops on defense? Those are the two big questions surrounding the Vikings.

Vikings place J.J. McCarthy on IR, sign former third-round pick

The Minnesota Vikings placed J.J. McCarthy on the Injured Reserve list and signed a former third-round pick.

The Minnesota Vikings officially placed rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy on the Injured Reserve, ending his season after one preseason game. The former 10th overall pick will get his next shot in 2025 after rehabbing a torn meniscus in his knee.

With McCarthy’s injury, the Vikings also announced they signed former third-round pick Matt Corral. The Carolina Panthers drafted Corral in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he never saw any NFL action. He spent time with the New England Patriots in 2023.

Most recently, Corral played for the UFL’s 2024 Champion Birmingham Stallions, going 3-0 in his starts and completing 36 of 62 passes for 494 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

With McCarthy being injured, Sam Darnold is the unquestioned starter entering Week 1 against the New York Giants. Nick Mullens figures to back him up, with both Jaren Hall and Matt Corral vying for a roster spot.

Two key Vikings land just outside of the NFL top 100 list

Two Vikings who will be key cogs in the offense barely missed the top 100 rankings.

NFL players vote on the top 100 players entering the season every year. Day by day the NFL keeps releasing 10 players a day to countdown the No. 1 player in the league.

While the player rankings are still being released, we now know who just missed the cut for being in the top 100. Two key Minnesota Vikings were on the list.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson came in at No. 106, and former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was ranked No. 103. Hockenson, who is still healing from last season’s injury, will be a vital piece of the Vikings’ offense in 2024. While weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will see the lion’s share of the targets, Hockenson is a reliable safety blanket for whoever starts at quarterback.

The Vikings struggled running the football last season after they let Dalvin Cook walk. Minnesota hoped Alexander Mattison would be the lead back, but he struggled turning it over and rushing efficiently. Minnesota turns its attention to Jones, a long-time Packer. Jones, who has battled injuries, is typically viewed as a top-10 running back when healthy. The Vikings hope to bolster their rushing attack with Jones in the fold.