Category: Offseason

Kevin O’Connell sheds light on Sam Darnold situation after NFL Honors

Kevin O’Connell shared his thoughts on Sam Darnold’s future after winning Coach Of the Year.

Kevin O’Connell won the NFL’s Coach Of the Year award on Thursday. The win was unsurprising, as O’Connell and the Vikings exceeded preseason expectations by going 14-3.

The preseason projections were low because the Vikings had to replace Kirk Cousins and start either rookie J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold.

Although McCarthy missed the season with a meniscus tear, Darnold had the best season of his professional career. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl. However, he was only signed for one season, leading to questions about whether he will return to Minnesota or sign elsewhere.

After winning the Coach Of the Year award, O’Connell clarified earlier comments that speculated about Darnold’s future. The Vikings coach spoke with the local media and gave the following statement:

Look, you guys know how I feel about Sam. He is a guy that we identified last year as somebody who could come in and be successful. And really, no matter where he was at before he arrived in his quarterback journey, it was about maximizing our time together. And I think we did that and I think it was a very special year for Sam. And what that earned him is, everybody in our league now thinks he’s a bona fide legitimate starting quarterback in our league and can win a lot of football games. He won 14 of them. So he’s earned the right to be a free agent, but we will continue to have ongoing dialogue and discussions with him and his representation as well as being really excited about J.J. McCarthy and where he’s at in his rehab. He’s really hit the ground running as the true offseason has begun.

I’ve talked about it all season long, about the depth of that quarterback room this year. But now, we’ve got to see what that room is going to look like as we try to put together the best possible team for 2025. That’s really what the answer should have been, and probably it was closer to that, but that doesn’t take away from my feelings for Sam Darnold or what I believe he accomplished this year and how proud I was to be right alongside with him.

Thankfully, free agency starts next month, and we can finally get a resolution on the Darnold debate. If O’Connell’s quote tells us anything, Darnold will be playing elsewhere in 2025.

Bucs could fix their secondary problems with one trade this offseason

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com shared some news this week that Bucs fans may want to hear. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled with their pass coverage in recent years. The secondary has had investments made to it with an extension of Antoine Winfield Jr. and selections like Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith.

Despite that investment, they have still struggled to find success. However, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com shared some news this week that Bucs fans may want to hear. 

The Browns drafted Denzel Ward in 2018 with the fourth pick in the draft. Since that time, Ward has been selected to four Pro Bowls and emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Mary Kay Cabot’s report, though, indicates that if the Browns trade Myles Garrett, Ward may also want to be gone.

If the Bucs cannot get Myles Garrett to come to Tampa Bay, they need to pursue Ward. Either player would immediately help the Bucs defense, specifically their pass defense.

They proved to be a liability all year and, in the end, cost them a decent playoff run.

The 33rd Team lists four team needs for the Vikings

Vikings enter the 2025 offseason with key roster needs and $57M in cap space—can they shore up weaknesses for a deeper playoff run?

The offseason will officially begin on Monday, when the Super Bowl confetti will be removed from the field at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome. Most coaching vacancies and interviews have been resolved, so teams can move on from this process and uncertainty.

Although the Minnesota Vikings went 14-3 in 2024, they still need to fill roster holes. Twenty-five players are set to hit free agency, and so far, players from the 2023 and 2024 drafts who were not named Jordan Addison still need to prove their worth.

The 33rd Team listed four position needs for every team, and the Vikings have several familiar spots popping up again this offseason. The positions are:

  • Cornerback
  • Defensive tackle (or interior defensive line, as the Vikings play a 3-4 defense)
  • Safety
  • Interior offensive line

They explained the needs:

What the Minnesota Vikings continue to do without stars at key defensive positions is a testament to Brian Flores’ abilities. The change from reliable but limited veterans to more explosive young players is risky and not something most coaches enjoy, but it is necessary for the Vikings to hit their peak with this staff.

The offense can be an afterthought in comparison, but upgrades at left guard and center would benefit whoever is under center next year.

Most fans and analysts would agree with these spots. Josh Metellus is the only starter set to return in the secondary right now. The interior offensive line has been a mess over the past decade. And although the interior defensive line was effective in shutting down the running game, the Vikings need a consistent pass-rushing presence from the inside.

Fortunately, the Vikings have almost $57 million in “effective cap space” entering the 2025 offseason to address these needs. If they can enter the draft only needing to address one of these spots, the 2025 season could improve the 2024 season.

Could the Vikings use Sam Darnold to acquire an All-Pro defensive player?

During Super Bowl media week, the Cleveland Browns are on the receiving end of bad news but good news for 31 other teams. 

The NFL offseason sometimes gives fans and the media busier news days than they could have expected at any other time. One way that happens is when a star player either requests a trade or is traded entirely.

During Super Bowl media week, the Cleveland Browns received bad news, but 31 other teams received good news.

It all started when Myles Garrett publicly announced that he would be seeking a trade away from the team. He cited the team’s current stage of development and said he did not want to be a part of another rebuild. If the team does indeed decide to trade him, another top defensive player may be on the outs as well following in his footsteps.

It was reported late Wednesday night by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that if the team trades Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward would possibly follow him by requesting a trade.

This is where the Vikings come into play for these defensive players, they have one major bargaining chip the team could use, a quarterback.

Do not worry, I am not talking about J.J. McCarthy, I am talking about Sam Darnold. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has ties to the Browns, so that communication channel can be used easily. Not saying a one-for-one trade is that easy for Darnold for Garrett or Ward, but it would be a great starting point.

For Denzel Ward especially, he is a young cornerback who could be acquired for a much smaller price than Garrett. He has an injury history that is troublesome, but sending Darnold for him sure beats losing Darnold for nothing in free agency.

NFL Analyst suggest Bucs add All-Pro edge rusher this offseason

One way to fix this issue is to address it in free agency, The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher has a name in mind for them.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a rough season in terms of staying healthy and defending the pass. One aspect was the coverage ability of their healthy secondary players, which left much to be desired. Another angle is that the pass rush lacked any consistency.

One way to fix this issue is to address it in free agency, The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher has a name in mind for them.

Mosher likes the idea of the Bucs going after former All-Pro edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. The Dallas Cowboys free agent isn’t likely to be back with his old team, and coming off an injury season, he could be a valuable addition to the Bucs.

He writes, “DeMarcus Lawrence has been one of the NFL’s top EDGE rushers when it comes to defending the run, but an early-season foot injury ended his 2024 season. Lawrence does have a history of injuries, and that will lower his price tag, but he is still a high-end NFL starter when healthy and would be a massive addition to Todd Bowles’ defense.”

Adding Lawrence to a group of young pass rushers for the Bucs could be exactly what they need to have them take the next step.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy shares the news every fan wants to hear

In 2025, the Vikings and their fans want to see J.J. McCarthy, and on Tuesday he shared news everyone wanted to hear. 

J.J. McCarthy did not have the rookie season that he or anyone had expected. The team was expected to transition him into the starting role mid-season after Sam Darnold got the season off the ground. Instead, McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury after his lone preseason game in August, and Darnold went on to have an MVP-caliber season.

The Vikings and their fans want to see J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and on Tuesday, he shared the news everyone wanted to hear.

During Super Bowl media days, J.J. McCarthy made virtual appearances, one of which was with Sports Illustrated. During his media spot, the former Michigan Wolverine shared that he is “ahead of schedule” and that he is excited to participate in the OTAs.

He is counting down the days to the organized team activities, saying, “I will be ready in 67 days.”

McCarthy is expected to start for the Vikings in 2025, as the team looks to build on its successful 2024 season. While replicating 14 wins is no easy task, the team is returning many key players and its entire staff from that season.

Both of those are good news for the quarterback the Vikings have invested so much in.

Bucs GM Jason Licht should be all-in on trading for Browns’ Myles Garrett

On Monday, a pass-rushing ace seemingly became available when Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett publicly requested a trade. 

Bucs Wire has been pretty vocal this offseason in that the team has to address the edge rusher position. They must find someone who can consistently create pressure and produce 10 to 15 sacks within a season. The team has tried their hand at finding some through the NFL Draft, and while they have built up a strong rotation, they haven’t found the ace of the squad.

On Monday, a pass-rushing ace became available when Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett publicly requested a trade.

While a handful of teams have been tied to the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the Bucs have somehow avoided any connection. With that in mind, we want to fix that because the Bucs should be all in on acquiring the All-Pro pass-rusher.

Garrett has secured 14 or more sacks in four straight seasons, all while totaling a whopping 102.5 sacks in his career. The cherry on top of his dominance is Garrett just turned 29 this past December, meaning whoever acquires him will get someone with plenty of gas left.

Since Khalil Mack was traded from the Raiders to the Bears, there has not been a dominant pass rusher of his caliber on the market. In 2018, the Bears had to cough up a first—and sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a first—and third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

For the Bucs, who have spent those types of picks and more on finding a dominant pass rusher, why not spend them on a sure thing?

This Bucs team has the offense to compete with anyone in the NFL. The defense was hurt in 2024 but has key pieces to be able to make plays. Adding Myles Garrett not only helps the pass rush but also helps the hurting secondary, as they would not be required to provide pass coverage for as long as they have in the past.

Young corners like Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith have shown promise, adding Garrett furthers their development in the best way. For every aspect of this team that Jason Licht has built, they are potentially one piece away from contending for a Super Bowl again.

Be aggressive, get Myles Garrett, and be ready to hoist a Lombardi Trophy again.

PFF makes an interesting choice for the Vikings priority free agent

The latest offseason talking point comes from PFF and their suggestion of which Vikings player the team cannot afford to lose. 

The offseason is usually when everyone wears their NFL general manager hat and does what they think is best for the teams. It could be trade ideas, free-agent signings, or mock drafts. Through all the chaos, every opinion presents a new line of thinking that is worth discussing to see if it fits into things.

The latest offseason talking point comes from PFF and their suggestion of which Vikings player the team cannot afford to lose.

PFF made an unusual pick for who they see as the Vikings priority free-agent target. They did not go with Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., or Camryn Bynum, instead they went in another direction. They chose guard Dalton Risner as who the team cannot afford to lose.

They write as their argument, “Risner made nine starts for the Vikings this season and earned a career-high 76.1 PFF pass-blocking grade. Interior protection has long been a problem for Minnesota, but Risner is an affordable option who has been around for two seasons already. . .”

While he may have a high PFF grade, anyone who watched the Vikings this year knows the interior offensive line left a lot to be desired. There is a reason we here at Vikings Wire have been mocking them guards as early as pick 24.

If they want to bring back Risner, sure. Should Risner be seen as a priority? Absolutely not, especially considering who else needs to be re-signed.

Harrison Phillips goes back to his roots with unique offseason training

Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips spent a day with Gable Steveson and the Minnesota Gophers wrestling team for practice last week.

The offseason has just begun for 30 teams. Some players take time off from workouts, while others are getting creative in their training. Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips returned to his roots, joining Minnesota Gophers star wrestler Gable Steveson for practice last week.

Phillips was a three-time Class A state wrestling champion at Millard West High in Omaha, NE. There, he wrestled at 215 pounds. He’s now listed at 307 pounds on the Vikings’ website.

The Gophers shared highlights of Phillips’ day at practice, finishing the video with a clip of him and Steveson wrestling on the mat. Steveson got the better end of Phillips, finishing with a pin.

It was a remarkable moment that showed Phillips’ involvement with the community. No one would fault him if he went home or trained in a warmer climate and didn’t return to Minnesota until OTAs begin in the spring. That he was in town, at a college he didn’t even attend, to brush up on his skills of a sport he used to play shows how invested Phillips is with Minnesota.

 

Bleacher Report suggests Vikings blockbuster trade this offseason

Bleacher Report pitches a big trade for the Vikings this offseason that would land them help in the secondary.

Although the Minnesota Vikings finished 14-3 in 2024, they enter the 2025 offseason with roster needs. Josh Metellus is the only secondary player under contract in 2025, meaning the Vikings will have to address cornerback and safety through free agency and, likely, the draft.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report suggested that the Vikings aggressively address the secondary. He wrote about six trade ideas for the upcoming offseason, including the Vikings trading for Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward.

The trade would have the Vikings give the Browns the 24th overall pick in this year’s draft. Minnesota would receive Ward and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Davenport explained the trade:

Ward has long been one of the NFL’s better players at a premium position. He’s headed to his fourth Pro Bowl and is in the prime of the career. But if Minnesota offers the 24th overall pick for Ward, Cleveland should pull the trigger.

It would be a truly “all-in” move for the Vikings, who are already short on draft picks this year. But with $57.9 million in cap space, the Vikings could make this splash trade and still have enough money to bring back Sam Darnold.

The Browns will likely be sellers this offseason, with star Myles Garrett stating on Monday that he wants to be traded. Cleveland is trying to get out of the Deshaun Watson mess, so getting rid of players for draft capital makes sense.

This trade doesn’t make much sense for the Vikings, though. Minnesota currently has three selections in the draft. Even if they were to get an additional compensatory pick, would Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wish to send away a first-round pick for a cornerback who will be 28 when the season starts? The financial aspect and more limited period for him to be a high-level option isn’t as appealing as a potential 21- or 22-year-old rookie on a smaller contract.

Ward’s ability is undeniable, though. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, and Adofo-Mensah was somewhat familiar with him during his two-year stint in Cleveland from 2020 to 21.

But does that mean Adofo-Mensah pulls the trigger to bring Ward in while trading away a premium draft pick? It doesn’t feel like a move that aligns with what the regime has done up to this point.