Tag: Oli Udoh

74 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 74

We take a look at everyone to wear the No. 74 for the Vikings as we countdown towards the start of the regular season.

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 74 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

Backup offensive tackle Oli Udoh currently wears the No. 74 for the Vikings, but the number will be fondly remembered for offensive tackle Bryan McKinnie, who played close to a decade with it.

With 74 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 74 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

Vikings lineman cited for going 42 mph over speed limit

The Vikings offensive lineman was cited for three moving violations in May, including going 42 mph over the speed limit.

According to Minneapolis’ ABC affiliate KSTP, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh was caught going 97 mph in a 55 mph zone on May 4 while also being cited two other times for moving violations during the month.

According to the report, Udoh was cited twice for speeding. In the other incident, he was going 64 mph in a 55 mph zone. He also was cited for reckless driving on May 6 in St. Paul, just two days after getting caught driving 97 mph.

According to the report from KSTP, they have reached out to the Vikings and are awaiting comment. Not a great look for Udoh.

Vikings use unusual contract exemption for OL Olisaemeka Udoh

The Minnesota Vikings have used a unique contract exemption to keep offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh.

The Minnesota Vikings are leaving no stone unturned to stay under the salary cap. With the re-signing of offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh to a one-year deal, they are employing a rarely used exemption that will lower his cap number for 2023.

This type of deal, known as four-year qualifying contract, is a way to reward teams for developing players. To be eligible, a player must have been on a 90-man roster with a single team for four or more years. It is essentially a qualifying offer like those used with restricted free agents or exclusive rights free agents.

The contract allows the Vikings to pay Udoh a base salary of $2.43 million with only $1.08 million counting against the salary cap. Add in his signing bonus and Udoh will count only $1,232,500 this season against the cap.

Udoh’s situation is very similar to what the Vikings did with offensive tackle Rashod Hill for a couple of years. Udoh is a versatile player who can do a lot for the Vikings, which is what they need from their sixth offensive lineman.

Grading the Vikings free agency moves after the first week

The Minnesota Vikings have made multiple signings since the beginning of free agency. @TheRealForno graded each signing the Vikings made.

We are eight days into the free agency period and the Minnesota Vikings have been plenty busy in both acquiring and retaining talent.

Despite entering the offseason nearly $24 million over the salary cap, the Vikings made multiple moves by releasing stalwart players like Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks. The corresponding moves that they made will help determine where the Vikings go moving forward.

After the first eight days, the Vikings have made multiple moves. Here is how I have graded each of those moves.

Minnesota Vikings agree to terms with OL Olisaemeka Udoh

The Minnesota #Vikings announced they agreed to terms with Olisaemeka Udoh on a new deal on Saturday

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh will be returning to the team for the 2023 NFL season. Udoh was a sixth-round draft pick for the Vikings in 2019 and has been a solid depth piece for the team.

While the starting positions on the offensive line are already solidified, Udoh’s return is a testament to Minnesota’s commitment to developing young talent. With his massive six-foot-six frame and excellent footwork, Udoh is a great depth piece for the Vikings’ offensive line.

By giving players like Udoh the opportunity to grow and improve, the team is building a strong foundation for future success.

Overall, the return of Udoh is a solid move for Minnesota. The move also signals a commitment by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to undertake a competitive rebuild as he continues to address depth pieces and starters in free agency

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Oli Udoh has played well at right tackle

In limited reps, Udoh has performed well at right tackle

Going into the Wild Card matchup against the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings will have to start a backup at right tackle for Brian O’Neill.

Leading into Sunday, Oli Udoh was expected to be that guy. It will likely be Blake Brandel, who the Vikings activated from injured reserve on Saturday afternoon. Even so, don’t be surprised if head coach Kevin O’Connell decides to rotates them out.

If Udoh does get extensive play, there is reason to believe he can play well on the outside.

In limited reps, Udoh has only allowed four total pressures on 154 pass-blocking snaps. That is an efficiency rate of 97.4%

It’s never an ideal scenario to have your backup tackle start a playoff game, but the Vikings will be in good hands with Udoh.

Behind Enemy Lines: Wild Card Q&A with Vikings Wire

With a Wild Card matchup between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Vikings Wire.

The New York Giants (9-7-1) and Minnesota Vikings (13-4) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Wild Card Playoff matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Giants opened the week as 3-point road underdogs and that’s where the spread remains as of this writing.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Vikings Wire managing editor Tyler Forness.

6 Vikings players that are key to a victory vs. Giants

These players are essential for a Vikings wild card victory

The Minnesota Vikings are set to host the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon and it should be a tremendous atmosphere for a fanbase that hasn’t hosted a playoff game since the Minneapolis Miracle.

In order for the Vikings to advance to their first divisional round since 2019, they will need to beat a Giants team that they narrowly beat on Christmas Eve with a 27-24 victory.

For the Vikings to get that done, the will need some great performances from their key players. Here are six players that need to have a great performance for the Vikings to win on Sunday.

Vikings open practice window for OT Blake Brandel

The Vikings are set to get back an important depth piece

The Minnesota Vikings have been hit hard with injuries at the tackle position. Right now, they only have three healthy tackles in Christian Darrisaw, Oli Udoh and rookie Vederian Lowe.

Before Wednesday’s practice, the Vikings activated the practice window of tackle Blake Brandel. He will be eligible to practice for the next 21 days before either being promoted to the active roster or staying on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Brandel tore his MCL against the Detroit Lions after playing well in Darrisaw’s absence. He had his best game against the New England Patriots when he only allowed one pressure but that one was a sack to Josh Uche.

With Brian O’Neill out with a torn Achilles tendon, the addition of Brandel will make a huge difference, especially if Udoh struggles.

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Vikings vs. Bears: 5 players to watch in Week 18

Here are five players to watch for in this week 18 matchup

The Minnesota Vikings are headed to Soldier Field this Sunday to take on the Chicago Bears in the regular season finale. The Vikings have already secured a playoff berth by clinching the NFC North, but with a win over the Bears on Sunday combined with a loss by the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings could move into the second seed in the NFC.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell has yet to say whether or not he’ll treat this game any differently with the playoffs already secured, but the expectation is that starters will play in some capacity. Let’s take a look at some players to watch in this weekend’s matchup.