Daily Norseman - All PostsThe Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2024-03-18T19:51:54-05:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T19:51:54-05:002024-03-18T19:51:54-05:00Minnesota Vikings Free Agency 2024
<figure>
<img alt="Minnesota Vikings v Green Bay Packers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GaY8NP9yKjpWdeIumJ_V280ISd8=/0x0:5400x3600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73181217/1763510405.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>All the moves in one place</p> <p id="EMMiix">It’s going to be an interesting free agency period for the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, and it gets underway on 11 March when the “legal tampering” period begins around the NFL.</p>
<p id="ncQhHp">The Vikings have two big names set to hit free agency in quarterback Kirk Cousins and edge defender Danielle Hunter. There have been any number of rumors about whether the team will keep either or both of them for the 2024 season. We’ll have our answers soon, as well as the answers to whatever other questions the Vikings try to solve in free agency this offseason.</p>
<p id="5DuNUh">We’re going to do our best to track all of the moves that the Vikings make in free agency this offseason and keep them here in one place for you. Hopefully, this section will be filled with more good news than bad.</p>
<p id="LGsy0o">Here are all of the Vikings’ pending free agents, and below that, we’ll be tracking any rumors and signings of new players that the Vikings have once the signing period starts on 13 March.</p>
<h4 id="VSAS4B">Unrestricted Free Agents</h4>
<ul>
<li id="jmCnzI">OL Hakeem Adeniji (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24099082/minnesota-vikings-hakeem-adeniji-signing-with-cleveland-browns">signing with Cleveland Browns</a>)</li>
<li id="M6Z1cR">LB Anthony Barr</li>
<li id="zuyGqU">DL Jonathan Bullard (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/13/24100095/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-dl-jonathan-bullard">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="udEmr7">QB Kirk Cousins (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097503/kirk-cousins-signing-with-the-atlanta-falcons">signing with Atlanta Falcons</a>)</li>
<li id="aoRcTs">Edge Marcus Davenport (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097893/marcus-davenport-to-steal-money-detroit-lions-2024-minnesota-vikings">signing with Detroit Lions</a>)</li>
<li id="8t1uJA">DL Sheldon Day</li>
<li id="UnkKaP">QB Joshua Dobbs (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105332/joshua-dobbs-sign-san-francisco-49ers-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency-passtronaut">signing with San Francisco 49ers</a>)</li>
<li id="xV9SCL">LB Troy Dye (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/15/24102103/troy-dye-to-sign-los-angeles-chargers-los-angeles-chargers-nfl-free-agency">signing with Los Angeles Chargers</a>)</li>
<li id="oaswkN">LB Jordan Hicks (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24098060/jordan-hicks-agrees-to-terms-cleveland-browns-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">signing with Cleveland Browns</a>)</li>
<li id="hDIfGu">Edge Danielle Hunter (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24099038/danielle-hunter-to-sign-houston-texans-nfl-free-agency-minnesota-vikings">signing with Houston Texans</a>)</li>
<li id="qJ3FER">K Greg Joseph</li>
<li id="tju7Zr">DL James Lynch</li>
<li id="zoRxAj">TE Johnny Mundt (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/8/24094822/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-te-johnny-mundt">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="cTFK9I">WR K.J. Osborn (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/17/24104266/k-j-osborn-to-sign-new-england-patriots-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">signing with New England Patriots</a>)</li>
<li id="ou7tl8">WR Brandon Powell (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24098956/brandon-powell-re-signing-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="z5I7CC">OL David Quessenberry (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097430/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-ol-blake-brandel-david-quessenberry">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="8dFILh">OL Chris Reed</li>
<li id="qcVkos">OL Dalton Risner</li>
<li id="wq2DL9">C Austin Schlottman (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/15/24102348/austin-schlottmann-to-sign-with-new-york-giants-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">signing with New York Giants</a>)</li>
<li id="MTJaTZ">OL Oli Udoh (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105296/oli-udoh-sign-with-orleans-saints-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">signing with New Orleans Saints</a>)</li>
<li id="t1SkBT">LB Nick Vigil</li>
<li id="vm5pAv">Edge D.J. Wonnum (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/14/24101212/d-j-wonnum-to-sign-carolina-panthers-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">signing with Carolina Panthers</a>)</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="yy2bcT">Restricted Free Agents</h4>
<ul>
<li id="VMqYGT">RB Cam Akers (not tendered, now unrestricted free agent)</li>
<li id="h2KBXv">OL Blake Brandel (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097430/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-ol-blake-brandel-david-quessenberry">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="7QZAtz">DL Khyiris Tonga (not tendered, now unrestricted free agent, signing with <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/15/24102329/khyiris-tonga-to-sign-with-arizona-cardinals-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">Arizona Cardinals</a>)</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="OP4HYE">Exclusive Rights Free Agents</h4>
<ul>
<li id="dH2S9U">S Theo Jackson (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/2/21/24079642/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-theo-jackson">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="TLBMlJ">TE Nick Muse (<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/5/24091724/minnesota-vikings-sign-te-nick-muse">re-signed with Vikings</a>)</li>
<li id="NQuy9t">DL T.J. Smith</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="jv5kuu">Minnesota Vikings Free Agent Signings</h4>
<ul>
<li id="b3FjE8">The Vikings have agreed to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097418/minnesota-vikings-agree-4-year-76-million-deal-edge-jonathan-greenard-houston-texans">four-year, $76 million deal</a> with former <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> edge defender Jonathan Greenard</li>
<li id="cXwp3c">The Vikings <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097430/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-ol-blake-brandel-david-quessenberry">have re-signed</a> offensive linemen Blake Brandel and David Quessenberry ahead of the official start of free agency</li>
<li id="Vpr329">The Vikings have signed former <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> edge defender Andrew Van Ginkel to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097623/vikings-signing-edge-rusher-andrew-van-ginkel">two-year, $20 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="gu62jf">The Vikings have signed former Houston Texans (and <a href="https://www.thedailygopher.com">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a>) linebacker Blake Cashman to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/11/24097656/vikings-to-sign-lb-blake-cashman">three-year, $25 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="qpBFim">The Vikings have signed former <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> quarterback Sam Darnold to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24098216/vikings-to-sign-qb-sam-darnold">one-year, $10 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="W01Hfh">The Vikings will be signing former <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> running back Aaron Jones to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24098486/vikings-to-sign-rb-aaron-jones">one-year, $7 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="89YGjQ">The Vikings have <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24098505/minnesota-vikings-agree-to-terms-kicker-john-parker-romo">agreed to terms</a> with 2023 All-<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/xfl-football">XFL</a> kicker John Parker Romo.</li>
<li id="WR00JF">The Vikings are bringing back WR Brandon Powell on a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/12/24098956/brandon-powell-re-signing-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">one-year deal</a>.</li>
<li id="rxSh54">The Vikings have agreed to bring back DL Jonathan Bullard on a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/13/24100095/minnesota-vikings-re-sign-dl-jonathan-bullard">one-year, $3.25 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="i886p2">The Vikings have signed former <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> and <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> defensive lineman Jerry Tillery to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/14/24101001/minnesota-vikings-to-sign-dt-jerry-tillery">one-year, $3.75 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="Zcpabj">The Vikings will be signing former <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Trent Sherfield to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/14/24101296/minnesota-vikings-to-sign-former-buffalo-bills-miami-dolphins-wr-trent-sherfield">one-year, $1.79 million deal</a>.</li>
<li id="MQWiYl">The Vikings have agreed to the terms of a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/15/24102498/minnesota-vikings-one-year-deal-with-ol-dan-feeney-nfl-free-agency">one-year deal</a> with former <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> (among others) offensive lineman Dan Feeney.</li>
<li id="AbezRM">The Vikings have agreed to a <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105421/minnesota-vikings-agree-one-year-deal-jonah-williams-los-angeles-rams-nfl-free-agency">one-year, $1.5 million deal</a> with former <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> defensive lineman Jonah Williams.</li>
</ul>
<p id="AYTexW"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em><strong>sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/4/24090207/minnesota-vikings-free-agency-2024-nfl-free-agency-kirk-cousins-danielle-hunterChristopher GatesEric Thompson2024-03-18T19:49:04-05:002024-03-18T19:49:04-05:00Vikings agree to one-year deal with DL Jonah Williams
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J3HT8nNuBqNCw04bxdPoSHGXsxg=/0x0:4800x3200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216729/1917929022.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Some more depth on the defensive front for the Vikings</p> <p id="HiSAoY">Defensive lineman Jonah Williams has been a member of the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> before. By this time tomorrow, he’ll have already exceeded the time he spent in purple the last time he was here.</p>
<p id="zwyH3g">Numerous sources are reporting that the Vikings and Williams have agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. The deal won’t have any effect on the Vikings’ potential Compensatory picks, which is something we <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105215/dont-be-surprised-minnesota-vikings-slow-down-nfl-free-agency">touched on briefly</a> earlier today.</p>
<p id="81e6lc">Williams was signed by the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> as an undrafted free agent out of Weber State following the 2020 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. He spent all of 2020 on their practice squad, and made the big roster the following season. He played in eight games for the Rams in that 2021 season before he was waived.</p>
<p id="1nxWiV">That was when the Vikings claimed him off of waivers, but upon arriving and meeting with team doctors he failed his physical, causing the team to put him back on waivers after just one day. He then signed back with the Rams’ practice squad and was there for their <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> victory that season.</p>
<p id="yZplKJ">Over the last two seasons, the 6’5”, 275-pound Williams has appeared in 33 out of 34 possible games for the Rams, including starting 16 games for them this past season. He finished the 2023 season with two sacks, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and 49 combined tackles.</p>
<p id="UQreSp">Williams should have every opportunity to make the team this summer and could, at the very least, provide some decent depth for a team that had its issues on the defensive line for most of last season.</p>
<p id="2xA6so">Welcome to Minnesota, Jonah Williams!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105421/minnesota-vikings-agree-one-year-deal-jonah-williams-los-angeles-rams-nfl-free-agencyChristopher Gates2024-03-18T17:40:35-05:002024-03-18T17:40:35-05:00Joshua Dobbs to sign with San Francisco 49ers
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: NOV 12 Saints at Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DNGXiWNsVU-Mn11s-D2yUxRNy6o=/0x0:3300x2200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216577/1779056912.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Passtronaut is heading for the West Coast</p> <p id="Uh6GhT">The man that led the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> to one of their most improbable wins in recent memory is taking his talents to the West Coast.</p>
<div id="3i9iOy">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_dobbs1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@josh_dobbs1</a> agreeing to a 1 year deal with the <a href="https://twitter.com/49ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@49ers</a></p>— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeMcCartney7/status/1769854014382891119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="YpuZy2">Mike McCartney, who I believe serves as Josh Dobbs’ agent, is reporting that Dobbs is signing a one-year deal with the defending NFC Champions, the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
<p id="18Zv9B">The Vikings traded for Dobbs at the NFL trade deadline this past year following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Kirk Cousins. Dobbs then had to jump into the fire in place of Jaren Hall, who suffered a concussion in the first quarter of his first NFL start against the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> and led the Vikings to a 31-28 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, finding Brandon Powell with less than 30 seconds left to seal the victory.</p>
<p id="GfcP4M">Dobbs then led the team to a win the next week at U.S. Bank Stadium against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>, but things unraveled quickly from there. Dobbs struggled in the team’s next two games, including a four-interception performance in a 12-10 loss to Chicago on Monday Night Football. The week after that, Dobbs was benched for Nick Mullens late in the game against the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> and did not see any more action the rest of the way.</p>
<p id="bIhxoZ">The Josh Dobbs era in Minnesota was fun for a little while, but now the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2023/11/6/23949592/joshua-dobbs-best-nickname-nfl-minnesota-vikings-passtronaut-nasa">Passtronaut</a> is moving on to another team. Best of luck to him going forward, unless he has to line up against the Vikings.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105332/joshua-dobbs-sign-san-francisco-49ers-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency-passtronautChristopher Gates2024-03-18T17:04:30-05:002024-03-18T17:04:30-05:00Oli Udoh to sign with New Orleans Saints
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams v Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A8neKqHsIwPSzSbvVCc3Q4Bjy3I=/0x0:4707x3138/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216544/1361103143.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Berding/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another departure for the purple</p> <p id="BgT2Po">The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> are saying farewell to another free agent, one that missed almost all of last season.</p>
<p id="odHbxI">Per numerous sources, offensive lineman Oli Udoh is signing with the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. Terms of the deal were not immediately made available.</p>
<p id="rQ8Qpf">Udoh was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2019 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> out of Elon University. He was inactive for almost every game his rookie season, save for the regular season finale that saw the Vikings rest a lot of their starters. He got a bit more playing time in 2020, and in 2021 started 16 of the Vikings’ 17 games at the right guard spot.</p>
<p id="11nSE1">He went back to a reserve role in 2022 and appeared in just two games in 2023 before suffering a nasty quad injury in the team’s Week 2 loss to the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>. The team placed him on injured reserve and he was not brought back during the season.</p>
<p id="8SojlX">Udoh saw some time at pretty much every spot on the offensive line except center during his time in Minnesota. There wasn’t any indication that the team was interested in bringing him back but he might have been someone decent to have as depth up front. Now, he’ll be plying his trade in the Big Easy.</p>
<p id="eHNF8W">Best of luck to Oli Udoh going forward, except. . .as always. . .for when he lines up against the Vikings.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105296/oli-udoh-sign-with-orleans-saints-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agencyChristopher Gates2024-03-18T16:52:23-05:002024-03-18T16:52:23-05:00Alexander Mattison to sign with Las Vegas Raiders
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EL7P8FRJkxh00iQ4uZCfj0_JnII=/0x0:6096x4064/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216519/usa_today_21606246.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Last year’s top back is off to the desert</p> <p id="AzcKHG">The man that started last season atop the depth chart at running back for the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> will get an opportunity for a fresh start out in the desert.</p>
<div id="L0UqU7">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Free agent RB Alexander Mattison is signing with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a>, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BleacherReport</a>.<br><br>Still just 25 years old, Mattison had 17 TDs in five seasons with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a>. <a href="https://t.co/EZ4Tq9Q5aR">pic.twitter.com/EZ4Tq9Q5aR</a></p>— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1769841002058051603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="QTKl89">Jordan Schultz is reporting that running back Alexander Mattison is signing with the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>. Terms of the deal were not immediately made available.</p>
<p id="wLUQSw">The Vikings selected Mattison with the last pick of the third round of the 2019 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. He spent his first four seasons in purple as the primary backup to Dalvin Cook, and finally got his opportunity to be the lead back after signing a two-year deal last offseason. Unfortunately, things didn’t go the way the Vikings and Mattison had hoped and the team released him ahead of the start of the new league year.</p>
<p id="Iy71hN">Mattison led the Vikings in rushing last season with 700 yards but did not find the end zone on the ground, though he did have three touchdown receptions on the year.</p>
<p id="ylj37x">The Raiders have a hole at the running back position after losing Josh Jacobs in free agency, and now Mattison will be asked to replace him, at least in part. The Raiders will likely look to supplement the position further in the 2024 NFL Draft.</p>
<p id="zlMTGw">Best of luck to Alexander Mattison as he makes his way to Vegas. . .except, of course, for when he lines up against the Vikings.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105286/alexander-mattison-sign-las-vegas-raiders-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agencyChristopher Gates2024-03-18T15:59:13-05:002024-03-18T15:59:13-05:00Don’t be surprised if the Vikings slow down a bit in free agency
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vWMOr7mharERBPaSYwoI4wVMR94=/0x0:7104x4736/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216377/usa_today_22636510.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>They might already be looking towards 2025</p> <p id="EAZK3a">The first full week of NFL free agency was an exciting one for the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. Certainly more exciting than some of us, myself included, thought it was going to be. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see things start to slow down a bit as we start winding towards the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p id="wEdeKa">Why? Well, because the Vikings might already be looking forward to the <em>2025</em> NFL Draft, at least in part.</p>
<p id="ZH8ddN">As we’ve pointed out over the course of various offseasons, Nick Korte from Over the Cap does a tracker every offseason concerning which teams are looking at potential Compensatory selections in the next year’s NFL Draft. The Comp picks for 2024 have already been distributed, so now he’s got his focus on 2025.</p>
<p id="CFCQa5"><a href="https://overthecap.com/compensatory-picks">According to Korte’s calculations</a>, the Vikings are currently in line for a pair of third-round Compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, allotted for the departures of quarterback Kirk Cousins and edge defender Danielle Hunter.</p>
<p id="xNUZyu">The Vikings have seen six qualifying free agents depart so far in free agency this offseason:</p>
<ul>
<li id="YGyqi7">Cousins</li>
<li id="cyoGWW">Hunter</li>
<li id="WRUOOk">D.J. Wonnum</li>
<li id="ipeQC7">Marcus Davenport</li>
<li id="E9sSKm">Jordan Hicks</li>
<li id="qOWTNa">K.J. Osborn</li>
</ul>
<p id="8fe4cG">To balance that out, the team has only signed four qualifying free agents:</p>
<ul>
<li id="GmFFYT">Blake Cashman</li>
<li id="ThejEr">Jonathan Greenard</li>
<li id="DbdDFV">Andrew Van Ginkel</li>
<li id="aFXdc8">Sam Darnold</li>
</ul>
<p id="kKpOZw">Those four signings “cancel out” the bottom four departures from the other list above based on the relative values of the contracts signed. That means that the Vikings, barring anything changing, should receive the highest possible Compensatory selections for Cousins and Hunter because of the size of the deals they’ve signed with their new teams.</p>
<p id="cu7HbS">The Vikings could add even more comp picks to the list should some of their other free agents sign offers elsewhere with enough value to cancel out another departure. That could include offensive lineman Dalton Risner, who remains unsigned. If the Vikings brought Risner back, it would not affect their potential Compensatory picks because teams aren’t “punished,” as it were, for retaining their own free agents.</p>
<p id="W1B3Qz">We also still don’t know the terms of offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann signing with the New York Giants, but it would be a bit of a surprise if he signed a deal large enough to make the list of qualifying free agents.</p>
<p id="IbbSjN">Normally a couple of third-round picks might not be viewed as anything terribly significant. However, the Vikings are <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/15/24101805/minnesota-vikings-acquire-second-first-round-pick-2024-nfl-draft-houston-texans">already without their second-round pick</a> in 2025 thanks to their trade with Houston late last week, and if their ultimate goal is attempting to trade up in this year’s first round to select a quarterback there’s a decent chance they won’t have their 2025 first-rounder, either. If that’s the case, having a couple of extra thirds in reserve would make that sting a little less for the Vikings’ front office.</p>
<p id="Ne7w0V">So, the Vikings might make some smaller signings here and there as free agency continues, but it would be pretty surprising to see any bigger-ticket signings outside of a potential Risner deal. Don’t be surprised if things are pretty quiet at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for the next month or so.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24105215/dont-be-surprised-minnesota-vikings-slow-down-nfl-free-agencyChristopher Gates2024-03-18T12:44:47-05:002024-03-18T12:44:47-05:00The Vikings are on a Quest for the Holy Grail of Professional Football- Now They Must Choose Wisely
<figure>
<img alt="Comic-Con International 2016 - General Atmosphere And Cosplay" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UDmerFqt8G0bdd-jnfrKEeCnIok=/62x0:2591x1686/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215702/584541534.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The right choice will bring life to the franchise, but a poor one will take it away</p> <p id="lsMeRT">Now that the Kirk Cousins drama has played out with Cousins taking the guaranteed money and heading south to Atlanta, the focus moves to the draft and selecting a new franchise quarterback. The Vikings front office and coaching staff have been preparing and doing their due diligence on the past couple quarterback draft classes- and the current one as well. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also issued a statement saying he’d always had layers of contingencies planned at the quarterback position if Cousins chose to sign elsewhere. We are beginning to find out what those are.</p>
<p id="cr6WNW">But as prudent as having layers of contingencies can be in finding a way to get competent play from the quarterback position, at the end of the day either you sign a future Hall of Fame quarterback or you don’t. There is no shortage of first-round quarterbacks who quickly turned to dust, as the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2021 NFL draft</a> has most recently demonstrated. Five quarterbacks were taken in the first 15 picks, including the first three picks, and four of them are now with new teams. Only #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that drafted him, and even he has proven a mid-tier performer rather than the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641874&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2530672%2F2021%2F04%2F21%2F2021-nfl-draft-top-300-big-board-trevor-lawrence-patrick-surtain-ii-trey-lance-the-talent-runs-deep%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynorseman.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24098927%2Fthe-vikings-are-on-a-quest-for-the-holy-grail-of-professional-football-now-they-must-choose-wisely" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">generational talent</a> he was thought to be by many evaluators. </p>
<p id="tMVYls"></p>
<h2 id="lJkBxe">An Elusive Feat</h2>
<p id="noBtrO">And now the Vikings are about to make that rare and fateful decision in choosing the holy grail of professional football: an elite quarterback that makes your team a perennial championship contender. But as the ancient knight in the old Indiana Jones movie so eloquently put it, ‘whereas the true grail will bring you eternal life, a false grail will take it from you.’ </p>
<p id="WNwiJr"></p>
<h4 id="Kf4QYT">A Rare Event in Vikings History</h4>
<p id="dYU4TZ">Over the sixty-three previous drafts in Vikings’ franchise history, the Vikings have drafted a total of 27 quarterbacks. Most of those were in the later rounds. Only five were selected in the first thirty-two picks (Fran Tarkenton was picked 29th but also in the 3rd round back in 1961). So using a first-round draft pick on a quarterback is something the Vikings have rarely done in franchise history- only four times in sixty-three drafts. </p>
<p id="Z3Yaky">The highest the Vikings have ever drafted a quarterback was at #11 in 1999 when they drafted Daunte Culpepper. As it stands now, the Vikings may at least tie that record next month if they stick and pick with their #11 pick. But with the trade for an additional first-round draft pick, they may move up in the draft and select a quarterback with the highest draft pick in franchise history.</p>
<p id="JemjZu"></p>
<h4 id="CiaNRV">No Success So Far</h4>
<p id="nufVhn">And while the Vikings haven’t taken a lot of shots using first-round picks to draft a quarterback, never in franchise history have the Vikings drafted a quarterback that they developed over a few years and helped the team be a perennial <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> contender. After drafting Fran Tarkenton in the third round in 1961, the Vikings were not too good and eventually traded him to the Giants in 1967. It was only after the Vikings traded to get him back in 1972 that they went to three Super Bowls with him at quarterback, the first coming twelve years after he was drafted. </p>
<p id="1g3Uqa">Other quarterbacks the Vikings picked in the first round had mixed but disappointing results. Tommy Kramer was a mid-level quarterback who started four playoff games in his career (appearing in one other), going 2-2. The Vikings made it to the conference championship game in 1987- eight years after Kramer was drafted- with mostly Wade Wilson at quarterback in the playoffs. Daunte Culpepper and Teddy Bridgewater had their careers derailed by injury, although Culpepper made it to the conference championship once as well- the worst performance in his career. Christian Ponder simply didn’t work out. Brad Johnson won a Super Bowl, but not with the Vikings.</p>
<p id="MqBB60">So, what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings front office and coaching staff are attempting to do next month (in all likelihood) is something that has never happened in Vikings franchise history: draft a quarterback that develops quickly and helps the team become a perennial championship contender. </p>
<div id="dhVAwY"><div data-anthem-component="table:12281957"></div></div>
<p id="PvpTJz"></p>
<p id="RGzSkr">The Vikings’ franchise record at drafting quarterbacks is not unlike many other NFL franchises. It’s an elusive feat for a variety of reasons, and even with all the analytics and much more extensive pre-draft process, the success rate hasn’t really improved over the years. According to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, only about 30% of quarterbacks selected in the first round are successful. And that definition of success- getting a second contract by the team that drafted them- is expansive enough to include the Daniel Joneses of the league, which fall well short of developing to make his team a perennial championship contender. </p>
<p id="SegEsM">In fact, if you look back in the Super Bowl era at teams that have drafted quarterbacks and have gone on to be perennial championship contenders for five years or more the list is a short one: </p>
<ul>
<li id="FBSb9l">The Chiefs and <strong>Patrick Mahomes (10)</strong>
</li>
<li id="oUjW6A">The Ravens and <strong>Lamar Jackson (32)</strong>
</li>
<li id="sv8FxI">The Bills and <strong>Josh Allen (7)</strong>
</li>
<li id="I2vRMa">The Patriots and Tom Brady </li>
<li id="LWklYk">The <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> and Russell Wilson</li>
<li id="CVmN3g">The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> and <strong>Ben Roethlisberger (11)</strong>
</li>
<li id="2zBML1">The Colts and <strong>Peyton Manning (1)</strong> </li>
<li id="7Xj6qU">The <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> and <strong>Aaron Rodgers</strong> <strong>(24)</strong>
</li>
<li id="apbzz1">The Bills and <strong>Jim Kelly (14)</strong>
</li>
<li id="QC7R4v">The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> and Joe Montana </li>
<li id="H3aHN9">The Cowboys and <strong>Troy Aikman (1)</strong>
</li>
<li id="rzw5fk">The Raiders and Ken Stabler</li>
<li id="Rqa4s3">The Steelers and <strong>Terry Bradshaw (1)</strong>
</li>
<li id="zXr8vQ">The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> and <strong>Bob Griese (4)</strong>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="t49Kfp">That’s a total of just 14 quarterbacks among the hundreds drafted in nearly sixty years. And a couple of those in the 70s didn’t really carry their team as passing wasn’t as important back then. I didn’t count Roger Staubach and Bart Starr because they were drafted before the Super Bowl era. The Bengals and Joe Burrow have only made the playoffs twice, so they were not included but could be in the future. The Broncos and John Elway were not included because the Colts drafted Elway. Also, the Packers did not draft Brett Favre and the 49ers did not draft Steve Young. There could be a bit of recency bias with Jackson and Allen, but their teams have been among the Super Bowl favorites among oddsmakers, and Jackson has won MVP twice, so that qualifies. </p>
<p id="RJV8VJ"></p>
<h2 id="88Xz4l">Choose Wisely</h2>
<p id="3ezr4y">At the end of the day, real success in drafting a quarterback is best defined in three words: Hall of Fame. All the quarterbacks above are or will most likely be in the Hall of Fame. But only 1% of all draft picks become Hall of Famers. </p>
<p id="5dPQVP">More encouraging for the Vikings is that there have been 126 quarterbacks selected in the first round in the Super Bowl era. Of those, the ten in bold above were first round picks, their pick number in parentheses. So, 8% of all quarterbacks drafted in the first round remained with the team that drafted them and helped turn their team into perennial championship contenders for at least five years. Still, that’s not many. Even among #1 overall picks in the Super Bowl era, only 3 of the 36 quarterbacks drafted #1 overall have led their teams to become perennial championship contenders for at least five years. </p>
<p id="ggNECj">The Vikings have drafted Hall of Fame players at other positions in the first round (Alan Page, Ron Yary, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller, Randy Moss, Randall McDaniel) and Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, and Justin Jefferson may eventually make it there too. Maybe even Christian Darrisaw. That’s not a bad percentage of Hall of Famers from a total of 65 first-round draft picks the Vikings have made in franchise history. If you count the more recent potential Hall of Famers, that gives the Vikings around a 15% hit rate on future Hall of Famers with their first-round draft picks. That’s not bad and shows as a franchise they can produce Hall of Famers from first-round draft picks at a decent rate. In other words, they have chosen wisely in the past. Just not with a quarterback. </p>
<p id="s6eViR"></p>
<h3 id="O2TxgY">What Leads to a Good Choice?</h3>
<p id="j3Zov5">So what leads to that all-important good choice at quarterback? </p>
<h4 id="8AExSa"></h4>
<h4 id="jo6m5O">Timing and Situation</h4>
<p id="jfdYDk">One of the most important factors is timing and the situation he’s thrust into. Having a good team around a young quarterback is a critical factor in his development and team success. That starts with a good offensive line and offensive weapons around him. Good defense helps too. When you look at the list above, nearly all the teams had a good team when the quarterback was drafted or did soon afterward. That includes good coaching. </p>
<p id="PF6ENd">It’s no secret that bad teams usually don’t have a good quarterback, and the worst of those usually have many holes in their roster and coaching and/or front office issues too. These are the teams with the worst records and that are making the first draft picks. And given the importance of the quarterback position, the top quarterbacks in any given draft are likely to be among the top picks in the draft. So, the worst teams often draft the top quarterbacks.</p>
<p id="WhI6Jp">This is why such a high percentage of them don’t work out. The best QB prospects often come from good college teams that contribute to superior stats and performance that often result in them being drafted high. But transitioning to the much more competitive and high-performance environment of the NFL, only now on a bad team, can be a shock that few quarterbacks can survive. And even the best quarterback prospects need development, have weak/unproven aspects of their game, and need to adjust to the faster, more complex, and more competitive league environment. And so, if the coaching isn’t good, if the offensive line is sub-par, if the offensive weapons are weak, and/or if the defense is poor, a young quarterback is likely to struggle no matter how good his traits, football IQ, or other intangibles. We’ve seen this repeatedly in recent years with every quarterback the Jets and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> have drafted. But there are nearly endless cases of top quarterbacks sinking fast after being drafted by bad teams. </p>
<p id="VrBVQR">So, if a team has a lot of holes and problems to fix that will likely doom a young quarterback, the timing may not be right to draft a quarterback. It’s better to draft at other positions to build the team around a young quarterback before drafting one. </p>
<p id="Tv2Eas">But not every quarterback drafted in the first round, or even early in the first round, is drafted by a bad team. Sometimes good teams trade up in the draft. Sometimes a good team had a bad season due to injuries, leading to a high draft pick which they used on a quarterback. And sometimes a quarterback with perhaps some greater risk factors or misperceived shortcomings falls later in the first round and is drafted by a good team. And other quarterbacks may be drafted by a team during a turnaround, having drafted or acquired several players around the same time, and/or a coaching change, that turned things around.</p>
<p id="ElGedI">For example, the Chiefs were a playoff team for three seasons before they drafted Patrick Mahomes. The Ravens had a top two defense and top ten offense before they drafted Lamar Jackson. The Bills made the playoffs the year before Josh Allen was drafted and added a lot of good players the next couple years. The Patriots had been to the playoffs in three of the previous five seasons before Brady, had the makings of a good defense, and were adding good players. The Seahawks had maybe the most successful draft ever the same year they drafted Wilson. The Steelers made the playoffs in two of the previous three seasons before they drafted Roethlisberger and the top defense his rookie year, which continued for several years afterward. The Colts had future Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Marvin Harrison when they drafted Peyton Manning. The Packers went to the conference championship with a top ten offense and defense the year before Rodgers took over at quarterback. The Bills had Andre Reed and Bruce Smith when Jim Kelly was drafted, but it took a couple years and Thurman Thomas before they put it all together. The 49ers had a top defense and Dwight Clark when Joe Montana was drafted. The Cowboys weren’t that good when Troy Aikman was drafted (either was Aikman) but got a boatload of draft picks from the Vikings in the Hershel Walker trade that built that 90s dynasty. The Raiders made the playoffs in five of the previous six seasons before they drafted Ken Stabler. The Steelers were not good before the drafted Terry Bradshaw, but drafted Hall of Famer Mel Blount that same year, then Jack Ham and Franco Harris. Mean Joe Greene and LC Greenwood were drafted the year before Bradshaw. It took the Dolphins a few years and hiring Don Shula after drafting Bob Griese before they became contenders. </p>
<p id="cEBrJc">And almost all had another thing in common: a Hall of Fame or Hall of Fame-caliber head coach. Andy Reid. John Harbaugh. Bill Belichick. Pete Carroll. Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin. Tony Dungy. Marv Levy. Bill Walsh. Jimmy Johnson. John Madden. Chuck Knoll. Don Shula. </p>
<p id="aFLINw">When a young quarterback can lean on good teammates and coaches, his job becomes a lot easier and the learning curve easier to manage. </p>
<p id="BH02yn"></p>
<h4 id="WOwexM">Accuracy, Decision-Making, Pocket Awareness, Clutch Performance</h4>
<p id="Hoas6e">Beyond the situation a young quarterback is thrust into, there are four critical traits that lead to a Hall of Fame career as a quarterback in the NFL: Accuracy, Decision-Making, Pocket Awareness, and Clutch Performance.</p>
<p id="GVG8QF">The main job of the quarterback is to distribute the ball to playmakers. Handing off the ball is routine, but passing the ball requires accuracy. Inaccurate passes lead to missed opportunities and bad plays that can doom a team no matter how good their offensive weapons, offensive line, coaching, and defense. A lot of sub-factors go into being an accurate quarterback, however. Footwork, release, and arm strength for example. </p>
<p id="xPP7Dl">Decision-making is also critical. Making good decisions to avoid negative plays, or not making a bad play worse, is part of it along with aggressively taking what the defense gives them rather than forcing the ball into a bad situation. </p>
<p id="2higID">Being able to do so involves several sub-factors as well- being able to process quickly, understanding defenses, the offensive play call options, leverage, pre-snap reads, protection calls, good field vision, quickly moving through progressions, and being decisive when the opportunity presents itself, throwing with anticipation (i.e. throwing as a receiver makes his break). This is the most difficult aspect of quarterbacking in the NFL, and the most difficult for a young quarterback to learn. What the defense gives a quarterback may exist for only a split-second, so being able to process and act quickly is imperative. The recent advent of the<a href="https://www.s2cognition.com/sports/football"> S2 test</a>, which measures a person’s ability to process information, perception, reaction time, tracking, improvisation, distraction, and other cognitive skills has shown to correlate better with success in this area than previous tests like the Wonderlic but isn’t foolproof either. </p>
<p id="AXcmSw">Pocket awareness is also a critical factor. Being able to operate efficiently within the pocket, recognize pressure, and move effectively to make or extend a play without being distracted by many large men battling in front of him is also critical as it is the situation on every passing play. Being able to respond to pressure including blitzes is part of this as well.</p>
<p id="7FegIC">Lastly, being able to perform well under pressure and in clutch or high leverage situations like third downs or two-minute situations with the game on the line is critical to be considered an elite quarterback and ultimately a championship quarterback too. It doesn’t have to be ‘out of structure’ ability or dual-threat ability- a typical pocket passer can also be a clutch performer as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana were- but the ability to deliver what is required when the game is on the line is the ultimate difference maker between a good and elite quarterback. </p>
<p id="Rbimor">Unfortunately, there is no reliable measure for this critical skill that can be applied to quarterback prospects in the draft. Sometimes clutch performance in college carries on to the NFL and sometimes it doesn’t. But without the other critical factors, including a strong work ethic, the ability to perform in clutch situations is nearly impossible.</p>
<p id="Bf9ji9"></p>
<h4 id="Sc9H0P">Nice-to-Have but Non-Critical Factors</h4>
<p id="p3hgHd">Often in the pre-draft process many evaluators become enamored with a quarterback’s big arm, prototypical size or Combine testing. These are all nice to have, but not critical to being an elite quarterback. Most elite quarterbacks have some of these qualities, but rarely all of them. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning did not possess elite athleticism as rookies or elite arm strength, and that didn’t improve as they aged into their late 30s- but they still racked up championships and MVPs. Brady and Manning could extend plays on occasion but were never elite ‘out of structure’ quarterbacks. Rodgers improved in that area over time by practicing it with his receivers rather than having it as an innate skill. </p>
<p id="JR1ScU"></p>
<h3 id="QAhYvX">What Does All This Mean for the Vikings Chances of Drafting a Hall of Famer?</h3>
<p id="Qdvqi0">The first factor of generally having a good team and coaching increases the Vikings odds of drafting- and developing a first-round quarterback into a future Hall of Famer. The Vikings offensive line is decent, their offensive weapons might be the best in the league collectively, and having a couple former NFL quarterbacks as QB coach and head coach should put whichever quarterback the Vikings draft in a good position to develop into a Hall of Famer. </p>
<p id="DMV2BH">But the Vikings will need to avoid making the same mistake the 49ers did in drafting Trey Lance. Lance had a big arm, dual-threat, excellent win-loss and championship record, good size, but didn’t pass much in college and as it turned out was unable to process quickly or throw with anticipation, leading him to stare down his receivers and often wait to see them open before throwing. That doesn’t work in the NFL. </p>
<p id="45iFWO">Of the six top quarterbacks in this draft- Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr., any one of them could turn into a Hall of Famer- or none of them. They all have critical areas where they are weak or unproven, in addition to strengths in several areas. Check out my<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/9/24094799/stats-and-scouting-scuttlebutt-on-the-top-qb-draft-prospects"> breakdown of the top QBs here</a>.</p>
<p id="MDCqKP">Beyond the stats and scouting reports, however, are other contextual interpretations of quarterback performance. QBs with four or five years of starting experience should be better than those with only two or three years. And which quarterback had the better team around him? That will influence stats as well. And of the quarterback’s problems or weaknesses, which are fixable and which are not or tend to linger with them to the NFL? And lastly, which quarterback is the best fit for the Vikings’ scheme and personnel? </p>
<p id="8MU5ea">DraftKings has the Vikings most likely to draft JJ McCarthy at +100 (50% probability), followed by Bo Nix at +200 (33.3% probability) and Michael Penix Jr. at +250 (28.6% probability), and Jayden Daniels at +600 (14.3% probability). Drake Maye is off a lot of books but I’ve found odds for the Vikings taking him at +900 (10% probability) on a couple offshore books. The Patriots and Commanders remain the heavy favorites to draft Maye on these books. It would seem the uncertainty about which team will draft Maye is the most in flux, however, which is why many bookmakers are not listing odds at the moment. </p>
<p id="JrwZA1">Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said he had layers of contingencies for the quarterback position after Kirk Cousins signed with the Falcons, and we are seeing that unfold. First he acquired Sam Darnold as a backup who could play if a rookie draft pick was not ready this season. Secondly, he made the draft pick trade with Houston to give him more flexibility in the upcoming draft. </p>
<p id="EauvrY">My own view is that this move positioned him to potentially move up into the top three and pick either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, or stay at #11 and pick JJ McCarthy, or pick Bo Nix or Michael Penix later in the first round, depending on how the draft unfolds and whether acceptable trade opportunities present themselves. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned on KFAN today that the draft pick trade with Houston gave them, “the best flexibility for whatever may happen” and, “there is a preferred scenario, but the process is ongoing.”</p>
<p id="lBX4RT">That suggests there is no trade deal firmly in place to move up in the draft, but that could change. It may also suggest, depending on how you read the tea leaves, that Kwesi is attempting to come to an agreement to trade up, and that may be the preferred scenario, but he has yet to agree to terms. The Commanders, Patriots, and Cardinals are rumored to be the teams the Vikings are talking to the most, with the Patriots being perhaps the most likely team to make a trade with the Vikings. </p>
<p id="NxOr21">Stay tuned.</p>
<p id="EKAqNQ">Follow me on X/Twitter @wludford</p>
<p id="0ejv1R"></p>
<div id="gzXBt1"><div data-anthem-component="poll:12282698"></div></div>
<p id="RW56kB"></p>
<p id="R7JrLc"></p>
<p id="kZNFu1"></p>
<p id="04uXNe"></p>
<p id="9PSbPs"></p>
<p id="uZQzEG"> </p>
<p id="SySVM7"></p>
<p id="BmhNk3"></p>
<p id="aQly6d"></p>
<p id="Kobxru"></p>
<p id="jBSxX6"></p>
<p id="4Gmhjl"></p>
<p id="7l8FwO"></p>
<p id="ZHCqgE"></p>
<p id="YF9X7G"></p>
<p id="YMlZoJ"></p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24098927/the-vikings-are-on-a-quest-for-the-holy-grail-of-professional-football-now-they-must-choose-wiselyWarren Ludford2024-03-18T10:30:07-05:002024-03-18T10:30:07-05:00Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 18 March 2024
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a_srJtifS1CKMaa1TFRpM4hh72A=/0x0:2386x1591/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215297/usa_today_21938900.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="IfV8F4"><strong>Since Our Last Open Thread...</strong></p>
<p id="A7p4DH"><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/16/24103206/the-vikings-should-consider-drafting-marvin-harrison-jr">The Vikings Should Consider Drafting Marvin Harrison Jr.</a></p>
<p id="tmNPWe"><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/17/24103915/best-trades-ones-that-dont-happen-minnesota-vikings-justin-fields-rick-spielman-chicago-bears">Sometimes the best trades are the ones that don’t happen</a></p>
<p id="5EGaCg"><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/17/24104266/k-j-osborn-to-sign-new-england-patriots-minnesota-vikings-nfl-free-agency">K.J. Osborn to sign with New England Patriots</a></p>
<p id="j7k0R4"><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/17/24104348/sb-nation-reacts-results-minnesota-vikings-fans-free-agent-signing-grades">SB Nation Reacts Results: Vikings fans like the team’s free agent signings</a></p>
<p id="6Il7VG"><strong>Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="BbIYdJ">No discussion of politics or religion</li>
<li id="EAZkP1">No feeding of the trolls</li>
<li id="D97qie">Leave the gender hatred at the door</li>
<li id="UYqKHu">Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)</li>
<li id="1m1W89">Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags</li>
<li id="gu7hzH">No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer</li>
<li id="46S83V">If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away</li>
<li id="vSmO3a">While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm</li>
</ul>
<p id="4z0mPd"></p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/3/18/24104855/minnesota-vikings-news-and-links-18-march-2024Chris Martens