Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has about 5 weeks within the books, headlined by the top coach Kevin O’Connell’s extension and Brian Flores’ return for Yr No. 3.
5 Official Predictions for the Vikings Offseason
Free company kicks off in about three weeks, and the draft is six after that.
To set the desk for the Vikings’ sixty fifth offseason in franchise historical past, listed here are 5 predictions for the 2025 Vikings, ranked in no specific order.
Reminder: “Bold predictions” — extra outlandish ones — could be learn right here.
1. Sam Darnold Leaves
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
Whereas some followers nonetheless hope that Minnesota applies the franchise tag and trades Darnold to the very best bidder, the compensatory draft decide that the group would fetch for his free-agent exit is probably not all that totally different than a commerce.
And since the purple group has J.J. McCarthy itching to begin, plus Darnold’s possible $40 million asking value, the veteran passer will depart through free company.
The Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be suitors, and Las Vegas will seemingly win the Darnold sweepstakes.
2. Daniel Jones Turns into the QB2
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
After Darnold vamooses through free company, Minnesota will wish to replicate the 2024 mannequin — using an skilled quarterback behind the teenager, J.J. McCarthy.
Look no additional than Daniel Jones, who had much more beginning expertise than Darnold getting into final season.
Minnesota cast this relationship down the stretch of the 2024 marketing campaign, signing Jones to the apply squad, and he’ll return because the QB2 in 2025 on a deal price about $12 million.
3. Vikings Choose DT in Spherical 1 of Draft
Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos.
Minnesota will begin from energy to find a beginning cornerback in free company — it has the connection with Byron Murphy Jr. intact. Normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, for instance, can re-sign Murphy Jr. after which maybe add a participant like Paulson Adebo, a nook from the New Orleans Saints.
It gained’t be fairly as simple to discover a dominant defensive deal with, particularly if the Vikings don’t win the Milton Williams sweepstakes.
Due to this fact, Minnesota will principally deal with cornerback in free company and set sights on Spherical 1 or 2 of the draft for the defensive deal with want. It simply so occurs that this draft has oodles of DT choices.
Look ahead to the group to focus on Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Tyleik Williams (Ohio State), or Deone Walker (Kentucky), to call a couple of potentialities.
4. Aaron Jones Returns
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos.
Aaron Jones loves the Vikings, they usually love him.
Along with selecting a working again in a deep RB draft class, Minnesota will re-sign Jones for another yr, cut back his workload a bit, and pair him with that rookie tailback.
Contemplate this one a “culture signing” as effectively.
5. All Main Roster Wants Addressed in Free Company First
Minnesota Normal Supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media concerning the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft from the TCO Efficiency Middle. The Vikings have long-term draft wants at quarterback, cornerback, and inside offensive line.
The perk of showcasing $60 million in cap house earlier than restructuring any present gamers’ contracts? Adofo-Mensah can spend, spend, after which spend some extra.
Accordingly, the Vikings will verify off all main long-term roster wants earlier than getting into the draft. That’s — perceived holes at cornerback, defensive deal with, inside offensive line, and working again will likely be crammed in March.
The draft will then act like gravy, and Adofo-Mensah can concentrate on the perfect participant accessible all through every spherical.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options visitors, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple group, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.
