Minnesota Vikings Information and Hyperlinks: Senior Bowl Is On!

The Senior Bowl is on at this time. Get to take a look at some potential future Vikings offered they’ve draft picks.

Minnesota Vikings Information and Hyperlinks

NFL Gamers Vote Vikings QB Sam Darnold CPOY

“Darnold is the second Vikings player to win the award since its SN inception in 2008, following Adrian Peterson and his 2,097-yard rushing season in 2012. Quarterbacks have dominated this award of late, winning seven consecutive times.”

Vikings’ Sam Darnold Breaks Silence on Impending Free Company

After being faraway from the highlight for a few weeks, the 27-year-old area basic broke the silence about his offseason and potential free company whereas on the 2025 Professional Bowl.

“I’ve put a little bit of thought into it. I’m not going to share anything about what I’ve been thinking or the conversations I’ve had behind closed doors,” stated Darnold.

“There’s a lot that’s going to happen still, even after the Super Bowl. I’m just going to continue to talk to my agent and figure things out from there.”

Vikings but to make ‘firm determination’ on projected $100 million QB, per NFL insider

His robust play this season has brought on them to pause and take a tough have a look at their choices. Bringing him again looks like a stronger chance than it was 5 – 6 months in the past. However the Vikings may have a cap on spending right here. Some brokers have argued that Darnold shouldn’t take a penny lower than Daniel Jones’ four-year, $160 million take care of the Giants from two years in the past. Groups have recommended Darnold getting one thing extra in step with Baker Mayfield’s contract (three years, $100 million). Ultimately, maybe the transition tag ($35.3 million) makes essentially the most sense.

Pelissero believes ‘most logical’ Sam Darnold consequence is return to Vikings

Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota-based NFL Community insider, thinks the “most logical” consequence is Darnold returning to the Vikings for a second season in 2025.

“I would say on paper the most logical outcome of this is Sam Darnold still in Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season coming off knee surgery. They believe in him. They’re not trading J.J. McCarthy. But there’s no precedent for a guy missing an entire year of reps as a rookie and coming back and playing again like it hasn’t happened,” Pelissero informed Sportskeeda.

“All I know is Sam Darnold played the best football of his career under Kevin O’Connell. The last two games notwithstanding it makes sense for Sam Darnold. All things equal to come back it makes sense for the Vikings to bring him back. They won 14 games with him. …. They also have the franchise tag at their disposal if they choose to use it.”

If Minnesota elects to convey again Darnold, they’ll need to both use the franchise tag or signal him to an extension. The franchise tag will price them an estimated $41 million whereas ESPN’s Dan Graziano is predicting Darnold’s contract extension to be within the ballpark of three years for $120 million, together with $75 million assured.

The opposite elephant within the room to contemplate is Daniel Jones. The previous New York Giants quarterback signed with the Vikings after being launched by the Giants and there stays an opportunity that he’s introduced again on a brand new contract with Minnesota. If Jones re-signs, it might appear doubtless that he and J.J. McCarthy would compete for the beginning job whereas Darnold is allowed to discover different choices.

How a lot is an excessive amount of for the Vikings to convey again Sam Darnold?

Free company selections all the time come right down to the value level. Can a crew and a participant meet within the center and agree on phrases of a deal that either side imagine to be truthful?

It’ll be no totally different with Sam Darnold, the Vikings’ Professional Bowl quarterback who’s arguably crucial participant set to hit free company this yr. Minnesota could genuinely have curiosity in holding him round, however for the way a lot? There’s solely a sure contract that can make sense for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings, who’ve final yr’s No. 10 choose J.J. McCarthy ready within the wings.

In a brand new article, ESPN insider Dan Graziano tasks Darnold to get a three-year, $120 million contract with $75 million assured. That’s in step with the three-year, $100 million deal Baker Mayfield obtained from the Buccaneers final yr, however adjusted upward “based on inflation and market demand.” Darnold had a greater statistical season than Mayfield’s 2023, and there’s extra quarterback demand this yr attributable to an absence of apparent choices in free company and the draft.

Would the Vikings do this form of a deal? That largely commits you to having Darnold for the following two years, which implies McCarthy would have burned three years of his rookie contract earlier than getting an opportunity. Except, in fact, the Michigan product earns the job anyhow, wherein case you’ve dedicated $75 million assured to somebody who finally ends up as your backup quarterback.

The Vikings may construction a two or three-year deal in a backloaded method that enables them to carry onto a lot of their cap area this yr, however that brings the danger of ending up with an enormous, Kirk Cousins-like useless cash cost sooner or later. They may additionally franchise tag Darnold for one yr at $41 million, however that cuts into their capability to deal with different wants this offseason.

“I think Minnesota would love to have him around, but do they want to franchise him for like 40, 41 million dollars and then have to bench him halfway through the season when the kid is ready? Do you franchise him with the intent of trading him, just so you get something for him? I think there’s a lot of different ways that could play out, but I’m still one that I’m gonna be surprised if he’s back on the Vikings.”

BREAKING: Jaguars Set to Interview Prime Vikings Assistant For OC Position

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to carry their third interview of their seek for a brand new offensive coordinator below head coach Liam Coen.

Based on NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero, the following coach in line to interview with Coen and the Jaguars is Minnesota Vikings assistant quarterback’s coach Grant Udinski, who has been a busy man this offseason.

Udinski has been a preferred title throughout this yr’s teaching cycle. He has drawn curiosity from the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and New England Patriots for offensive coordinator vacancies, which is a fast rise for the 28-year-old assistant who has been within the NFL since 2020.

Udinski obtained his break into the NFL as an assistant on Matt Rhule’s workers with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 earlier than becoming a member of Kevin O’Connell’s workers with the Vikings in 2022 as assistant to the top coach/particular tasks.

The Minnesota Vikings seem set at left deal with with franchise star Christian Darrisaw, nonetheless, his outlook for the 2025 season might be unclear after a current ESPN report.

Nevertheless, in line with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Robinson returning to Minnesota isn’t “off the table.”

“Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold,” Fowler wrote. “The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help. And a return to Minnesota isn’t totally off the table, after the Vikings traded for Robinson at midseason.”

Robinson’s return to Minnesota could be tough to justify financially contemplating the Vikings simply signed Darrisaw to a four-year, $104 million deal price $26 million a yr in July.

Nevertheless, given the group’s precedent in treating its stars’ accidents, Darrisaw might be in for a prolonged restoration.

After tearing his ACL and MCL in late December 2023, T.J. Hockenson didn’t return till Week 8. Darrisaw underwent surgical procedure on November 4, and whereas that’s roughly two extra months of restoration time earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, the restoration timeline for an ACL and MCL tear is between 9 to 12 months.

6 Senior Bowl standouts who might be Vikings targets in NFL draft

OL Gray Zabel, NDSU

Zabel performed offensive deal with throughout his 5 years at North Dakota State, however he practiced on the inside this week and regarded nice, rising as maybe the largest riser of the whole occasion. ESPN’s Jordan Reid stated Zabel was the “most consistent of any player, regardless of position.” The 6’6” lineman has the potential to play all 5 spots on the road, although he may undertaking greatest at guard. He might be a goal for the Vikings as excessive because the twenty fourth general choose, or maybe within the late first/early second vary after a commerce again.

DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Nolen may’ve had too good of per week for the Vikings to have a sensible shot at touchdown him. After recording 6.5 sacks this previous season and shining on the Senior Bowl along with his energy and quickness, he may wind up as a top-20 choose in a draft with a bunch of intriguing defensive tackles. He’s the form of participant who, if he makes it to 24, ought to make Minnesota suppose in any other case about buying and selling down. Texas A&M’s Shemart Stewart is one other participant who falls into that class.

DT Darius Alexander, Toledo

RB Devin Neal, Kansas

CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

3 NFL Draft prospects the Minnesota Vikings ought to goal in spherical 1

Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

Shavon Revel is perhaps one of the best cornerback within the second tier of corners behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan’s Will Johnson. Sadly, Revel solely performed in half of East Carolina’s video games this season attributable to a torn ACL, so his draft inventory may take a success, pushing him proper into Vikings trade-down territory.

Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

Vikings followers are enamored with the concept of signing Kansas Metropolis Chiefs guard Trey Smith in free company this low season. The inside offensive line was a legal responsibility down the stretch this season, and discovering upgrades is excessive on the to-do checklist for the Vikings entrance workplace.

If the crew can not signal Smith or is unwilling to pay his anticipated excessive price ticket, drafting Tyler Booker from Alabama shouldn’t be a nasty comfort prize.

Vikings predicted to chop $15.75 million starter, improve safety for QB J.J. McCarthy

Because the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 season crumbled within the last sport of Wild-Card Weekend, essentially the most evident cracks might be discovered alongside their inside offensive line.

Los Angeles Rams defenders racked up a surprising 43 pressures in that playoff sport, per PFF’s superior stats, together with 15 mixed from Jared Verse and Byron Younger. Quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked a file 9 instances, and Minnesota’s often environment friendly offense was a shell of itself.

That brutal ending to what was among the best common seasons in franchise historical past may create urgency for change from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Minnesota’s entrance workplace. With that high of thoughts, ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell predicts the crew will discover chopping former first-round heart Garrett Bradbury in an try to improve the safety for younger QB J.J. McCarthy in 2025.

Right here was Barnwell’s take for ESPN-plus:

The veterans the Vikings have below contract are usually locked in or enjoying nicely sufficient to alleviate any considerations about being launched. The one exception is perhaps Bradbury, who has settled in as a low-end starter at heart. On the similar time, his $5.3 million compensation for 2025 isn’t outlandish for a veteran in that vary. If the Vikings need to improve, his unguaranteed contract might be susceptible, however it’s extra doubtless he’s again because the Week 1 starter.

Bradbury completed the 2024 season with PFF’s lowest move blocking grade amongst Vikings O-linemen, so it’s no shock that his future with the crew could be below the microscope. If the crew does make the swap to McCarthy at QB to start out the 2025 season, it will probably’t afford to have weak hyperlinks in the course of the offensive line — particularly at heart.

That was an issue in 2024, regardless of the crew’s exceptional 14-3 run within the common season. Former second-round choose Ed Ingram grew to become a legal responsibility at proper guard, to the purpose the place he was changed by veteran Dalton Risner midseason. That swap made a major distinction, however on the different guard spot, Blake Brandel struggled mightily at instances whereas main the crew with 11 penalties and surrendering 46 pressures (second solely to Cam Robinson’s 49).

For context, the Philadelphia Eagles drafted heart Cam Jurgens within the second spherical in 2022, and he’s already one of many high facilities within the NFL, making the NFC’s preliminary Professional Bowl roster this season. The Vikings can’t say the identical for Bradbury, who they took No. 19 general in 2019. The crew doubtless projected him as a top-five participant on the place at this level in his contract. As an alternative, he’s struggling to the tune of 38 pressures allowed this season, essentially the most amongst NFL facilities in 2024. Barnwell feels the crew will in the end hold Bradbury and his reasonably priced contract — each Risner and Brandel are low-cost as nicely — however that might be a mistake. It’s time to maneuver on and search upgrades.

The Vikings personal the seventh-most projected cap area in 2025, they usually’ll want to start out spending on the inside offensive line in the event that they need to recover from the hump within the postseason.

NFL Insider Provides Updates on A number of Vikings Free Brokers

6. Sam Darnold, QB

“Several execs have Darnold in that Baker Mayfield range of contracts, which is around three years and $100 million with strong guarantees. The Raiders and Giants — both picking outside the top two spots in the draft — might need to pay a quarterback.”

Jeremy Fowler on Darnold (ESPN)

14. Cam Robinson, OT

“Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold, with the recent precedent of Garett Bolles‘ four-year, $82 million deal in Denver as a comp. The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help. And a return to Minnesota isn’t totally off the table, after the Vikings traded for Robinson at midseason.”

Fowler on Robinson (ESPN)

20. Byron Murphy Jr., CB

“Sources say Murphy will be looking for a rather large raise from the two-year, $17.5 million deal he just played out in Minnesota. He has played his way into bigger money.”

Fowler on Murphy Jr. (ESPN)

29. Camryn Bynum, S

“The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March.”

Fowler on Bynum (ESPN)

33. Aaron Jones, RB

“Expect Denver to look for a versatile back to bolster Sean Payton’s offense. Could Jones fit the mold despite his age? He’s the kind of runner/pass catcher who just might.”

Fowler on Jones (ESPN)

An Off Season Plan earlier than the mock
Beginning Cap Area
2025: $58,012,543
2026: $101,508,844

…

Reduce Ed Ingram : saves 3.325M in 2025 cap area
Reduce CJ Ham : saves 2.65M in 2025 cap area
Franchise tag Sam Darnold and commerce him to Raiders for choose #68, #178, and a conditional 2026 third or 4th
Lengthen/Redo : Andrew Van Ginkel 3 yr 45M : saves 4.08M in 2025 cap area
Lengthen/Redo : Josh Oliver 3 yr 21M : saves 4M in 2025 cap area
Lengthen Daniel Jones 1 yr 15M
Lengthen Aaron Jones 2 yr 14M
Lengthen Dalton Risner 3 yr 12M

…

Signal Charvarius Ward CB 3 yr 48M
Signal Nate Hobbs CB 2 yr 10M
Signal LG Teven Jenkins 3 yr 45M
Signal DT Levi Onwuzurike 3 yr 27M
Signal S Julian Blackmon – 3 yr 24M

…

Ending Cap Area
2025: $31,027,543
2026: $16,362,844

With 31M nonetheless remaining, I anticipate the Vikings to be gamers within the lower candidate market. Javon Hargrave is rumored to be a lower candidate and he is perhaps a superb pickup. There might be some others like Grady Jarrett, DJ Reader, Tony Pollard, Noah Fant, and perhaps a security.

Prime NFL Reduce Candidates for All 32 Groups: Might Travis Kelce, Von Miller, and Geno Smith Make Manner?

The 2026 cap quantity may be very low but when they lower O’Neill, Phillips, and Brandel they might save 30.5M in cap area and have 37.3M to play with earlier than any restructures.

Yore Mock
Trades
Commerce Accomplice: Las Vegas Raiders
Despatched: Sam Darnold
Obtained: Spherical 3 Choose 4, Spherical 6 Choose 4, Future Spherical 4 Choose
…
Commerce Accomplice: Buffalo Payments
Despatched: Spherical 1 Choose 24, Spherical 3 Choose 4
Obtained: Spherical 1 Choose 30, Spherical 2 Choose 30, Spherical 4 Choose 7
…
Commerce Accomplice: Jacksonville Jaguars
Despatched: Spherical 1 Choose 30
Obtained: Spherical 2 Choose 4, Spherical 4 Choose 5
…
Commerce Accomplice: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despatched: Spherical 2 Choose 30, Spherical 4 Choose 7
Obtained: Spherical 2 Choose 21, Spherical 5 Choose 19
…
Commerce Accomplice: LA Rams
Despatched: Spherical 3 Choose 33, Spherical 5 Choose 22
Obtained: Spherical 3 Choose 26, Spherical 6 Choose 14
…
Commerce Accomplice: Miami Dolphins
Despatched: Spherical 4 Choose 5
Obtained: Spherical 4 Choose 14, Spherical 5 Choose 17
…

36: R2 P4 DL Kenneth Grant – Michigan 6’3.4” 342

53: R2 P21 C Gray Zabel – North Dakota State 6’5.3” 316

90: R3 P26 RB Kaleb Johnson – Iowa 6’0” 225

115: R4 P14 S Lathan Ransom – Ohio State 6’1” 210

Picture by CFP/Getty Photos

138: R5 P1 CB Nohl Williams – California 6’1” 200

154: R5 P17 C Jared Wilson – Georgia 6’3” 310

156: R5 P19 LB Demetrius Knight – South Carolina 6’1.5” 246

Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photos

179: R6 P4 DL Darius Alexander – Toldeo 6’3.5” 304

189: R6 P14 EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo – UCLA 6’2.6” 261

Picture by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

236: R7 P21 CB Mac McWilliams – UCF 5’10” 181

Picture by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

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