Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos.
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle every week. All of the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for evaluate. Right now is the March ninth version.
Vikings Rumors: Brian Flores Whispers, Carson Wentz to Vikings, Walter Rouse
Keep in mind — rumors are rumors. What you learn on weekends in these items is what the world is speaking about pertaining to the Vikings, not essentially gadgets that can come to fruition.
Right here’s the second batch of the week. Yesterday’s could be learn right here.
Rumor: Brian Flores ought to have a contract extension on the way in which this spring.
Flores may need a candy new contract extension quickly, in accordance with Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. “My understanding is they want to get new deals done for both of those guys this spring,” Goessling stated final week about Flores and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips on a podcast.
“I think one of the reasons O’Connell wanted the deal, and one of the stipulations was, ‘I want to take care of my staff.’ I think special teams coordinator Matt Daniels will probably end up in these contract discussions as well, but that is the next thing on the list from a coaching perspective.”
Flores turned the Vikings’ protection round reasonably shortly, and in reality, his group ranked second within the NFL final season per EPA/Play.
And it appears like he’ll be rewarded accordingly.
Rumor: Carson Wentz could possibly be a QB2 choice for Minnesota if Daniel Jones doesn’t need the job.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Zack Rosenblatt from The Athletic wrote Tuesday about Wentz + Minnesota, “If Jones doesn’t get a starting shot elsewhere I think he’ll return to the Vikings as a potential stopgap until McCarthy is ready. But if not him, I still anticipate the Vikings adding a playable veteran at the position — I considered both Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo here. I went with Wentz because, to me, he fits the Darnold mold of a former highly drafted quarterback seeking redemption.”
Most Vikings followers count on Daniel Jones to earn the QB2 title in 2025, with Sam Darnold doubtless discovering a brand new staff by way of free company and J.J. McCarthy ascending to QB1 accordingly.
“Wentz was an MVP frontrunner in 2017 before tearing his ACL. He had moments in both Indianapolis and Washington, but stints with both teams ended poorly,” Rosenblatt added.
“He’s been humbled as a backup the past two seasons, learning behind Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes and from both Sean McVay and Andy Reid. If there’s a coach who can get something out of Wentz, it’s Kevin O’Connell.”
Almost each backup quarterback with some upside will get linked to the Vikings and O’Connell today, primarily due to the coach’s work with males like Darnold, Joshua Dobbs, and Nick Mullens. During the last three years, O’Connell has gained a “quarterback whisperer” status, with Minnesota as a spot that may rekindle a fledgling passer’s profession.
Possibly Wentz might be subsequent.
Rumor: Walter Rouse may play offensive guard for the purple staff in 2025.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Vikings Senior Vice President of Participant Personnel Ryan Grigson spoke about Rouse, an offensive deal with, final week and hinted the younger trenchman may audition at guard.
Grigson claimed that “Rouse is a very big man” who’s a “high-level worker” and “smart” throughout a dialog with KFAN’s Paul Allen. He additionally lauded Rouse’s intelligence, work ethic, and common traits wanted to blossom into an NFL starter ultimately.
“Rouse has got some reps at guard. With him being so big, he kind of fits the mold of someone that could body someone and get into their pads and be able to move them off the ball because he is physically strong, he’s got good quickness,” Grigson continued.
If the Vikings did nothing this offseason by way of iOL enchancment, the staff would once more function middle Garrett Bradbury, with Blake Brandel and Ed Ingram at his sides as guards. Most followers assume the membership will exchange at the very least one inside lineman within the subsequent couple of months, and maybe two.
Rouse as a guard is definitely an choice, however most followers hope the Vikings signal … an precise guard.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his every day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, 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 supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info supplied by OverTheCap.com.
