All Things 2026 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

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KOC won

No way JJ is the starting QB next year. I’d also say there’s a good chance he’s traded as well.

The Mark Wilf presser

My impression FWIW

Doesn’t say much specifically
Doesn’t discount that having Sammy in SB was a factor
Does say we want to get younger
Impressed by the questions asked; through and specific

 
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GopherWeatherGuy said:
It's way too early to give up on JJ
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Many people here gave up on Sam Darnold after 2 'bad' games.

I use half-quotes because in one of those 'bad' games, Darnold had absolutely no chance and was sacked, what, 9 times? Add in the fact that the 2 'bad' games came after Darnold played well enough to help this team to 14 wins.
 
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RememberMurray said:
Many people here gave up on Sam Darnold after 2 'bad' games.

I use half-quotes because in one of those 'bad' games, Darnold had absolutely no chance and was sacked, what, 9 times? Add in the fact that the 2 'bad' games came after Darnold played well enough to help this team to 14 wins.
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Koc says he always wanted SammyD and got down voted by Kwesi. What a joke
 



RememberMurray said:
Ooooo... sounds as though you might have some 'insider' information!

Wait... since this is coming from a Packer person, that would make it 'outsider' info.

Right?
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Well, i did post in here long ago about Kwesi rarely being in the practice field. I have insiders.
 

I put zero stock in these random hit pieces that come out after. Clearly both KOC and KAM thought they could try make it work. They decided who to bring in to back him up.

Zero people said anything when he led the bears comeback.

The issue is KAM has been poor drafting and lives behind spreadsheets and theory, not the world of reality and evaluations and relationships. There’s a reason the nfl is full of inbreeding and retreads

KOC fucked up as well. And personally if I’m the wilfs and KOC, I’d prefer if they’d stop running these articles because even if you don’t like McCarthy as your qb for next year, you’re destroying any leverage to move him and tanking what you’ve told your team for an entire season to try believe in him and instead saying you were lying to them all along.

This was a way more cumulative firing then just McCarthy and this dumbass notion that we “pushed out” Darnold or didn’t want him
 

upnorthkid said:
I put zero stock in these random hit pieces that come out after. Clearly both KOC and KAM thought they could try make it work. They decided who to bring in to back him up.

Zero people said anything when he led the bears comeback.

The issue is KAM has been poor drafting and lives behind spreadsheets and theory, not the world of reality and evaluations and relationships. There’s a reason the nfl is full of inbreeding and retreads

KOC fucked up as well. And personally if I’m the wilfs and KOC, I’d prefer if they’d stop running these articles because even if you don’t like McCarthy as your qb for next year, you’re destroying any leverage to move him and tanking what you’ve told your team for an entire season to try believe in him and instead saying you were lying to them all along.

This was a way more cumulative firing then just McCarthy and this dumbass notion that we “pushed out” Darnold or didn’t want him
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I listened to Ben Goessling on KFAN and he was pretty certain that the Vikings were convinced they could re-sign Daniel Jones and when he signed with IND, it left them with no choice but to commit 100% to JJM for 2025.
 



upnorthkid said:
I put zero stock in these random hit pieces that come out after. Clearly both KOC and KAM thought they could try make it work. They decided who to bring in to back him up.

Zero people said anything when he led the bears comeback.

The issue is KAM has been poor drafting and lives behind spreadsheets and theory, not the world of reality and evaluations and relationships. There’s a reason the nfl is full of inbreeding and retreads

KOC fucked up as well. And personally if I’m the wilfs and KOC, I’d prefer if they’d stop running these articles because even if you don’t like McCarthy as your qb for next year, you’re destroying any leverage to move him and tanking what you’ve told your team for an entire season to try believe in him and instead saying you were lying to them all along.

This was a way more cumulative firing then just McCarthy and this dumbass notion that we “pushed out” Darnold or didn’t want him
Click to expand...

First off, I doubt that any NFL front office goes by what 'articles' say. They spend many hours and lots of money evaluating players.

As far as "dumbass notions" are concerned, there is no doubt — none — that the Vikings could have kept Darnold via the franchise tag. They chose not to do so, plain and simple. You can agree or disagree with that choice, but it was in fact their choice.

And here we are... the results speak for themselves.
 

Slim Tubby said:
I listened to Ben Goessling on KFAN and he was pretty certain that the Vikings were convinced they could re-sign Daniel Jones and when he signed with IND, it left them with no choice but to commit 100% to JJM for 2025.
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If this is correct, it only confirms the notion that the Vikings bungled the entire situation.
 


RememberMurray said:
First off, I doubt that any NFL front office goes by what 'articles' say. They spend many hours and lots of money evaluating players.

As far as "dumbass notions" are concerned, there is no doubt — none — that the Vikings could have kept Darnold via the franchise tag. They chose not to do so, plain and simple. You can agree or disagree with that choice, but it was in fact their choice.

And here we are... the results speak for themselves.
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To the tune of 40 million. They could not keep him for the dollar amount (ditto on the 30+ million he got) for the holes created elsewhere. Again this is espn talking heads that are saying we “didn’t want him” or forced him out. They couldn’t afford him while doing the other things they needed to. I’m sure they’d love to have Josh Allen at qb, they can’t afford him either. It was money, not evaluation. Had they sent him out and signed someone else for 30mil, sure then that makes sense

And yes it is completely ridiculous to suggest we thought Darnold was bad or didn’t want him if the dollar amount couldve worked out while addressing both the offensive and defensive lines (they weren’t perfect or even good on those choices/selections). This was not a selection of McCarthy versus Darnold with all things being equal because the dollar amount is grossly unequal. They chose build around your rookie qb on the cheap deal and that OL couldn’t stay healthy and jjm got bludgeoned.

This is a strategy numerous franchises have gone for. It’s how KC won their first title with Mahomes. It’s what sf did around purdy. It works if your qb pans out to be average or better. This team was not Sam Darnold still here plus no other changes away from a Super Bowl. They may make the playoffs again or even win a game, but a holey ol would be an issue and Darnold still struggles there as do most qbs (look at his game vs our Vikings) Turns out it may just be that Seattle has a really good team and knows how to use a skill set under McDonald.

I really like Darnold as he seems like a really good guy and am super happy for him as he could’ve given up. The Vikings rehabbed his reputation and mind in a season he wasn’t even supposed to be our qb and everyone laughed that we were even going to trot him out there before that year. That said, I can 100% see why you, given the options, would go with building around your cap friendly rookie deal and think you can build a team to perform around him. Hell it almost worked and they missed the playoffs by a razors edge and then this is a wildly different conversation
 



upnorthkid said:
To the tune of 40 million. They could not keep him for the dollar amount (ditto on the 30+ million he got) for the holes created elsewhere.
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What specific holes? The FA signings didn’t do a ton to address them, did they?
upnorthkid said:
Again this is espn talking heads that are saying we “didn’t want him” or forced him out.
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I posted an article after the Seattle games where Lewis’ detailed his there was a split amongst the DMs on whether to bring Darnold back; the group that wanted to roll with JJ won and that why Sammy left.

It’s very hard to find a franchise QB, so if one falls in your lap, it seems foolish to let him walk, especially when JJ was a reach at 10 and not someone like Maye
upnorthkid said:
They couldn’t afford him while doing the other things they needed to. I’m sure they’d love to have Josh Allen at qb, they can’t afford him either. It was money, not evaluation. Had they sent him out and signed someone else for 30mil, sure then that makes sense

And yes it is completely ridiculous to suggest we thought Darnold was bad or didn’t want him if the dollar amount couldve worked out while addressing both the offensive and defensive lines (they weren’t perfect or even good on those choices/selections). This was not a selection of McCarthy versus Darnold with all things being equal because the dollar amount is grossly unequal. They chose build around your rookie qb on the cheap deal and that OL couldn’t stay healthy and jjm got bludgeoned.

This is a strategy numerous franchises have gone for. It’s how KC won their first title with Mahomes. It’s what sf did around purdy. It works if your qb pans out to be average or better. This team was not Sam Darnold still here plus no other changes away from a Super Bowl. They may make the playoffs again or even win a game, but a holey ol would be an issue and Darnold still struggles there as do most qbs (look at his game vs our Vikings) Turns out it may just be that Seattle has a really good team and knows how to use a skill set under McDonald.

I really like Darnold as he seems like a really good guy and am super happy for him as he could’ve given up. The Vikings rehabbed his reputation and mind in a season he wasn’t even supposed to be our qb and everyone laughed that we were even going to trot him out there before that year. That said, I can 100% see why you, given the options, would go with building around your cap friendly rookie deal and think you can build a team to perform around him. Hell it almost worked and they missed the playoffs by a razors edge and then this is a wildly different conversation
Click to expand...
 

RememberMurray said:
First off, I doubt that any NFL front office goes by what 'articles' say. They spend many hours and lots of money evaluating players.
Click to expand...
Exactly - this is for the fan’s consumption.

An analogous situation is recruiting rankings, which are a 1000% subjective. Flevk is going off of his staff’s evaluation, not what some “expert” says on the internet.
RememberMurray said:
As far as "dumbass notions" are concerned, there is no doubt — none — that the Vikings could have kept Darnold via the franchise tag.
Click to expand...
Definitely
RememberMurray said:
They chose not to do so, plain and simple. You can agree or disagree with that choice, but it was in fact their choice.
Click to expand...
They let him walk
RememberMurray said:
And here we are... the results speak for themselves.
Click to expand...
 

Slim Tubby said:
I listened to Ben Goessling on KFAN and he was pretty certain that the Vikings were convinced they could re-sign Daniel Jones and when he signed with IND, it left them with no choice but to commit 100% to JJM for 2025.
Click to expand...
KAM didn’t factor in that there are folks whose football smarts trump his Ivy League pedigree.
 

Spaulding!No! said:
Well, i did post in here long ago about Kwesi rarely being in the practice field. I have insiders.
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RememberMurray said:
Ooooo... sounds as though you might have some 'insider' information!

Wait... since this is coming from a Packer person, that would make it 'outsider' info.

Right?
Click to expand...
Ring a KFAN groupie has its privileges 🤠
 

RememberMurray said:
Many people here gave up on Sam Darnold after 2 'bad' games.
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Murray The Supefly Snuaku from the top rope💪

Will GWG ever recover and get off the mat🥴
RememberMurray said:
I use half-quotes because in one of those 'bad' games, Darnold had absolutely no chance and was sacked, what, 9 times? Add in the fact that the 2 'bad' games came after Darnold played well enough to help this team to 14 wins.
Click to expand...
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
What specific holes? The FA signings didn’t do a ton to address them, did they?

I posted an article after the Seattle games where Lewis’ detailed his there was a split amongst the DMs on whether to bring Darnold back; the group that wanted to roll with JJ won and that why Sammy left.

It’s very hard to find a franchise QB, so if one falls in your lap, it seems foolish to let him walk, especially when JJ was a reach at 10 and not someone like Maye
Click to expand...
He was ranked 9, 12, 14, 22, and 33 (espn) and an overall “reach” that is typical for the qb position. I didn’t like him as a prospect and wanted really any of the other qbs aside from Penix (but I am biased because I hate Michigan lol).

Again the argument was to try to shore up the lines around a rookie qb contract. They tried to do so on the OL with guys many outlets were excited about then massively underperformed or got hurt with people touting coming into the year we may have a top 5 OL. The DTs they took were bleh.

I’m not saying they made good selections, just speaking to the premise. You couldn’t add those guys with the extra 30-40mil going to Darnold. They missed on those selections and that’s why KAM does not have a job
 

upnorthkid said:
He was ranked 9, 12, 14, 22, and 33 (espn) and an overall “reach” that is typical for the qb position. I didn’t like him as a prospect and wanted really any of the other qbs aside from Penix (but I am biased because I hate Michigan lol).

Again the argument was to try to shore up the lines around a rookie qb contract. They tried to do so on the OL with guys many outlets were excited about then massively underperformed or got hurt with people touting coming into the year we may have a top 5 OL. The DTs they took were bleh.

I’m not saying they made good selections, just speaking to the premise. You couldn’t add those guys with the extra 30-40mil going to Darnold. They missed on those selections and that’s why KAM does not have a job
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I understand your point, but we vastly overpaid for Fries and Kelly with his concussion history as a center is not even an acquisition Falvey would have pondered. Two 30 year DL is more bad judgment, do none it met or exceeded the value paid.

I’d much rather have a starting stud QB at $30-40M and build from there. JJ on a rookie deal was, especially after missing year 1, was never going to get us to a SB on his rookie deal.

The strategy needed be adjusted as things changed with JJ’s health.
 
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Gopher_In_NYC said:
I understand your point, but we vastly overpaid for Fries and Kelly with his concussion history as a center is not even an acquisition Falvey would have pondered. Two 30 year DL is more bad judgment, do none it met or exceeded the value paid.

I’d much rather have a starting stud QB at $30-40M and build from there. JJ on a rookie deal was, especially after missing year 1, was never going to get us to a SBbon his rookie deal.

The strategy needed be adjusted as things changed with JJ’s health.
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Oh I agree they missed and overpaid the OL guys.
 


Hopefully Mr. Alexander will be better at developing young DBs than the departing DB coach. That would help a whole lot

 

upnorthkid said:
He was ranked 9, 12, 14, 22, and 33 (espn) and an overall “reach” that is typical for the qb position. I didn’t like him as a prospect and wanted really any of the other qbs aside from Penix (but I am biased because I hate Michigan lol).

Again the argument was to try to shore up the lines around a rookie qb contract. They tried to do so on the OL with guys many outlets were excited about then massively underperformed or got hurt with people touting coming into the year we may have a top 5 OL. The DTs they took were bleh.

I’m not saying they made good selections, just speaking to the premise. You couldn’t add those guys with the extra 30-40mil going to Darnold. They missed on those selections and that’s why KAM does not have a job
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Up north kid is straight provolone!
 





upnorthkid said:
To the tune of 40 million. They could not keep him for the dollar amount (ditto on the 30+ million he got) for the holes created elsewhere. Again this is espn talking heads that are saying we “didn’t want him” or forced him out. They couldn’t afford him while doing the other things they needed to. I’m sure they’d love to have Josh Allen at qb, they can’t afford him either. It was money, not evaluation. Had they sent him out and signed someone else for 30mil, sure then that makes sense
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Yes. It was money. We'll spend on a wide receiver, but we hate spending on a QB. It's hard to even contemplate the foolishness of that approach. "They couldn't afford" him? Apparently they couldn't afford to let him go!

upnorthkid said:
And yes it is completely ridiculous to suggest we thought Darnold was bad or didn’t want him if the dollar amount couldve worked out while addressing both the offensive and defensive lines (they weren’t perfect or even good on those choices/selections). This was not a selection of McCarthy versus Darnold with all things being equal because the dollar amount is grossly unequal. They chose build around your rookie qb on the cheap deal and that OL couldn’t stay healthy and jjm got bludgeoned.
Click to expand...

JJM was not ready to lead a team that had realistic playoff aspirations. Full stop.

Conversely, Darnold is the QB of a Super Bowl team. So it is possible to pay Sam Darnold and at the same time field a really good team. This applies to much of what follows...

upnorthkid said:
This is a strategy numerous franchises have gone for. It’s how KC won their first title with Mahomes. It’s what sf did around purdy. It works if your qb pans out to be average or better. This team was not Sam Darnold still here plus no other changes away from a Super Bowl. They may make the playoffs again or even win a game, but a holey ol would be an issue and Darnold still struggles there as do most qbs (look at his game vs our Vikings) Turns out it may just be that Seattle has a really good team and knows how to use a skill set under McDonald.

I really like Darnold as he seems like a really good guy and am super happy for him as he could’ve given up. The Vikings rehabbed his reputation and mind in a season he wasn’t even supposed to be our qb and everyone laughed that we were even going to trot him out there before that year. That said, I can 100% see why you, given the options, would go with building around your cap friendly rookie deal and think you can build a team to perform around him. Hell it almost worked and they missed the playoffs by a razors edge and then this is a wildly different conversation
Click to expand...

Woulda, coulda, shoulda never applies in professional sports. All that matters is actual results.
 

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