All Things 2024-25 Vikings Regular Season Thread

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GopherWeatherGuy said:
You can't nitpick the Bears on some of their draft picks and ignore Kwesi's first draft which was a complete dumpster fire. I love JJ McCarthy more than most but Addison and Will Reichard are the only two picks Kwesi has made that we know are good, yet Addison has had his issues and the other is a kicker.

The Bears got Allen for a 4th rounder and he's a FA after the season so drafting Odunze made sense. You wanted them to draft Fashanu who is a backup for the terrible Jets?

They wanted Barkley but had to settle for Swift, who despite being 'just a 3rd down back' was the 5th leading rusher in the NFL last season. He is a huge upgrade over what they had last season which was nothing. He's on pace to approach his rushing numbers from last season, beat his rushing TDs, and he's already surpassed his receiving yards from last year.

You like what Kwesi has done with the cap situation and so do I, yet the Bears have slightly more cap space than the Vikings do heading into next season.

They also rightfully moved on from Fields who stinks. Poles has done a better job than what you and Slim are giving him credit for.
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I appreciate your thoughts and points. Way too much to disagree on to keep bantering back and forth. We'll see how each team does moving forward. Poles and Kwesi were hired at the same time; Vikings are 29-16 with 2 (likely) playoff appearances, while the Bears have gone 14-31. That's not just a few games difference. One could try to argue Kwesi inherited a better situation, but it was bad enough that the entire previous regime was shown the door.

And moving forward, looking to next year, I would have to say Vikings fans are a lot more optimistic about the future than Bears fans are today. What does the future look like in Chicago? They're looking at being the odds-on favorite to finish 4th in the NFC North next year, again.

The Claypool and Sweat deals alone should have Poles in the GM Hall of Shame. Good Lord. They gave up the #1 pick in the 2nd round of the draft for Chase Claypool, who they gave to Miami less than a year later for a 6th/7th round pick swap. And they gave up the #36 pick in the draft for a handful of games of Montez Sweat to close last season, a guy they could have just signed in the offseason. WTF... just inexplicable
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I appreciate your thoughts and points. Way too much to disagree on to keep bantering back and forth. We'll see how each team does moving forward. Poles and Kwesi were hired at the same time; Vikings are 29-16 with 2 (likely) playoff appearances, while the Bears have gone 14-31. That's not just a few games difference. One could try to argue Kwesi inherited a better situation, but it was bad enough that the entire previous regime was shown the door.

And moving forward, looking to next year, I would have to say Vikings fans are a lot more optimistic about the future than Bears fans are today. What does the future look like in Chicago? They're looking at being the odds-on favorite to finish 4th in the NFC North next year, again.

The Claypool and Sweat deals alone should have Poles in the GM Hall of Shame. Good Lord. They gave up the #1 pick in the 2nd round of the draft for Chase Claypool, who they gave to Miami less than a year later for a 6th/7th round pick swap. And they gave up the #36 pick in the draft for a handful of games of Montez Sweat to close last season, a guy they could have just signed in the offseason. WTF... just inexplicable
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Poles also traded away the best LB in the NFL in Roquan Smith (aside from Fred Warner) for Pick #53 in the 2023 Draft. Have you ever heard of Gervon Smith Sr.? Me neither.
 


Gopher_In_NYC said:
Lots to be thankful in this excellent article in the Athletic regarding JJ being a team first guy always at 25🤯. It’s who he is.


Coaches at LSU needed a slot receiver during Jefferson’s junior year. None of the other receivers volunteered, so Jefferson accepted the role.

When it came time for negotiations on his record-breaking contract extension, Jefferson vowed to keep conversations private. There were no opaque social media posts, no ruckuses raised in press conferences. He did not miss a single involuntary workout.

When conversations were being had about quarterback Kirk Cousins’ future with the team, Jefferson backed Cousins while also speaking positively about the idea of a young quarterback and what that would mean.

Following Nailor’s touchdown Sunday, a pass that could have gone to him, Jefferson thrust his hands to the sky in a touchdown pose and was the first teammate there to celebrate.
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In the era of diva receivers Justin Jefferson is a breath of fresh air. So glad he's ours.
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I appreciate your thoughts and points. Way too much to disagree on to keep bantering back and forth. We'll see how each team does moving forward. Poles and Kwesi were hired at the same time; Vikings are 29-16 with 2 (likely) playoff appearances, while the Bears have gone 14-31. That's not just a few games difference. One could try to argue Kwesi inherited a better situation, but it was bad enough that the entire previous regime was shown the door.

And moving forward, looking to next year, I would have to say Vikings fans are a lot more optimistic about the future than Bears fans are today. What does the future look like in Chicago? They're looking at being the odds-on favorite to finish 4th in the NFC North next year, again.

The Claypool and Sweat deals alone should have Poles in the GM Hall of Shame. Good Lord. They gave up the #1 pick in the 2nd round of the draft for Chase Claypool, who they gave to Miami less than a year later for a 6th/7th round pick swap. And they gave up the #36 pick in the draft for a handful of games of Montez Sweat to close last season, a guy they could have just signed in the offseason. WTF... just inexplicable
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You're talking more about coaching. Does Poles have sole control over hiring/firing coaches? Or does McCaskey/Warren call that shot? The Bears have lost a lot of one score games the last two years and the Vikings have won a lot of one score games. The talent gap is very thin and that's the difference in coaching.

The Claypool trade was horrible, but how is trading back in the first and passing on Kyle Hamliton to draft Lewis Cine, and then back again giving GB Watson to taking Andrew Booth not worse?

Maybe they wanted to make sure it was going to work with Sweat before signing him for that much money? And Sweat is a really good player, worth a 2nd rounder any day.

The Bears are more settled at the QB position for the future than the Vikings are and it's the most important position. The Bears can be very good next year with the right coach.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
You're talking more about coaching. Does Poles have sole control over hiring/firing coaches? Or does McCaskey/Warren call that shot? The Bears have lost a lot of one score games the last two years and the Vikings have won a lot of one score games. The talent gap is very thin and that's the difference in coaching.

The Claypool trade was horrible, but how is trading back in the first and passing on Kyle Hamliton to draft Lewis Cine, and then back again giving GB Watson to taking Andrew Booth not worse?

Maybe they wanted to make sure it was going to work with Sweat before signing him for that much money? And Sweat is a really good player, worth a 2nd rounder any day.

The Bears are more settled at the QB position for the future than the Vikings are and it's the most important position. The Bears can be very good next year with the right coach.
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I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Never forget, the absolute pure, sheer luck that was involved with the Bears drawing the #1 overall pick to get Caleb Williams in 2024.

There were two HIGH 1st round draft pick trades made in the 2023 Draft on Draft Day, and they could not have gone further in opposite directions. The Cardinals traded for the Houston Texans 2024 1st round draft pick and the Texans were a BAD, BAD football team. The Bears traded for the Panthers 1st round pick and were also a BAD football team.

The Panthers chose Bryce Young at #1 overall, and had an absolute shit season leaving the Bears with the #1 overall pick in 2024.

The Texans, picking one pick later at #2 overall, selected CJ Stroud, went on to have an outstanding, completely unexpected season, making the playoffs and leaving the Cardinals with the #27 overall pick in the 1st round in 2024.

It was as random as that. It could very well have been the Bears sitting there with the #27 overall pick in the draft last spring.

It's worth noting, that after 3 years of Poles being at the helm in Chicago, going into Week 11, PFF had the Bears Offensive Line with the 30th rated OL in the NFL. This last week, they moved up 5 spots to 25th. In 2022, when Poles took over, the Bears finished 2022 with the 14th best OL.

How exactly is it that Poles has made this team better? Three years in control, no playoff appearances, and they are heading for 5-12 or 6-11 and another last place finish in the division.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
You're talking more about coaching. Does Poles have sole control over hiring/firing coaches? Or does McCaskey/Warren call that shot? The Bears have lost a lot of one score games the last two years and the Vikings have won a lot of one score games. The talent gap is very thin and that's the difference in coaching.

The Claypool trade was horrible, but how is trading back in the first and passing on Kyle Hamliton to draft Lewis Cine, and then back again giving GB Watson to taking Andrew Booth not worse?

Maybe they wanted to make sure it was going to work with Sweat before signing him for that much money? And Sweat is a really good player, worth a 2nd rounder any day.

The Bears are more settled at the QB position for the future than the Vikings are and it's the most important position. The Bears can be very good next year with the right coach.
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I also struggle to get past KAM's drafting history when evaluating his overall success, but he is far ahead of Poles as a GM for all the previously listed reasons IMO.

Here's a hot take:

Based on what we've seen thus far from Williams, I'd rather roll the dice on the completely unknown in McCarthy.

1. Nix (A-)
2. Daniels (B+)
3. McCarthy (TBD)
4. Williams (C+)
5. Maye (C)
 





BleedGopher said:

Skol Vikes!!
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Was kinda sorta hoping the Raiders would sign him and give him a brief audition for next year's starting gig but LOVE that the Vikings picked him up. Mullens scares me to death if Darnold gets dinged up.

No clue what plans Jones has for 2025, if he's content backing someone up (unlikely?) or wants to get a shot at starting somewhere. He's a smart guy, I'm sure he'll avoid certain places where no QB will have a chance to succeed.

SKOL!
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Never forget, the absolute pure, sheer luck that was involved with the Bears drawing the #1 overall pick to get Caleb Williams in 2024.

There were two HIGH 1st round draft pick trades made in the 2023 Draft on Draft Day, and they could not have gone further in opposite directions. The Cardinals traded for the Houston Texans 2024 1st round draft pick and the Texans were a BAD, BAD football team. The Bears traded for the Panthers 1st round pick and were also a BAD football team.

The Panthers chose Bryce Young at #1 overall, and had an absolute shit season leaving the Bears with the #1 overall pick in 2024.

The Texans, picking one pick later at #2 overall, selected CJ Stroud, went on to have an outstanding, completely unexpected season, making the playoffs and leaving the Cardinals with the #27 overall pick in the 1st round in 2024.

It was as random as that. It could very well have been the Bears sitting there with the #27 overall pick in the draft last spring.

It's worth noting, that after 3 years of Poles being at the helm in Chicago, going into Week 11, PFF had the Bears Offensive Line with the 30th rated OL in the NFL. This last week, they moved up 5 spots to 25th. In 2022, when Poles took over, the Bears finished 2022 with the 14th best OL.

How exactly is it that Poles has made this team better? Three years in control, no playoff appearances, and they are heading for 5-12 or 6-11 and another last place finish in the division.
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There’s definitely luck involved. I think Poles has upgraded the talent, especially at the skill positions on offense.
 

Slim Tubby said:
I also struggle to get past KAM's drafting history when evaluating his overall success, but he is far ahead of Poles as a GM for all the previously listed reasons IMO.

Here's a hot take:

Based on what we've seen thus far from Williams, I'd rather roll the dice on the completely unknown in McCarthy.

1. Nix (A-)
2. Daniels (B+)
3. McCarthy (TBD)
4. Williams (C+)
5. Maye (C)
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I’m very happy with JJ, but his injury and setback this season concern me. I also wasn’t a big fan of Caleb Williams, but his talent is obvious. It will take the right coach to work with him, similar to Kyler Murray.

I think all of these QBs will be good barring injury long term.
 
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GopherWeatherGuy said:
There’s definitely luck involved. I think Poles has upgraded the talent, especially at the skill positions on offense.
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I felt compelled to mention that because as a Cardinals season ticket holder, I felt the slow pain all season last season watching that Houston 1st rounder drop and drop and drop and drop. In September, I was dead sure the Cardinals would have two picks in the top 5 or so of the 2024 draft and that Texans pick sank all the way to 27th. Uggghhhh.
 



Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I felt compelled to mention that because as a Cardinals season ticket holder, I felt the slow pain all season last season watching that Houston 1st rounder drop and drop and drop and drop. In September, I was dead sure the Cardinals would have two picks in the top 5 or so of the 2024 draft and that Texans pick sank all the way to 27th. Uggghhhh.
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NFL teams go last to first and first to last every year. Another reason I wouldn’t be too quick to write off the Bears next season.

Anyways I’m very happy with the direction of the Vikings, and I also think the Cardinals are a really interesting team moving forward. I’m excited for this weeks game.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
NFL teams go last to first and first to last every year. Another reason I wouldn’t be too quick to write off the Bears next season.

Anyways I’m very happy with the direction of the Vikings, and I also think the Cardinals are a really interesting team moving forward. I’m excited for this weeks game.
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If the Bears can sign or draft a decent OT in the off-season, that would mean a few more wins.
 

BleedGopher said:

Skol Vikes!!
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Interesting.

So technically he's signed to the Vikings practice squad, Mullens will still be the backup, and another team can still sign Jones to their active roster to be their starter if they want to do that. I wonder if anyone will take a flyer like that
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
Interesting.

So technically he's signed to the Vikings practice squad, Mullens will still be the backup, and another team can still sign Jones to their active roster to be their starter if they want to do that. I wonder if anyone will take a flyer like that
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Also allows Jones to leave should he choose for a just a backup/active roster slot.
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
Interesting.

So technically he's signed to the Vikings practice squad, Mullens will still be the backup, and another team can still sign Jones to their active roster to be their starter if they want to do that. I wonder if anyone will take a flyer like that
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He probably had one or two teams that wanted him on the active roster right away.

He will be on the practice roster for a couple of weeks while he learns the playbook, then Mullens' job might be in trouble.
 

Ski U Mah Gopher said:
He probably had one or two teams that wanted him on the active roster right away.

He will be on the practice roster for a couple of weeks while he learns the playbook, then Mullens' job might be in trouble.
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Agreed. It seems that a big reason he came here was KOC.
 



Ski U Mah Gopher said:
He probably had one or two teams that wanted him on the active roster right away.

He will be on the practice roster for a couple of weeks while he learns the playbook, then Mullens' job might be in trouble.
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Yeah that makes sense. Might even just be this weekend and then he's put on the active roster next week.
 

it's only costing the Vikings $375,000 for the rest of the season. in the NFL, that is pocket change.

it's a win-win.

the Vikes add a QB who can be a better backup than Crazy Nick.

and after the season, Jones can go hunting for another starting job. If he can't find a starting job, the Vikes (I assume) would be happy to have Jones as the backup to McCarthy. Or - if McCarthy is not ready to start or his knee problems are worse than the Vikes are letting on, Jones could even wind up being the starter next season on a Darnold-like deal.

beyond that - this is amplifying the perception that free agents want to come to MN because of the coaching staff and system that seems to be very player-friendly.
 

kg21 said:
I'm not feeling it on Sunday. This has Darnold meltdown written all over it.
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Well, we did go 3-0 against the AFC South (old post, couldn't find it, but you weren't hopeful that would happen if I recall correctly) and we beat the Bears in Chicago. They may not have all been pretty, but 4-0 is 4-0.

I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm genuinely curious as to your optimism level now. Up, down, or the same?
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
FWIW, Adam Scheffler just said on NFL Live that Daniel Jones cleared waivers and is free to sign with any team, for anestimated $375K for the rest of the season. The team he signs with would likely receive a compensatory pick, if he goes to another team in free agency next season.

The two possible teams mentioned: Ravens & Vikings. I’d take a flyer on him as a possible replacement for Darnold’s veteran/reclamation project QB spot. Better option as a future backup than Mullins.
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Interesting article regarding the Jones’ signing via Alec Lewis in The Athletic.

It’s only costing a bit over $100K, not the $375K I noted in my previous post above.



Because the New York Giants released Jones last week, and because he cleared waivers, the Vikings will only have to pay Jones a smidge over $100,000. Signing with the practice squad, as opposed to the 53-man roster, also means another team could sign Jones in the event of an injury to its starter. If he is added to the Vikings’ active roster, his price tag could increase.

This is purely speculative, but Darnold’s departure would leave a void, and that’s where Jones presents another option. If Jones fits in seamlessly over the next couple of months, Darnold continues to excel before leaving this offseason for a massive payday and the Vikings need a quarterback for 2025, they’ll have already built a relationship with Jones who will be one of the better available options. Conversely, if Jones doesn’t fit, or if Darnold decides to come back, Jones can sign elsewhere, strengthening the Vikings’ formula for a compensatory pick.
 

I don't see Jones getting a guaranteed starting spot next year. He should stay in MN and be the #2 to JJ. There's a decent chance he will get decent playing time and follow Darnold's path.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Interesting article regarding the Jones’ signing via Alec Lewis in The Athletic.

It’s only costing a bit over $100K, not the $375K I noted in my previous post above.



Because the New York Giants released Jones last week, and because he cleared waivers, the Vikings will only have to pay Jones a smidge over $100,000. Signing with the practice squad, as opposed to the 53-man roster, also means another team could sign Jones in the event of an injury to its starter. If he is added to the Vikings’ active roster, his price tag could increase.

This is purely speculative, but Darnold’s departure would leave a void, and that’s where Jones presents another option. If Jones fits in seamlessly over the next couple of months, Darnold continues to excel before leaving this offseason for a massive payday and the Vikings need a quarterback for 2025, they’ll have already built a relationship with Jones who will be one of the better available options. Conversely, if Jones doesn’t fit, or if Darnold decides to come back, Jones can sign elsewhere, strengthening the Vikings’ formula for a compensatory pick.
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With J.J. McCarthyMinnesota’s only quarterback under contract for 2025, this gives both sides a chance to get a feel for each other over the remainder of the season.
 



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