All Things 2025 Minnesota Vikings In-Season Thread

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

i can't say i agree, particularly when mixed with what people are talking about with restructuring and needing to cut or trade guys to make the cap work as has been alluded to unless you're restructuring them all and prolonging cap hell

QB: need 1; you need someone to come and compete with McCarthy though given where he's at as well as his health.

They'll be adding someone to compete with JJM, no doubt about it. It will be a veteran with at least somewhat of a proven history, not just someone to hold the clipboard. They have no choice.

RB: need at least 1 contributor; combined Mason (5.8m) and Jones (14.8) cost you 20mil with their contract bumps and Chandlers contract is up. You need a FA or to draft one and I hate that 15mil cap hit for Jones who can't stay healthy and restructuring him just keeps him rostered more years.

RB is interesting for sure. Yes, Mason and Jones can't stay. Most would agree to keep Mason, despite the benefit of Jones in the locker room. I guess he could stay for a SMALL deal but I doubt it. It's interesting that Chandler has basically been a healthy scratch recently, as I think he's been healthy the last few weeks. Do they love Xavier Scott? Or just dislike Chandler that much? Either way, they'll be adding an RB

OL: need 1 for sure; Idk what to make of Darrisaw (this is very very weird) but you for sure need at minimum one new guy in the middle 3 and you need to add depth (Jurgens is a good multi position depth guy, not a starter). ONeill needs and extension. Darrisaw may never be the same and that's one of the most worrisome pieces to me. I would assume they cut Kelly

They'll draft OL, for sure. I actually thought of this the other day, albeit really far-fetched; if an OT they loved slipped to them in the 1st, could they trade O'Neill and draft his replacement. That would save a lot of money on the books. Doubtful though

DT: you'll need a DT. You can't pay Hargrave and Allen 42 mil combined. Then they've got to pay Redmond.

Hargrave is gone, that's pretty much a given. Allen is 2 yrs younger and was basically solid. With what they clearly like in Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and even Elijah Williams (and Ingram-Dawkins), I don't know that it's the most glaring position of need? Day 3 pick perhaps, and some action in the UDFA market.

DE: this is one where it could get interesting with trading someone. Gink and Greenard both missed time and Turner has looked pretty good. That said, they will need at least one more guy here but should be a depth guy

What they do here might tell us what they think of their development guys like Tyler Batty, Gabe Murphy, Richter, Chambliss, Keys, et al

LB: Wilson and Pace both are up. you need 2 LBs (or to resign them who will both be more expensive than their current deals)
CB: Will need depth/slot corners but I'd assume they're rolling with Murphy and Rodgers
S: I assume Harry retires so will need a safety

It will be an interesting offseason. I'm anxious to see what they do at QB. They might be able to attract someone with some talent and history, knowing there is an avenue to the starting gig. I think interested QBs will see more of an opportunity NEXT season than they did for this last season. It was obvious to everyone on the planet that it was JJM's job in 2025; I think interested FA's will think that's at least a LITTLE less so for 2026.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Just looking at Tankathon and the draft order, it really doesn't look like the Vikings will move much in these last two weeks, no matter what happens around them. With the Vikings SOS, sitting at 7-8, wins by any of the 6-win teams in front of them won't move the needle as all of those teams have SOS weaker than the Vikings.

They are sitting at #15 right now. Dallas could win their last two and drop below the Vikings; Cincinnati could win their last two and maybe drop below the Vikings. With Brosmer likely starting (?), I don't see the Vikings having a lot of success in their last two games.

Even if they did win a game, it would hardly drop them much.

 

[upnorthkid]

Just looking at Tankathon and the draft order, it really doesn't look like the Vikings will move much in these last two weeks, no matter what happens around them. With the Vikings SOS, sitting at 7-8, wins by any of the 6-win teams in front of them won't move the needle as all of those teams have SOS weaker than the Vikings.

They are sitting at #15 right now. Dallas could win their last two and drop below the Vikings; Cincinnati could win their last two and maybe drop below the Vikings. With Brosmer likely starting (?), I don't see the Vikings having a lot of success in their last two games.

Even if they did win a game, it would hardly drop them much.

yeah we've now condemned ourselves to being the borderline missing the playoffs grouping and not having a high draft pick. agree with you 100% that really only dallas with a chance to pass us based on who they play and who's around us. 15 will get a little tight to get some of the top flight guys given a weak qb draft class that's going to diminish trading up and see more teams go "best available"

 

[jamiche]

They'll be adding someone to compete with JJM, no doubt about it. It will be a veteran with at least somewhat of a proven history, not just someone to hold the clipboard. They have no choice.



RB is interesting for sure. Yes, Mason and Jones can't stay. Most would agree to keep Mason, despite the benefit of Jones in the locker room. I guess he could stay for a SMALL deal but I doubt it. It's interesting that Chandler has basically been a healthy scratch recently, as I think he's been healthy the last few weeks. Do they love Xavier Scott? Or just dislike Chandler that much? Either way, they'll be adding an RB



They'll draft OL, for sure. I actually thought of this the other day, albeit really far-fetched; if an OT they loved slipped to them in the 1st, could they trade O'Neill and draft his replacement. That would save a lot of money on the books. Doubtful though


Hargrave is gone, that's pretty much a given. Allen is 2 yrs younger and was basically solid. With what they clearly like in Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and even Elijah Williams (and Ingram-Dawkins), I don't know that it's the most glaring position of need? Day 3 pick perhaps, and some action in the UDFA market.



What they do here might tell us what they think of their development guys like Tyler Batty, Gabe Murphy, Richter, Chambliss, Keys, et al


It will be an interesting offseason. I'm anxious to see what they do at QB. They might be able to attract someone with some talent and history, knowing there is an avenue to the starting gig. I think interested QBs will see more of an opportunity NEXT season than they did for this last season. It was obvious to everyone on the planet that it was JJM's job in 2025; I think interested FA's will think that's at least a LITTLE less so for 2026.

Ogie,

What do you think about the rumors that Burrow wants out of Cincy and that this might be one of his preferred landing spots? What do you think it would take to get him? Pie in the sky?

 

[Ope3]

Ogie,

What do you think about the rumors that Burrow wants out of Cincy and that this might be one of his preferred landing spots? What do you think it would take to get him? Pie in the sky?

Burrow seems as durable as JJM.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Ogie,

What do you think about the rumors that Burrow wants out of Cincy and that this might be one of his preferred landing spots? What do you think it would take to get him? Pie in the sky?

My offer would be two (2) FRPs and JJM. It's a very steep price for a guy that's 29 and has been injury prone but I still do it to get off the treadmill.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Ogie,

What do you think about the rumors that Burrow wants out of Cincy and that this might be one of his preferred landing spots? What do you think it would take to get him? Pie in the sky?

I think there is an almost zero chance that Cincy lets Burrow go, although they could for a king's ransom; and I think there's an almost zero chance that this Front Office would ever make a move like that. And....

I think a deal like this, you would really have to dive into the math on the Value of what you have to give up and considering KAM is a Wall Street, numbers guy, I don't think he would ever think the Value is there to make that move.

Burrow seems as durable as JJM.

There's that too, although if Burrow really IS at least hypothetically on the market, I think there would be a few teams desperate enough to make that move. And it could pan out, you never know.

I think if Cincy is willing to let Burrow go, you just burn the whole thing down and start from scratch, starting with letting Zac Taylor go, who I have never been convinced is a very good HC at all. Trade Burrow, maybe even 1 of the WRs if you can find a taker, get a hard-nosed Defensive-minded Head Coach that can build a tough team to win in the elements of the AFC North, and find a QB at the top of the 2027 draft

 

[Ope3]

My offer would be two (2) FRPs and JJM. It's a very steep price for a guy that's 29 and has been injury prone but I still do it to get off the treadmill.

That's at least in the ballpark for what Detroit received for Stafford (Goff, 2FRP & and a 3rd Rd pick) from the LA Rams.

Burrow is a few years younger than Stafford was when that trade happened.

 

[Slim Tubby]

That's at least in the ballpark for what Detroit received for Stafford (Goff, 2FRP & and a 3rd Rd pick) from the LA Rams.

Burrow is a few years younger than Stafford was when that trade happened.

Good comparison. I'm probably light on my offer but the price of that trade for the Rams is virtually nothing after winning the SB.

I highly doubt CIN trades him but Burrow could make it very difficult for them if he truly wants out.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

yeah we've now condemned ourselves to being the borderline missing the playoffs grouping and not having a high draft pick. agree with you 100% that really only dallas with a chance to pass us based on who they play and who's around us. 15 will get a little tight to get some of the top flight guys given a weak qb draft class that's going to diminish trading up and see more teams go "best available"

This is the Viking way

 

[Spaulding!No!]

My offer would be two (2) FRPs and JJM. It's a very steep price for a guy that's 29 and has been injury prone but I still do it to get off the treadmill.

This would be a full admission of error. Will not happen

 

[Slim Tubby]

This would be a full admission of error. Will not happen

Most likely, but it could if we move on from the GM that drafted him first.

 

[Slim Tubby]

That's at least in the ballpark for what Detroit received for Stafford (Goff, 2FRP & and a 3rd Rd pick) from the LA Rams.

Burrow is a few years younger than Stafford was when that trade happened.

I can't think of another player that is potentially available who would give us a better chance to win a SB in the next 2-3 years than Burrow.

I still agree that CIN is unlikely to move him for the exact same reason other teams would be frantically trying to acquire him.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

It's the Max Brosmer show, once again. On a short week, no less

 

[golf]

Brosmer locks up the 4th place schedule for us against the Lions. Then get JJ back to further his growth the next Sunday. Very good.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Most of the time, I think this is fairly overplayed in significance but in the case of the Vikings and the NFC North, this could be a pretty damn substantial difference.

The 4th place in the NFC North will likely get:
- NY Giants, TN Titans, and AZ Cardinals

The 3rd place in the NFC North will likely get:
- WSH Commanders, Indy Colts, and the lowest place NFC West finishing team between Seattle, SF 49ers, and the LA Rams.

That is one massive scheduling difference

 

[Ope3]

Most of the time, I think this is fairly overplayed in significance but in the case of the Vikings and the NFC North, this could be a pretty damn substantial difference.

The 4th place in the NFC North will likely get:
- NY Giants, TN Titans, and AZ Cardinals

The 3rd place in the NFC North will likely get:
- WSH Commanders, Indy Colts, and the lowest place NFC West finishing team between Seattle, SF 49ers, and the LA Rams.

That is one massive scheduling difference

For 2025, I think it was enough of a difference to the Bears to be ahead of the Lions & Packers, slightly in the standings.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

For 2025, I think it was enough of a difference to the Bears to be ahead of the Lions & Packers, slightly in the standings.

There's an absolutely Zero chance that the Bears will duplicate their Turnover advantage in 2026; Leading the league, by a wide margin, in TO Margin and Takeaways Per Game. That's just not sustainable. That, and the schedule difficulty, I'd be surprised if they finish above 500.

You have to give Ben Johnson some major props for this season though. He knows Caleb Williams just isn't a top-tier QB and can't carry the team, and he just plain ran the living shit out of the football, protecting Williams from hurting the team and losing games.

The Bears:

#2 in Rush Attempts per Game
#2 in Rush Yards per Game
#3 in Yards per Rush

I love KOC as a HC but I would love it if he brought in someone else to call the plays on offense next year. It won't happen, but I think he needs to at least think about it.

 

[Ope3]

NFL Announces Pro-Bowl Players (which I think is stupid to begin with given there are 2 games left to play):

2026 NFL Pro Bowl AFC, NFC rosters: The league's top players

The Ravens, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks each had six players chosen to lead the way.

www.espn.com

Here's the list of all the Vikings that received the Honor:





.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to miss Christmas game vs. Lions with hairline fracture in hand​

Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions. He injured his right hand late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, and coach Kevin O’Connell ruled him out on Tuesday after testing revealed a small hairline fracture.

“It’s a bummer,” O’Connell said. “It’s been really fun. Although the week-to-week judgment of players and decisions and all these things that are noise, I understand it all. But the most fun part of this, and the most real part of this, is coaching a young player on his journey where we’ve started to see things click for him.”

McCarthy’s status for the Week 18 matchup with the Green Bay Packers is uncertain, but the team does not think he will require surgery, and he will not be placed on injured reserve. O’Connell said his progress will depend on grip strength.

In the short term, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will start on Christmas Day against the Lions. The longer-term ramifications are more significant.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

With the way the season played out, it feels like a Darnold led Vikings team could have won it all. Jus typin.

 

[upnorthkid]

There's an absolutely Zero chance that the Bears will duplicate their Turnover advantage in 2026; Leading the league, by a wide margin, in TO Margin and Takeaways Per Game. That's just not sustainable. That, and the schedule difficulty, I'd be surprised if they finish above 500.

You have to give Ben Johnson some major props for this season though. He knows Caleb Williams just isn't a top-tier QB and can't carry the team, and he just plain ran the living shit out of the football, protecting Williams from hurting the team and losing games.

The Bears:

#2 in Rush Attempts per Game
#2 in Rush Yards per Game
#3 in Yards per Rush

I love KOC as a HC but I would love it if he brought in someone else to call the plays on offense next year. It won't happen, but I think he needs to at least think about it.

They did the same thing in Detroit despite all the weapons. It is very much Johnson’s MO to hammer the rock and PA pass.

 

[GopherGrit]

Perhaps the Bears are looking at what the Chiefs are doing by moving from Missouri to Kansas, which is apparently a done deal.

Chiefs' move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken over another NFL franchise leaving

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced plans to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas.

apnews.com

The Royals might not be too far behind.

Wow, Missouri has lost a lot of pro-franchise from all 4 majors.

MLB - Kansas City A's
NHL - Kansas City Scouts
NFL - St Louis (football) Cardinals, St Louis Rams & Kansas City (Mo) Chiefs
NBA - St Louis Hawks & Kansas City Kings

Also the ABA Spirits of St Louis were folded as part of the NBA Merger.

That is quite the history of losing teams.

I'm sure you agree that a team moving across state lines but staying in the same metro area, does not count the same.

 

[GopherGrit]

Bizarre ending in Detroit today.

Lions got too cute on the doorstep. 1st Down with a time out left, clock under 30 seconds. Should have ran.

Now the Christmas Day game also could have the NFL North 4th Place schedule on the line for the Lions-Vikes.

Obviously have to give Steelers a ton of credit, as well. Think that might be the AFC team I root for in the playoffs this year, with Thielen getting to have a nice farewell role. They have a great QB too, who hasn't missed nearly as much time as McCarthy!

Now that Brosmer is starting the game, we should be able to pencil it in as a loss. Winning would be stupid.

 

[GopherGrit]

If it's jumped, you throw it in the dirt and live for another play.

It was a learning moment.

McCarthy seems to be doing a lot of learning via pain

 

[GopherGrit]

DO NOT WIN ON THURSDAY

DO NOT WIN ON THURSDAY

DO NOT WIN ON THURSDAY

You will drop again in the draft (12 to 15 yesterday), you will give up the last place schedule next year, and you will put the packers in the playoffs.

There is nothing good to come out of a win. Therefore, I predict they will win.

Agree 100%.

But wait a second ... I brought this up a couple weeks ago after beating Washington and your response was "Meh, doesn't matter, we didn't move much". What changed?

 

[GopherGrit]

You are right that they don't care about the draft. They've been f------g it up for years now.

Hopefully Turner has turned (hehe) a corner.

Meanwhile, Jared Verse is 2 for 2 on Pro Bowls and named a starter.

 

[GopherGrit]

yeah we've now condemned ourselves to being the borderline missing the playoffs grouping and not having a high draft pick. agree with you 100% that really only dallas with a chance to pass us based on who they play and who's around us. 15 will get a little tight to get some of the top flight guys given a weak qb draft class that's going to diminish trading up and see more teams go "best available"

Wash and Giants were never going to lose to us. They were always going to find ways to lose those.

We didn't need to beat Dallas. But it did make fans feel good.

We'll lose to Detroit with 3rd stringer Brosmer at the helm.

 

[GopherGrit]

Burrow seems as durable as JJM.

One has started 75 regular season games and 7 playoff games including a SB over six seasons.

The other has started 9 regular season games over two seasons.

Good take

 

[GopherGrit]

I can't think of another player that is potentially available who would give us a better chance to win a SB in the next 2-3 years than Burrow.

I still agree that CIN is unlikely to move him for the exact same reason other teams would be frantically trying to acquire him.

"Potentially available" doing heavy lifting ... that might as well be any QB in the league.

I know, I know, the dumb thing about the dumb thing he said. Turned it into a talker that had no right to be. Alas, such is the league and this sport ... 90% talk, 10% action.