2025 Vikings Season

[TheLeviathan]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

Honestly he's probably due for an extension/raise more than anything. He's out performed his contract big time. The shoulder injury might keep him at a $22 million cap hit, I have no idea the severity of it since the season is almost over. 

I think a rework/extension is far more likely.  There are plenty of snaps for all the guys this team has on the edge, Turner just needs to keep earning them.

Greenard could not be blocked last night.  We shouldn't forget just how good he is because he's had a slightly down year taking on extra blockers because Turner wasn't making people pay like Gink does.  (Turner has taken a nice step forward, but one position I'm not purposely downgrading is freaking edge rusher.)

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, gunnarthor said:

Greenard done for the season to get shoulder surgery. 

https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-2025-season/93783/jonathan-greenard-season-ending-shoulder-surgery-minnesota-vikings#comments

I would assume at this point that, unless he significantly restructures his contract, he will be cut pre-June 1.

There is no way he's getting released, he's tradable with the cap hit of $22.3M with $0M guaranteed money. I'd earmark we could get a 2nd rounder for him or you just restructure the cap hit. That is assuming the shoulder injury is not a career-altering one.

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

They need Turner to take his place and save some money. 

It would be cool if Turner could, but he's had 1 pressure the past two games despite playing nearly the same number of snaps as Greenard (9 pressures in that span). Greenard has done a poor job getting sacks, but he's still getting pressures like you'd expect out of a #1 edge rusher and Turner is playing alright, but he's not at that level.

I'm down for the team getting younger and getting a draft pick for Greenard, but the issue is that I think an edge room of Van Ginkel and Turner is going to be underwhelming. Seeing how Flores has groomed Turner to be AVG's replacement given how often he drops back into coverage, it'd be more ideal for the pairing to be Greenard and Turner, but they gave AVG a 1/$23M extension so he'll be back in 2026.

[nicksaviking]

11 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Please don't. That said, McCarthy seems like the kind of guy people (well, some fans) like on their team, but hate on the other team. Just guessing here.....

I've been saying for quite some time that most of the top end QBs I'd probably dislike if I were to hang out with them. I'm quite confident McCarthy would find himself in that category for me, should he ever be an elite QB. 

And it's a trade off I'd gladly embrace. But I do have to say, if you're NOT a top end QB and you have those qualities, I don't think they'll go over well or the guy will last in the league long. I'd guess fans, players and coaches are going to see those traits as very, very unearned.

[gunnarthor]

11 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Wut? Pre June 1 cut per Spotrac:

2026 Dead Cap: $9,900,000

2026 Savings: $12,400,000

We're not gonna cut him for $3.5 million savings on the cap. 

Yep, I'm wrong. I thought his dead cap was a lot lower. My bad. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I've been saying for quite some time that most of the top end QBs I'd probably dislike if I were to hang out with them. I'm quite confident McCarthy would find himself in that category for me, should he ever be an elite QB. 

And it's a trade off I'd gladly embrace. But I do have to say, if you're NOT a top end QB and you have those qualities, I don't think they'll go over well or the guy will last in the league long. I'd guess fans, players and coaches are going to see those traits as very, very unearned.

I'm guessing I'd not like most pro athletes, given what we read.... luckily, you can just root for jerseys. 

[Vanimal46]

I’m at a loss why we haven’t shut down Darrisaw for the year when he’s still not practicing due to his ongoing knee injury? Great LT are hard to find, so get him ready to go next year while we play out the remaining 3 games. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m at a loss why we haven’t shut down Darrisaw for the year when he’s still not practicing due to his ongoing knee injury? Great LT are hard to find, so get him ready to go next year while we play out the remaining 3 games. 

Ya. I've changed my mind, and want him shut down.

[TheLeviathan]

16 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m at a loss why we haven’t shut down Darrisaw for the year when he’s still not practicing due to his ongoing knee injury? Great LT are hard to find, so get him ready to go next year while we play out the remaining 3 games. 

Zero upside.  Play Walter Rouse there and let's see what we got for a few games.  Let Darrisaw rest and recover.

[Danchat]

19 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I’m at a loss why we haven’t shut down Darrisaw for the year when he’s still not practicing due to his ongoing knee injury?

It's been a bizarre situation, he was on the active roster (not on PUP list) when training camp started in late July only 8 months after the ACL tear... and now Matthew Coller on his blog stated that Kevin O'Connell heavily implied that Darrisaw had a "much worse than usual ACL tear". If that was actually true then he should have been on ice until November or the like. Really stupid management whether it be Darrisaw pushing to play or the Vikings being reckless.

3 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

Zero upside.  Play Walter Rouse there and let's see what we got for a few games.  Let Darrisaw rest and recover.

Well I got news for you, Rouse was a healthy scratch last week despite Darrisaw being inactive. Brandel was the gameday backup LT and RT... they have zero faith in Rouse and he's probably not on the roster next year. It looks like Rouse and Jurgens are flops, not exactly surprising for 6th/7th round picks.

[gunnarthor]

I kinda agree that Darrisaw should just fully heal at this point but it's probably not quite that simple. I don't know but suspect he has certain incentives in his contract so playing more gets him more money. He's also probably incredibly competitive and doesn't want to sit. And football teams tend to reward and nurture that kind of thinking - even forward thinking orgs like the Vikings - so he has the football culture to keep him on the field as well. I'm sure his line coach is whispering in his ear, "man, JJ's finally coming around, we want you protecting his backside so he can keep developing. You're the man."

[Danchat]

Well there you go. It was fairly clear this was going to happen when Christian said he couldn't answer whether he would play again. That's now Greenard, Metellus, and Darrisaw hitting the IR in the past week.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Danchat said:

It's been a bizarre situation, he was on the active roster (not on PUP list) when training camp started in late July only 8 months after the ACL tear... and now Matthew Coller on his blog stated that Kevin O'Connell heavily implied that Darrisaw had a "much worse than usual ACL tear". If that was actually true then he should have been on ice until November or the like. Really stupid management whether it be Darrisaw pushing to play or the Vikings being reckless.

Well I got news for you, Rouse was a healthy scratch last week despite Darrisaw being inactive. Brandel was the gameday backup LT and RT... they have zero faith in Rouse and he's probably not on the roster next year. It looks like Rouse and Jurgens are flops, not exactly surprising for 6th/7th round picks.

I've been trying to tell others that Rouse isn't on the team next year, given they don't even roster him.....but I'd give him a shot, maybe half hte plays, to see if there is anything there. Games are different than practice. 

[Vanimal46]

Rest up and be ready to go for the offseason. It’s the right call to shut Darrisaw down 

[The Great Hambino]

I hope they're planning on a lot of Oliver & Ham in max protect schemes if they plan on letting Rouse be involved in any way.  It's not a simple as "just give him a shot and see what happens" when it puts the young QB you've staked your entire professional reputation on in a shooting gallery

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

I hope they're planning on a lot of Oliver & Ham in max protect schemes if they plan on letting Rouse be involved in any way.  It's not a simple as "just give him a shot and see what happens" when it puts the young QB you've staked your entire professional reputation on in a shooting gallery

If he's awful, bring in Brandel or whomever......I have very little faith, but you also have to try (or not, I think he's gone anyway).

[Aggies7]

Incredible 

 

[gunnarthor]

1 hour ago, Aggies7 said:

Incredible 

 

Flores really has this defense rolling well. One of the reasons I'm a bit suspect on PFF grades is because it doesn't like Vikings defenders even though it's a really strong group.

[TheLeviathan]

2 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Flores really has this defense rolling well. One of the reasons I'm a bit suspect on PFF grades is because it doesn't like Vikings defenders even though it's a really strong group.

Pass rush has really ramped up the last few weeks.  I don't think that's by accident - Gink is back, Greenard was playing like a man possessed, and Dallas Turner has really come into his own.  (A couple sacks claimed by other dudes were started by his pressure yesterday)

Jonathan Allen was even visible yesterday in the pass rush!

Pretty impressive and the last 6 games haven't been a cakewalk of QBs by any stretch.

[TheLeviathan]

On 12/19/2025 at 1:54 PM, The Great Hambino said:

I hope they're planning on a lot of Oliver & Ham in max protect schemes if they plan on letting Rouse be involved in any way.  It's not a simple as "just give him a shot and see what happens" when it puts the young QB you've staked your entire professional reputation on in a shooting gallery

I understand that...but now that it's Brosmer we just throw all caution to the wind right?  :)

On that note....there is no way you put McCarthy out there if he couldn't even hold a football on Sunday.  He's done.  Shut him down.

[nicksaviking]

50 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Pass rush has really ramped up the last few weeks.  I don't think that's by accident - Gink is back, Greenard was playing like a man possessed, and Dallas Turner has really come into his own.  (A couple sacks claimed by other dudes were started by his pressure yesterday)

Jonathan Allen was even visible yesterday in the pass rush!

Pretty impressive and the last 6 games haven't been a cakewalk of QBs by any stretch.

Eric Wilson has surprisingly been awesome as well.

[Vanimal46]

0 pro bowlers for the Vikings. A pretty big indictment on the current regime. Regular season win percentage be damned… At this point in Zimmer’s tenure, he had 2 playoff wins, a 3rd win had Blair Walsh not miss a chip shot FG. And nearly a dozen pro bowlers on roster. This is not where we want to be after 4 years of Kwesi and KOC 

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

0 pro bowlers for the Vikings. A pretty big indictment on the current regime. Regular season win percentage be damned… At this point in Zimmer’s tenure, he had 2 playoff wins, a 3rd win had Blair Walsh not miss a chip shot FG. And nearly a dozen pro bowlers on roster. This is not where we want to be after 4 years of Kwesi and KOC 

I'm hard pressed to blame KOC, given the **** QBs he's worked with over time.....but the GM? Gotta go. 

[gunnarthor]

16 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

0 pro bowlers for the Vikings. A pretty big indictment on the current regime. Regular season win percentage be damned… At this point in Zimmer’s tenure, he had 2 playoff wins, a 3rd win had Blair Walsh not miss a chip shot FG. And nearly a dozen pro bowlers on roster. This is not where we want to be after 4 years of Kwesi and KOC 

Zimmer/Speilman first four years together - 39-25, 2 playoff appearances, 1 win 

KOC/KAM first four years together - 41-25, 2 playoff appearances, 0 wins.

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, gunnarthor said:

Zimmer/Speilman first four years together - 39-25, 2 playoff appearances, 1 win 

KOC/KAM first four years together - 41-25, 2 playoff appearances, 0 wins.

 

Where is the long term success going to come from, given these drafts? Because their best players are from the previous regimes and FAs. 

[gunnarthor]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Where is the long term success going to come from, given these drafts? Because their best players are from the previous regimes and FAs. 

I think they current group has shown they can create good rosters. Both this year and 2023 failed because of QB injuries. If Cousins stayed healthy, that team probably holds off the Lions. If McCarthy had stayed healthy this year, I think they would've made the playoffs. But it does seem like that Vikings have done better than expectations based on injuries to the QB position. Which says good things about the current regime. 

Speilman was given 15 years as GM. Zimmer 8 as head coach. This group has earned a lot more time.

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

I think they current group has shown they can create good rosters. Both this year and 2023 failed because of QB injuries. If Cousins stayed healthy, that team probably holds off the Lions. If McCarthy had stayed healthy this year, I think they would've made the playoffs. But it does seem like that Vikings have done better than expectations based on injuries to the QB position. Which says good things about the current regime. 

Speilman was given 15 years as GM. Zimmer 8 as head coach. This group has earned a lot more time.

I'm not arguing the coach should go....but the fact they've had to overperform speaks to what people think about the talent. Speilman staying too long isn't the argument you think it is, imo. Also, the Giants threw that game, 100%. And, the previous weeks weren't against teams trying all that hard, IMO. So I'm not sure how to judge this team (esp. the D). 

In any event, we've been over this, and we disagree.

As for this game, just lose baby.

 

[gunnarthor]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

 

As for this game, just lose baby.

 

Ignoring the rest, I want McCarthy to play and develop. That's more important and, if he does it well, then we win. So develop and win, baby.

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

Ignoring the rest, I want McCarthy to play and develop. That's more important and, if he does it well, then we win. So develop and win, baby.

Is he playing this week? 

[gunnarthor]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Is he playing this week? 

Hasn't been ruled one way or the other yet. I'm hoping he does. If he doesn't, losing is better for draft and next year's schedule so, I'm ok with it. Plus I probably won't watch much of it since it's Christmas. 

[Cap'n Piranha]

1 hour ago, gunnarthor said:

I think they current group has shown they can create good rosters. Both this year and 2023 failed because of QB injuries. If Cousins stayed healthy, that team probably holds off the Lions. If McCarthy had stayed healthy this year, I think they would've made the playoffs. But it does seem like that Vikings have done better than expectations based on injuries to the QB position. Which says good things about the current regime. 

Speilman was given 15 years as GM. Zimmer 8 as head coach. This group has earned a lot more time.

KAM has not, based entirely on his draft record, and I'll prove it to you, using your own logic.  Let's use your hit/non-hit criteria (widely debunked by Leviathan and myself, but let's go with it).  In his 4 drafts, using the most generous interpretation of hit, KAM has had 11 hits (Ingram, Nailor, Addison, Blackmon, JJM, Turner, Reichard, Jurgens, LDR, Jackson, TID).  In his last 4 drafts, Spielman had 17 (O'Neill, Conklin, Carlson, Bradbury, Mattison, Watts, Epps, Boyd, Udoh, Jefferson, Cleveland, Wonnum, Osborn, Brandel, Metellus, Darrisaw, and Bynum).

So.  You can either admit that KAM has been a terrible drafter (and since the only way to build a consistent contender is by drafting at least competently, and in reality, well), or you can admit that the Vikings never should have fired Spielman, since he's clearly a superior drafter than KAM.  Your choice.